Bliss Collection

JOHN BLISS NAUTICAL INSTRUMENT VIRTUAL MUSEUM Welcome to my collection of navigational instruments made or sold by John Bliss and his successors.

This museum deals with 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.

History of John Bliss & his successors, including company addresses & bibliography.

Note on serial numbers, dating instruments, and/or tracing their history.

Chronometers in general.

Other nautical instruments in my collection.

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	JOHN BLISS & SON No. 2484 c. 1855 Has the Bliss &Creighton Patent balance	JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 3086 Break Circuit Chronometer 1911
JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 68 SPIRIT BOAT COMPASS, 3 in. card	JOHN BLISS & CO. DRY CARD COMPASS	JOHN BLISS & CO. SMALL BOX COMPASS
JOHN BLISS & CO. No. 63 SPIRIT COMPASS 5-1/4 in. card	JOHN BLISS & CO. IMPROVED AZIMUTH INSTRUMENT c.1909	JOHN BLISS & CO. STATUTE MILE LOG
JOHN BLISS & CO. TAFFRAIL LOG Made between 1878 & 1881	JOHN BLISS & CO. "AMERICAN" TAFFRAIL LOG Made between 1885 & 1893	BLISS MARK II SHIP LOG
BLISS PARALLEL RULES Brass, 18", w/protractor, stamped "295" on back, unknown date, presumed 20th cent. Photos courtesy Stephen Lebduska, NY.	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.	JOHN BLISS & CO. MARINE BINOCULARS 1907
QUADRANT SOLD BY BLISS & CREIGHTON Unknown maker, probably late 1830's	SIGNED JOHN BLISS & CO. SEXTANT labeled "ENGLISH" on arc.	SEXTANT SOLD BY BLISS & CO. 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.
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.	BLISS PUBLICATONS & EPHEMERA

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Page created 6/9/02.

Modified 3/2/10