R. Bliss Manufacturing Company
Pawtucket, Rhode Island
1832-1935

Even through Rufus Bliss founded R. Bliss Manufacturing Company in 1832, it is not exactly known when they started producing toys. The earliest mention of toys can be found in the “New England Business Director of 1871.”

R. Bliss Manufacturing Company was originally founded to produce wooden screws and clamps for piano and cabinet making. Rufus Bliss is known for inventing a machine for cutting wood screws rapidly and more accurately than had been done in the past. These toys cross the borders of collecting with their folk-art designs. They are known for their high quality, beautiful colors and artwork. R. Bliss Manufacturing Company sold their toy making division to Manson & Parker of Winchendon, Massachusetts in 1914. Toys carrying the Bliss name were produced until 1935 with only a few toys marketed during these years.

For more information on Bliss toys, please visit the following link on Old Wood Toys.

Admiral Dewey - L $700 20"L x 15"H Admiral Dewey - R $700 20"L x 10"H Around the World Trunk 1900 7"L x 3.2"H x 4"W $120 - $160 Admiral Britannia The Yacht 1896 23"L Conquerer 1896 20"L x 17" Conquerer 1896 20"L x 17"L 90% restored Columbia Restored Columbia 27"L x 20"H x 2.75"W Cruiser Columbia 1896 27"L Cruiser Columbia 1896 27"L x 20" HMS Blake Iowa Battleship #484 1911 30"L Iowa Battleship 1911 30"L Japanese House Boat Click photo for more info Kalamazoo 31"L x 5"H x 4.5"W Monitor 26"L x 7.75"H x 7.25"W New York 1900 34.5"L x 22"H x 3.5"W $1200 - $1800 New York Battleship 1896 36"L x 22"H New York Battleship 1896 36" New York Steamship 1896 42"L; Masts 22"H Twin-Animal Ark 1896 Click photo for more info The World's Noah's Ark #170 1896 Philadelphia 30.5"L x 11.5"H x 6"W Philadelphia Battleship 1882 30"L $1000 - $1200 Pirate Torpedo Boat 1896 27"L x 22"H Bliss-Pirate-Ship 1896 27"L x 22"H Priscilla Steamboat 1896 38"L Bliss-Rover-Ship 1896 20"L x 21"H Rover Torpedo Boat 1896 20"L x 21"H Bliss-Rover-Ship 1896 20"L x 21"H Sachem Schooner 1896 45"L x 29"H Schooner Sprite #84 1889 15"L x 18" Seagull #402 Sea Lark 1905 17.5"L x 8.5"H x 4.25"W $900 - $1200 Sea Lark 1896 17.75"L Terror 1911 22"L x 22"H Terror 1911 22"L x 22"H Terror Coast Defense Monitor 1911 22"L x 20"H Terror Torpedo Boat 1896 30"L x 24"H U.S. Cruiser c. 1882 31"L Click photo for more info Uncle Sam Gun Boat 1880 32"L x 24"H $4000 - $5000 Uncle Sam's New Navy 1896 8"L Click photo for more info Train Block Set 6.5"H x 3"W Train Block Set 2 6.5"H x 3"W Train Block Set 3 Train Block Set 4 Train Block Set 5 Train Block Set 6 Train Block Set 7 Train Block Set 8 Boys Union Tool Chest No. 725B c. 1910 17.5"L x 6.5"H x 8.5"W $400 - $450 Train Block Set 9 Blocks from Wagon #122 Other Side Blocks from Wagon #122 Alphabet Side Wagon City #122 w/Blocks "Pansy" Horse Carriage Western Express With Blocks Wagon w/Blocks Estimated 1910 17.6"L x 6.8"H x 12.1"W $120 - $160 American & European Menagerie With Tiger & Zebra American & European Menagerie With Camel & Pig American and European Menagerie c. 1890 11"L x 7.1"H x 6"W $300 - $400 each Elephant Estimated 1925 - 1935 Horse & Chariot 24.5"L x 15.25"H x 9.25"W $1200 - $1600 American "Twin Animal" Ark 1896 13"L x 6"H x 4"W $1050 - $1400 "The Wonder" Noah's Ark Set includes 9 Animals "The Wonder" Noah's Ark Set includes 19 Animals 11.5"L x 6.5"H x 3.75"W "The Worlds" Noah's Ark 1896 Set Includes 4 Animals, 5 People The "World" Noah's Ark 4.25"L x 5.75"H x 4.1"W Noah's Ark Four Noah's Ark Versions Shown Noah's Ark Animals 24 Animals Shown Noah's Ark Animals Giraffe measures: 7" x 4.2" Engine with 2 Cars 1890 18"L x 3.5"H x 2"W $750 - $1000 N.Y. Central Railroad #61 c. 1889 Click photo for info Lincoln Park Train 1896 18"L Bliss-Saratoga-Train 36.5"L x 7.25"H x 3.5"W Santa Christmas Sleigh c. 1891 18”L x 8”H x 4”W $1200 - $1600 "Rough & Ready No. 2" Firetruck Reproduction Hose Wheel Rough and Reddy #2 c. 1890 18”L x 8.5”H x 6.25”W $1500 - $2000 The Bloomer Car #147 c. 1896 28.5”L x 9”H x 6.5”W $2400 - $3200 Jackson Park Via Grand Blvd 26"L x 8.25"H x 6"W