238.            $750

E.N. Welch Odd Fellows shelf clock, ca. 1870.  A second Bellamy-carved clock case, this one for the Odd Fellows Fraternal Order and again made for E.N. Welch distribution.  Odd Fellows symbols are readily apparent on this clock – the ‘heart in the hand’ symbolizing charity (also used by Freemasons and the Shakers), and the three links below it symbolizing friendship, love, and truth.  Other symbols include a sword and balance representing justice (middle left), three arrows representing friendship, love, and truth (middle right), a beehive representing industriousness and cooperativity (lower left, also used by Freemasons), and an hourglass, representing the passing of time.  The 17-inch case appears to be walnut or mahogany with a dark and likely original finish.  There is a vertical split on the lower left and several horizontal splits.  The dial glass is domed, the dial is worn and faded paper, the hands are mismatched.  The lower porthole bezel holds a mirror, likely original.  The Welch movement is a 30-hour time-and-strike, pendulum-regulated timekeeper, in contrast to the lever movement in the Masonic clock (#237).  There is a torn label inside with sufficient printing to identify the maker (Welch).  I can find no sales records for this clock (I do know of one other example), so we’ll start it at $750.  $1000-$2000.