W. S. Reed
History
The W. S. Reed Toy Company, founded in 1875 in Leominster,
Massachusetts, produced many beautiful wooden toys until the early 1900s. Most
of their toys had lithographed images applied in the style of Bliss. Some,
however, had images rubber stamped onto wooden cutouts as shown in the great
Reed Circus shown below.
Reed Circus
The Reed circus was assembled around a center spoke that was driven by a hand
turned crank and pulley arrangement. The performers were attached to the center
spoke with dowels. The performer's legs and arms were articulated using a metal
eyelet at the joints.
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Lady rider on
white horse.
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Clown and monkey.
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Clown horse rider.
The Reed circus is
held together with
small dowels.
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Reed Games
Reed made many popular games. They are beautifully lithographed. The World's
Educator game shown here from about 1890.
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Beautifully lithographed paper cover the wood
box for this game. Patented May31, 1887. This game originally sold for
about $1.00. |
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This quiz game contains over 2000 questions on
32 large cards. Questions are from history, current events (of the
1800s), conundrums, and interesting facts. Answers are coded on the
cards. The cylinder at the right side of the box performs decoding to
locate the correct answer. |
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Reed Photo Gallery
This Reed Photo Gallery is courtesy of Noel Barrett Auctions.
These items are from their May 2006 auction of fine antique toys. |
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Barnyard
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Fairy Paddlewheel Boat |
Daisy Cats
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The Royal Guards
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Jack & Gill
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General Grant's Encampment
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Providence Steamer
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St' Louis
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American Palace Car and Engine
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Trick Mule
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Variety Toy Box
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Reed's Sunday Toy
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Reed Steamer
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Menagerie Wagon
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Hero Engine
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