Abstract: A method and apparatus for gripping lifting and transporting a sheet, especially a textile sheet, from a stack of sheets. The apparatus has a plurality of substantially vertically oriented gripping mounted under and depending downward from a substantially horizontal holder. Each device has at its downward terminal end a pair of clamping jaws. Each clamping jaw has a plurality of pointed tip members depending downwardly from its edge adjacent the other jaw. A plurality of spaced-apart finger grippers are rotatably disposable to a position beneath the clamping jaws. Each gripping device is preferably arranged with respect to another so that its downward terminal end is in a different horizontal plane from each other juxtaposed device.