Engraving titled "Les Free-Massons"

Item — Box: 37, Object: 6

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Eleven men wearing Masonic aprons and 18th-century clothing meet before an L-shaped table with three candlesticks. Shows chart of Masonic lodges in the world from no. 1 that meets in Ludgate Street, London to no. 129 in Plymouth, England; listed by precedence. At top is the coat of arms of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Viscount Weymouth (Grand Master of England in 1735) and a portrait of Sir Richard Steele. At top left corner: "Tom. IV. No. 11"; bottom left corner: "L.F. D. B. inv."; bottom right: "I.F. Scul."

Early lodges met in taverns and initiated new members as part of a banquet. The panel in the background lists 129 Masonic lodges operating in 1735, including Lodge 126, "Boston in New England." At the top is an oval portrait of Sir Richard Steele (1672-1729), who founded the English journal, The Tatler, in 1709. This engraving appeared in the book, Ceremonies et Coutumes Religieuses de tous les Peuples du Monde, which was published in 1735 in Amsterdam. (Information taken from the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library catalog.)

Dates

1739-2002

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.