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.

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 Items 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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Text copyright Norman Bliss 2002-2009

Page created 6/9/02.

Modified 6/3/11