William Adams & Co played a significant role in the production of transferware from the latter quarter of the 19th century. Transferware is generally features intricate designs and patterns applied using a specially constituted tissue paper which allowed the transfer of ink from an engraved copper plate, enabling mass production of highly detailed and decorative pieces.

Adams produced many American-themed transferware, souvenir plates -  these designs often depicted American historical events, landmarks, and pastoral scenes, catering to the growing American market. 

French, Mitchell & Woodbury Co. of Boston was a company known for "importing, retailing, and distributing luxury goods", particularly "fine porcelain, glassware, silverware", and other decorative art objects. They operated primarily during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, catering to the tastes of the growing wealthy class in the United States.

This antique scrap book consists of 17 images of various American Landmarks which were produced as blue & white souvenir plates by William Adams & Co of Stoke-on-Trent, England.

They are the pattern transfer tissue paper which has been mounted to a white paper. 

• Included with each picture is the backstamp of W. Adams & Co with a depiction of an eagle (to appeal to the American market). 

• On all 17 is the name of French, Mitchell, Woodbury & Co of Boston - this company were importers of crockery and china and presumably commission the production of the souvenir plates.

• The plates have the name of different stores or retailers. 

• The dates commemorated range from 1895 to 1905.  

Originally Howe's Tavern from 1716. In 1897, the tavern was purchased by Edward R. Lemon, who again converted it into an inn - this is reflected in the backstamp on the platter which reads "Manufactured for E. R. Lemon 50 Sudbury, Mass"

Wikipedia article: The Wayside Inn, Sudbury

impressed:  ADAMS  TUNSTALL

In 1903 it was reported that around 60,000 to 80,000 people came here each year

Mount Tom is the highest point on the Metacomet Ridge, a narrow mountain range that extends through Connecticut and Massachusetts. 

The railway and Summit House was completed in 1897 - a fire destroyed the first Summit House in October 1900.

The view shown on the souvenir plate is of the second Summit House which was completed in 1901. However, like its predecessor this was also destroyed by a fire in May 1929
 

Link to: Mount Tom Summit House, Holyoke, Mass.

In 1867, the railroad came to Bethlehem Junction, New Hampshire and the Maplewood Hotel was built in 1876, it was enlarged in 1887 and a casino added in 1889. 
The image on this tile is said to have been taken from the same image which appears on a c. 1905 postcard

a view of the harbor at Gloucester, Massachusetts

Seymour S. Hartwell & Co were retailers of crockery & glass ware, they also owned the 'Ideal Restaurant and Dining Rooms' at 115 Main Street, Gloucester, Mass.

This souvenir plate was made by W. Adams in England. S. S. Hartwell also imported ware from other countries, such as Germany. 

The Spirit of '76 was painted by Archibald Willard about 1875. The subject is a reflection on the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence on July 4th 1776. 

In 1895 The Spirit of '76 and possibly another work by Willard's involving the same subjects marching into Havana was used in American propaganda for the Spanish–American War. This was probably the prompt for the use on the painting on a souvenir plate. 

Josiah Wedgwood & Sons also produced a plate using The Spirit of '76 picture.

This souvenir plate was made by W. Adams & Co in England. 
R. M. Cook also imported ware from other countries, such as Germany. 

During the American Revolution notable proponents of liberty such as Elbridge Gerry and General John Glover debated independence in the Old Town House.

this example of the Marblehead souvenir plate just has the manufacturers mark - W. Adams & Sons, England - earlier examples have the importers name and W. Adams & Co..

Imported Especially for R.M. Cook, 
Marblehead Mass. W. Adams & Co.  
French, Mitchell, Woodbury Co. Boston.

R M Cook was a Jeweler and Optician in Marblehead, Massachusetts.   

The engraving shows the large antenna array on four 210-foot (64m) wooden towers, with the transmitting station powered by kerosene engines that produced the 25,000 volts of electricity needed to send signals to a similar station in Cornwall, UK 

Everett Irving Nye (1851-1923) ran the post office at Wellfleet. In 1920 he compiled a book 'History of Wellfleet, from early days to present time'

Marconi Wireless Station, Wellfleet, MASS
The first wireless message from
President Roosevelt to King Edward VIII
was sent from this station
Jan 19th 1903

Colour lithographed trade cards were a key late 19th century advertising medium for both national manufacturers and local businesses. 

These miniature posters, about the size of a postcard, were handed out as souvenirs at major trade fairs. They were also distributed at stores, placed on sales counters free for the taking, and passed out by "drummers" who walked the streets looking for customers.

The two cards were issued by French Mitchell Woodbury Co and depict pottery ware produced by manufacturers from Stoke-on-Trent, England.

Hotel, catering ware produced by  J & G Meakin and sold through French Mitchell Woodbury Co. 

At the bottom right is the name Wood, Mitchell & Co of Hanley - they occupied the Oriel Works and were printers, bookbinders and publishers. 

The long-standing family business was co-founded as a partnership in 1901 by Herbert Mitchell, whose eldest son Reginald Mitchell went on to design the Spitfire airplane which played a pivotal role WWII.

The firm became a limited company in 1904.

At the bottom right is the name H. Lockett, Litho, Hanley - they were a lithographic printing company - in 1911 they were taken over by Sherwin & Co.