Welch, Spring & Co. Italian No. 2. Shelf or mantel clock. BB-306.
This clock is in fine overall condition. This case is veneered in rosewood and features gilded columns on each side. The door is and "octagon" design and a variant of one produced by Ingraham having applied rosettes. The painted dial is original to the clock. It features Roman numerals painted on a tin pan. Numerals four, five, and six have been weakly restored. The lower section of the door features a reverse-painted decoration on glass. It is original to this clock. It depicts a small basket filled with grapes and apples. It does have some small areas of loss.
The movement is brass and designed to run for 30 hours on a full wind. It is powered by a coil spring. It has circular plates with a time-only design.
A partial label is pasted to the backboard.
This clock was made circa 1870.
Dimensions are 13.5 inches high, 8.25 inches wide, and 4 inches deep.
The Welch, Spring & Company was formed in March of 1868. This company was formed with the goal of producing a better quality clock than its parent label, E. N. Welch. The clocks offered by this spin off incorporated better woods in the construction of the cases and a higher level of detail work. As a result, Welch & Spring Clocks were more expensively priced. This business was absorbed by the parent company in 1884
Elisha Niles Welch was born on February 7, 1809 in Chatham, Conn and died August 2, 1887 in Forestville. During his lifetime he explored numerous ventures in clock related businesses over his life time. He began his clock career in a foundry that his father owned casting clock weights. In 1841-45 he became a partner in J. C. Brown's Forestville Mfg Co. He was the first President of the Bristol Brass & Clock Co. in 1850. He absorbed many clock businesses over a relatively short period of time including the Manross clock business in Forestville in 1854 and in 1855 J.C. Brown's company. Next where the businesses of John Birge, Frederick Otis, and Irenus Atkins. In 1864, he formed them into the E. N. Welch Mfg. Company.
Welch was also a world traveler and a lover of the arts and music. He often invited guest to his house and provided them with entertainment. Several clock models were named after his talented entertainment. One popular model, the Patti V. P. was named after the prodigy vocalist, Adelina Patti. Aldelina was a soprano prima donna. She is described as a beautiful woman who was wealthy, liberated and a nonconformist. She was very popular with men.
Solomon Crosby Spring was born on January 29 1826 in Grandby, Connecticut and died in 1906. He was the son of Thomas Spring and Candace Holcomb. SC began his career in the business of designing, manufacturing and managing clock related activities. He worked for S. B. Terry in Terryville and later moved to Bristol. By 1858 he was in business for himself as S. C. Spring. This company was the successor to the Birge, Peck, & Company. Solomon retired form clock making in 1895.
