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Welcome to my museum of navigational instruments made or sold by John Bliss and his successors.
This museum showcases the three nautical instrument companies run by John Bliss (1795-1857) and his descendents. I'm from a different branch of the family, so am not one of his descendents. The three companies are BLISS & CREIGHTON (1835-1853), JOHN BLISS & SON (1853-1857), and JOHN BLISS & CO. (1857-1956), all of New York City. James Bliss Marine of Boston is a different company (also founded in 1835) with no connection to the New York companies. James Bliss was acquired by West Marine.
PLEASE NOTE:
I'm a collector of nautical instruments, not a dealer, and none of these items is for sale. I cannot provide a value for your instrument, but am glad to provide whatever other information I can. I would love to hear about Bliss instruments which you may have, and of course I'm always interested in hearing about Bliss items that are for sale.
I have provided this internet museum on the assumption that others will find this information as interesting as I do. Apparently many do, and I appreciate your positive comments.
Click on the thumbnails below for more pictures and information about my Bliss instruments.
BLISS & CREIGHTON No. 2076
c. 1853
Has the Bliss &Creighton Patent balance
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JOHN BLISS & SON No. 2484
c. 1855
Has the Bliss &Creighton Patent balance
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JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 3086
Break Circuit Chronometer
1911
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JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 68 SPIRIT BOAT COMPASS, 3 in. card
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JOHN BLISS & CO. DRY CARD COMPASS
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JOHN BLISS & CO. SMALL BOX COMPASS
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JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 63 SPIRIT COMPASS 5-1/4 in. card
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JOHN BLISS & CO. IMPROVED AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT
c.1909
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JOHN BLISS & CO. STATUTE MILE LOG
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JOHN BLISS & CO. TAFFRAIL LOG
Made between 1878 & 1881
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JOHN BLISS & CO. "AMERICAN" TAFFRAIL LOG
Made between 1885 & 1893
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BLISS MARK II SHIP LOG
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BLISS PARALLEL RULES
Brass, 18", w/protractor, stamped "295" on back,
unknown date, presumed 20th cent.
Photos courtesy Stephen Lebduska, NY.
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JOHN BLISS & CO.
Chelsea Ship's Bell Clock, c. 1930 4.5" diam. with simple, possibly home-made, wooden base. 4 inch silvered dial, "John Bliss & Co." printed on dial, now very faded.
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JOHN BLISS & CO. MARINE BINOCULARS
1907
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Hezzanith endless screw sextant, originally made in 1920 for Christie & Wilson of Glasgow, sold second hand by Bliss; see Bliss label on back of lid.
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BLISS & CREIGHTON
COIN SILVER SPOON
John Bliss trained as a jeweler & silversmith, and opened his first shop in New York City as a jeweler. I believe this spoon is correct for the period around 1836 when Bliss & Creighton began.
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BLISS PUBLICATONS & EPHEMERA
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Text copyright Norman Bliss 2002-2009
Page created 6/9/02.
Modified 6/3/11
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