American Publishing Company (1865 - 1903) was a Hartford, Connecticut-based publishing house. The firm was founded by Elisha Bliss (October 13, 1821 - September 28, 1880). Bliss was one of the first to recognize the genius of Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and, in 1867, encouraged the young journalist to write for him. Spurred by the popularity of Twain's writings, the American Publishing Company rose quickly in prominence, publishing many important works. When Elisha Bliss died in 1880, the firm was taken over by his sons, Francis Edward 'Frank' Bliss (1843 - 1915) and Walter Bliss (1858 - 1917). The firm, like many publishers of the period, operated on a subscription basis with door-to-door salesmen taking orders for delivery at a later date. Their most lucrative production was a 1898 uniform edition of Mark Twain's works. In 1903, the American Publishing Company was acquired and absorbed into Harper and Brothers.
