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  Children's Decoders and Games on Secret Writing, Ciphers & Codes  
Collection - Richard Brisson - Collection


Image Link
Description
Comments / Questions
Additional Web Information/Photos
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Source: Personal Collection
Captain Midnight Secret Squadron Decoders, Manuals and Badges - 1940's and 1950's Captain Midnight was originally an American radio broadcast from 1938 to 1949 with Skelly Oil being the main original sponsor with Ovaltine taking its place as of 1940. During the period of 1954 to 1956, it became a television series. Related websites:
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Source: Personal Collection
Radio Orphan Annie Secret Society Decoders, Manuals and Badges - 1930's and early 1940's Radio's Little Orphan Annie originally aired an American radio broadcast from 1930 to 1940 with Ovaltine being the main original sponsor with Quaker Puffed Wheat Sparkies taking over from 1940 to 1942. Related websites:
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Source: Personal Collection
Boy Scout Code Wheel - 1931 Boy Scout code wheel made by F. Pitchford and Co in Great Britain. Codewheel measures about 10 inches in diameter. Also containts semaphore flag patterns, Morse code, watch compass. Here is a photo of the obverse of the code wheel. I have researched for more information on this item as it has British Patent number 347,342 and it would date it at 1931 which would make some sense. However when I look this british patent number, it describes something that is entirely different than this codewheel.
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Source: Personal Collection
Burnoy Codemaker - 1934 The Burnoy Codemaker was made by the B.W. Burke company. Codemaker has 6 concentric cardboard disks for a total diameter of about 5 inches. Here is a photo of the obverse with instructions on its use. If anyone has information on Burnoy, it would be much appreciated. Many cereal, bread and beverage companies had decoders made as premiums in the 1930's.
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Source: Personal Collection
Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters Decoders, Manuals and Badges - 1930's and early 1940's Tom Mix Ralston Straight Shooters originally aired an American radio broadcast from 1930 to 1944 with Ralston Purina as sponsor. Tom Mix was a Western film actor early in his career (early 1900's). Other photos: Related websites:
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Source: Personal Collection
James Bond Code-o-Matic and CodeBook - 1966 This coder/decoder was made by Multiple Products in 1966 and was either sold separately or as part of the classic James Bond Attaché Case with toy rifle (assembled from components), plastic bullets, currency bills, plastic knife and instructions. Other photos: Related websites:
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Source: Personal Collection
Sky King Spy-Detecto Writer Premium - 1949 Sky King originally aired as radio and televison broadcasts in the 1940's and 1950's. This brass-aluminum version of the Spy-Detecto Writer was a premium sponsored by Peter Pan Peanut Butter Related websites:
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Source: Personal Collection
The Amazing Spiderman Codebreaker - 1980 Manufactured by Gordy International and includes very nice plastic coder/decoder disc on cardboard backing for the 10 digits and 26 letters of the alphabet.  
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Source: Personal Collection
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars - Secret Messages - 1984 Produced by Mattel and includes good quality cardboard coder/decoder disc for the 10 digits and 26 letters of the alphabet.  
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Source: Personal Collection
Spiderman Code-Decode Wheel - 1984 Good quality cardboard stock coder/decoder disc with cardboard instructions.  
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Source: Personal Collection
Sears ISA-07-11 Super Spy Attaché Case with Decoder Disks - 1967 Comes complete with plastic coder/decoder wheel integrated in the case itself and also a functionally identical cardboard coder/decoder. Here is a photo of the cardboard box.  
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Source: Personal Collection
Secret Agent Lunchbox and Thermos with Decoder Disk - 1967 Comes complete with original thermos and lunchbox including the magnetic concentric inner disk for the coder/decoder on the lunchbox. Here is a photo of the coder/decoder.  
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Source: Personal Collection
Chex Decoder ring - 1967 Came as part of premium in Wheat Chex cereal boxes. There were two colors as far as I know - green (as pictured) and red. Related websites:
Dick Tracy Magic Decoders
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Source: Personal Collection
Dick Tracy Magic Decoders - 1957 Came as part of premium in Post Cereal boxes such as Sugar Crisp and Raisin Bran. There were two colors as far as I know - green and red (as pictured). Related websites:
Crimestopper Kit with Secret Code Maker
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Source: Personal Collection
Dick Tracy Crimestopper Kit with Secret Code Maker - 1961 These were apparently part of a major newspaper promotion in the early 1960's (Chicago paper?). Related websites:
Robin Secret Code Maker
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Source: Personal Collection
Robin Secret Code Maker - 1961 These were apparently part of a major newspaper promotion in the early 1960's (Chicago paper?). Here is a scan of the instructions on very brittle paper: Related website:
Secret Code Books
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Source: Personal Collection
Dick Tracy Secret Service Patrol Secret Code Books - 1938 and 1939 The promoter for these was Quaker Puffed Wheat and Rice in the late 1930's as part of Dick Tracy episodes on radio. Related websites:
Secret Code Books
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Source: Personal Collection
Lawrence Secret Code Outfit - 1939 This kit came with a wooden slide-rule decoder and instruction booklet within a small cardboard box. Related websites:
Buck Rogers & Twiki Communications Set
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Source: Personal Collection
Buck Rogers & Twiki Communications Set - 1979 This communications set was made by H.G. Toys Inc and came with a cardboard decoder disk along with a communications belt and other accessories. No other information found on the web.
Disney's Happy Soup Club Codophone
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Source: Personal Collection
Disney's Happy Soup Club Codophone - 1965 Disney promotion as part of the Happy Soup Club show in the 1960's. Photo shows cover and decoder of codophone. Other photos:
  • Photo of accompanying manual (forthcoming)
Related website:
Indiana Jones Decoder
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Source: Personal Collection
Disney's Indiana Jones Decoder - Mid 1990's Disney promotion as part of the Indiana Jones attraction at MGM Studios (now Hollywood Studios) in the mid 1990's. Related website:
McDonald's Code Card
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Source: Personal Collection
McDonald's Code Card - 1980's As part of McDonald's many promotions in the mid 1980's.  
Top Secret Dossier
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Source: Personal Collection
Top Secret Dossier avec roue codeuse - 1992 Accompagné d'une trousse d'articles qui facilitent les transactions d'informations secrètes.  
P.F. Flyers Magic Whistle
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Source: Personal Collection
P.F. Flyers Magic Whistle & Decoder - 1966 Whistle apparently sounded like a dolphin. Neat little decoder to be assembled. P.F. Flyers was a manufacturer of popular running shoes in the 1960's. Here are other related websites:
Alex Under Cover - Secret Code Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Alex Under Cover - Secret Code Kit - 1990's Secret Code Kit in a box for children ages 8 and above. Updated versions of this "Alex Under Cover" code kit still being sold on the web.
Alex Under Cover - Detective Activity Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Alex Under Cover - Detective Activity Kit - 1990's Secret Code Kit in a box for children ages 8 and above. Updated versions of this "Alex Under Cover" code kit still being sold on the web.
Wendy's Bruno the Kid Decoder Pencil
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Source: Personal Collection
Wendy's Bruno the Kid Decoder Pencil - 1994 Plastic coder/decoder pencil promoted by Wendy's in the mid 1990's. Thank you Dr. Welsh!
Spy Master Code Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Spy Master Code Kit - 1990's This kit includes a scytale amongst other items. Updated versions of this kit still being sold on the web.
Spy Master Code Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Secret Codes Code Kit by Robert Jackson - 1990's This kit includes semaphore flags, small book on codes, a pair of Jefferson plastic decoder wheels/cylinders. Likely still available for sale on the web.
Secret Code Breaker - Secret Message Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Secret Code Breaker Secret Message Kit - 1990's This kit includes slide-rule kits for assembly and software. Likely still available for sale on the web.
Batman Cards (Riddler Series) and Decoder
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Source: Personal Collection
Batman Cards (Riddler Series) and Decoder - 1966 These were part of bubble gum backs (5 cards per pack) with 38 different cards. There are several websites devoted to this type of cards. Here are some:
Superman Secret Code Card
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Source: Personal Collection
Superman Secret Code Card - 1948 Here is a photo of the back of the card with code. No other concrete information on the web.
Kellogg's Cereal Decoders
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Source: Personal Collection
Kellogg's plastic decoders - 1983 The four shown include secret decoders "The Apple Jack Kids", "Dig'Em's", "Toucam Sam", "Poppy". There are several websites devoted to sales of these decoders. Here is one:
Captain Crunch Seadog Spy Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Captain Crunch Seadog Spy Kit with decoder - 1974 Kit included decoder, case, mirror and instruction booklet. There are several websites devoted to sales of these decoders. Here is one:
Gilbert Chemistry Lab Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Gilbert Chemistry Experiment Lab (No. 12002 Junior) - 1956 Lab includes 250 experiments including some on secret writing, magic tricks and invisible inks. There are several websites devoted to many lab sets by the Gilbert company. Here is one:
Black Light Magic-Glo Kit
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Source: Personal Collection
Black Light Magic-Glo Kit - 1963 Kit comes with manual and includes numerous black light experiments including some on invisible ink for secret writing, invisible detection powder, etc. Manufacturer is Black Light Eastern Corporation in New York. There are a few websites that refer to the company in terms of advanced research but nothing of substance to this Magic-Glo kit.





  Children's Books on Secret Writing, Ciphers & Codes  
Richard Brisson Collection


Image Link
Description
Comments / Questions
Additional Web Information/Photos
The Nancy Drew Secret Codes
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Source: Personal Collection
The Nancy Drew Secret Codes Book - 1977 This book written in 1977 was authored by Evan Morley. There are several websites devoted to Nancy Drew and especially vintage items. Here is one:
The Nancy Drew Secret-Code Activity Book
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Source: Personal Collection
The Nancy Drew Secret-Code Activity Book - 1978 This book written in 1978 was written by Tony Tallarico. There are several websites devoted to Nancy Drew and especially vintage items. Here is one:
Ciphers For Little Folks
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Source: Personal Collection
Book "Ciphers For Little Folks" - 1916 Written by Dorothy Crain and published in 1916 by Riverbank Labs, this book was intended to interest and teach children to use their minds! There are several websites devoted to Riverbank Laboratories and their publications (notably those of William F. Friedman's). Here is one:
Secret Messages - How to Read and Write Them
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Source: Personal Collection
Book "Secret Messages - How to Read and Write Them" - 1928 Written by Paul Thomas and published in 1928, this book was intended to interest and teach young adults on the use of codes and ciphers!  
The First Book of Codes and Ciphers
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Source: Personal Collection
Book "The First Book of Codes and Ciphers" - 1956 Written by Sam and Beryl Epstein.  
Devising and Solving Ciphers (in Family Creative Workshop)
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Source: Personal Collection
Article on Cryptography in Family Creative Workshop - 1976 Entry written by Barbara Harris and which is an 8-page section of Volume 5 from a series titled The Family Creative Workshop.  
Codes and Secret Messages
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Codes and Secret Messages - 1970 Written by John Peterson.  
The Secret Code Book
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Source: Personal Collection
Book The Secret Code Book - 1995 Written by Helen Huckle.  
The Spy Code Handbook
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Source: Personal Collection
Book The Spy Code Handbook - 1992 Written by Duncan Ball & Ian Ball.  
Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Codes, Ciphers and Secret Writing - 1972 Written by Martin Gardner.  
Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Loads of Codes and Secret Ciphers - 1984 Written by Paul B. Janeczko.  
CodeMaster Books #1 and #2
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Source: Personal Collection
Books CodeMaster Books #1 and #2 - 1998 Written by Marvin Miller.  
Spy Science
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Spy Science - 1996 Written by Jim Wiese.  
Codes & Ciphers
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Codes & Ciphers - 1994 Written by Mark Fowler and Radhi Parekh.  
Secret Codes, Signals and Ciphers
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Secret Codes, Signals and Ciphers - 1989 Written by E.A. Grant.  
Secrets with Ciphers and Codes
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Source: Personal Collection
Book Secrets with Ciphers and Codes - 1969 Written by Joel Rothman and Ruthven Tremain. Published by MacMillan Publishing Co.  



If you have questions or suggestions, please email Richard at his spytools@sympatico.ca email address.

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