215.         $100

E.N. Welch Mfg. Co. “Eclipse”, ca. 1885.  This clock was made for the Metropolitan Manufacturing Co. by Welch, as indicated on the label on the back.  The case is the same as the earlier “Auditorium” (see page 218 in Ly’s book, Welch Clocks, Second Edition); the Eclipse has a special pendulum with “Eclipse” impressed at the top and is shown on page 225 of Welch Clocks.  The black walnut case is 27 inches long with a clean finish.  The door glass may be original and retains a good gold stencil.  The painted dial shows some soiling, the hands are period and correct. The signed 8-day, time and half-hour strike movement wants to run but needs a bit of encouragement, and maybe cleaning.  The strike is working, but also sluggish.  As noted, there is an Eclipse sandwich glass pendulum and two labels on the back. There is good evidence that Welch also used the Donita case for this model, substituting the Eclipse pendulum and an Eclipse label on the back; it appears that all Eclipses were made for the Metropolitan Manufacturing Co.  And, as you might expect, it also came in a shelf version (see #106), but again with different case styles.  Very confusing!  $100–$200.