Hi Alex,
I read your article on the W&G company with interest. My great,
great grandfather was William Wonnacott, President of the Wilcox
and Gibbs Sewing machine company. William was English and based
in London. I know very little of his life story but
I am aware from the gold pens that he
was awarded that he worked for the company for an amazing
82 years! It’s not quite a world record unfortunately.
Many thanks,
Rob
RGarwood@millenniumglobal.com
Hi Alex , my name is Joanne
I have been browsing
your fabulous guide on the Wilcox
and Gibbs chainstitch sewing machine.
I bought mine for 100 pounds. It sews
fabulous and going from your diagrams
I was able to thread it and sew first time. I did the dating off
your guide and my machine is dated 1883.
It has been
invaluable and think it's fabulous I really do.
Joanne Oldham
England
Mr.
Askaroff,
I just read your superbly researched article on the Willcox &
Gibbs sewing machines.
I have just started my second history blog, Rockbridge Memory,
in which I will publish articles about people and events in that
region that interest me.
All the best,
Patrick Sullivan
Most of us know the name Singer but few are aware of
his amazing life story, his rags to riches journey from a little runaway
to one of the richest men of his age. The story of Isaac Merritt Singer
will blow your mind, his wives and lovers his castles and palaces all
built on the back of one of the greatest inventions of the 19th century.
For the first time the most complete story of a forgotten giant is
brought to you by Alex Askaroff.
Alex
I was very impressed with the
information you have assembled on the Willcox & Gibbs. Thank
you.
J C USA
Alex.
I recall the use of chain stitch sewing machines used at State
Farm Insurance (here in Monroe, La) to sew new pages to existing
client folder pages. When needed, the page was removed by
clipping the “unravel” end of the chain stitch and zipping it
out. When pages were added to the folder, they were simply
stitched back. The real advantage was no staples and staple
clutter.
I recall seeing this being done in the 1963-63 era.
Warmest regards,
David Furr
Hi Alex,
I’ve really enjoyed reading your book
about Willcox & Gibbs.
I share your obvious passion for the industry. I’ve been in
the business since I was an early teen when my father worked
for Sunbrand (a Division of Willcox & Gibbs) in the sewing
machine business. So the W&G symbol will always shine a
bright light in my warehouse and offices where me and 4 of
my 5 brothers and sisters are still pounding out machines,
parts & supplies for the U.S. apparel industry every day.
I have recently heard that a German fellow bought the
Willcox & Gibbs name. Gird Lesmeister, (spelling maybe
out) owns Pfaff USA.
Best Regards,
Randy Collier
Collier Equipment Co.
www.SewTrain.com
Alex,
I have a W&G machine I live near Raphine in Rockbridge Co and
had no idea Mr. Gibbs was from here. We are steeped in the Civil
War in these parts. On September 11 there is going to be a
re-enactment and the troops will be marching from this area to
Lexington. Our little Brownsburg Museum
has a terrific exhibit on the war in Rockbridge.
Thank you so much for your great research on Gibbs.
Jeanne Alexander
Hi Alex,
Henry Sharpe, the retired director of Brown & Sharpe, has hired
me to write a book about his family’s former company. In
researching the early days of the company I came across your
work. What a story Gibbs is!
Thanks for putting that together. Take care,
Gerald “Ged” Carbone
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-NVWFkm0sA&list=UL
