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Adams & Co. (Boston) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Adams & Co. was a publishing company in Boston, Massachusetts, during the mid-1800s. It was known for publishing books by authors who believed in Spiritualism, which was a popular belief system at the time about communicating with spirits. The company also sold many fun parlour games, like "Oliver Twist." John S. Adams and George L. Stafford ran the business. Their offices were in different parts of Boston, including Bromfield Street, Pearl Street, and Tremont Street.

Fun Games and Cool Novelties

Adams & Co. sold many interesting "games and novelties." These were popular items for people to play and enjoy at home. Here are some of the cool things they offered:

  • Budget of Wonders
  • The Chopped-Up Monkey
  • The Conjuror's Puzzle
  • The Cryptograph
  • The Electric Cannon
  • The Electric Cottage, "... by an explosion without powder or fire this cottage is thrown high in air, the experiment being perfectly safe."
  • Eskemo
  • The Feast of Flowers, "a floral game of fortune"
  • Forced Confessions
  • Fun Alive
  • Go–Bang, a Japanese Verandah Game; Stay–Bang and Slam–Bang
  • The Great Egg-Trick, "as performed by Moulabux, of the Asiatic Troupe at the Crystal Palace, London"
  • Humorous Authors
  • Invisible Ink
  • The Invisible Money-Box
  • Invisible Photographs
  • Japanese Curiosos
  • Japanese Egg
  • Japanese Snapping Pictures
  • Komikal Konversation Kards
  • Labyrinthian Puzzles
  • The Love Chase
  • The Magi Divination Cards
  • The Magic Bottle
  • Magic Picture Cards
  • The Magic Wonder Telescope
  • The Magician's Own Cards
  • Match and Catch
  • Mixed Pickles
  • The Moslem Oracle
  • The Most Laughable Thing on Earth
  • Mystic Scrolls
  • Oliver Twist
  • Parlor Ring-Toss
  • The Pigeon-Tail Puzzle
  • Pocket Conjuring Box
  • Popping the Question
  • Puzzle Porridge
  • Santa Claus Magical Christmas Box
  • The Shakesperian Oracle
  • The Seven Racers
  • The Spiral Puzzle
  • The Squirming Fish
  • Three Merry Men
  • Tom Thumb's Comical Fortune Teller
  • Trade and Dicker
  • Tumble-Down Dick
  • Which is the Largest?
  • The Wizard's Pack of Playing Cards
  • Zarofiel

Books Published by Adams & Co.

Besides games, Adams & Co. also published books. One example is Psalms of Life by John Stowell Adams. This shows they were involved in both entertainment and literature.

1871 psalms Adams andCo Boston ad YearBook of Spiritualism
An advertisement from 1871 for Psalms of Life, a book published by Adams & Co.

Images for kids

  • 1865 croquet Adams and Co Boston

    How to Play Croquet, 1865

  • 1867 OliverTwist game Adams BromfieldSt Boston ad EverySaturday

    An advertisement from 1867 for the "Oliver Twist" game, based on characters by Charles Dickens.

  • 1869 Cryptograph Adams andCo Boston LC

    "Cryptograph," a puzzle game from 1869.

  • 1869 Feast ofFlowers Adams andCo Boston NYHistoricalSociety

    "Feast of Flowers, a Floral Game of Fortune," published in 1869.

  • 1869 WinterSt Nanitz map Boston detail BPL10490

    A detailed map of Boston from the 1860s, showing Bromfield Street where Adams & Co. had an office.

See Also