Cottage Service Enhancement: Initial Examination - Evaluation (Part 1)
Article Title: The Restoration of a Rare E. N. Welch Co. Cottage Clock
The clock in question, a beautifully crafted Rosewood veneered shelf clock, is currently undergoing servicing. This particular timepiece, originally manufactured by E. N. Welch Co., was purchased at the NAWCC Convention in June 2019.
The clock, with its curved ogee style outer frame and molded rectangular base, boasts a plain, box-like appearance that belies its intricate inner workings. The mainspring mount pillars have wires threaded through the posts to prevent the mainsprings from moving vertically, a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship of its makers.
The clock, a large cottage clock from E. N. Welch Co., is relatively scarce among common parlor clocks. It houses a 24-hour count wheel and an 8-day hour strike mechanism, features that are common in clocks from this era. The movement is mounted to the backboard by means of 4 screws and held together by 5 brass nuts on steel pillars.
The clock-maker who serviced the clock in 1983 was either Eric Chandlee Wilson himself or one of his employees. Sadly, Mr. Wilson passed away in March 2019. During the servicing process, it was discovered that the lantern pinions, T1/T2 teeth, both ratchets, mainsprings, and even the pivots of the movement, while in excellent condition, had a build-up of green waxy gunk in several places. This could have potentially exacerbated wear over the years.
Interestingly, there seems to be no direct evidence in the search results that E. N. Welch Co. was a client of Jerome & Co. for movement production. While both companies are referenced independently in the context of clocks and clock repairs, no record or source indicates that Jerome & Co. produced movements specifically for E. N. Welch Co. Further specialized historical clockmaking archives or industry-specific sources would be required to confirm any such relationship if it existed.
Despite this, the clock's Roman numeral dial is a recent replacement, and the moon hands, possibly original, look appropriate to the period but might have been Maltese. The clock, though initially focused on producing high-end clocks, later shifted to manufacturing cheaper clocks.
As the servicing process continues, we look forward to seeing this rare E. N. Welch Co. cottage clock return to its former glory, ticking away the hours once more.
Technology and data-and-cloud-computing have advanced significantly since the era of the vintage clocks like the one in question. However, the intricate inner workings of antique timepieces, such as the E. N. Welch Co. cottage clock, remain a fascinating puzzle that combines traditional craftsmanship with the principles of mechanics.
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