Item 10: Tappet [cam] and dobby looms, 1965

Gelatin silver print snapshot. Image depicts three looms in Lancashire, England. Front to back, they are a possible Crompton & Knowles tappet (the British term for cam) loom, with a box dobby and 34" reed space; a possible Crompton & Knowles dobby loom, with 30" reed space, probably a silk loom; and a definite Crompton & Knowles loom with patent dates 1888 to July 30, 1897. The first two have no maker's name visible but are thought to be Crompton & Knowles. Manufactured in 1897 or later, as the Crompton Loom Works and the Knowles Loom Works merged in 1897 to form Crompton & Knowles Loom Works. 15.5 x 10 cm.