Masonic Material Culture

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I posted this over on the Tatoo thread...

No pictures, but I found this reference on a Masonic Tatoo page. (Yes, I'm thinking of something special to celebrate me making it to 40!)


"The first Masonic funeral service in California in 1849 was for the body of an unknown Freemason who was found drowned in the bay. A Mark Master's silver mark was found on the body. Tattooed on his left arm were the emblems of the E[ntered] A[pprentice]; on his right arm the emblems of a F[ellow] C[raft]; on his left breast the lights of Freemasonry and over his heart a pot of incense. On other parts of his body were a beehive, sword and heart, all-seeing eye, hourglass, sun, moon, stars, comet, 3 steps, weeping virgin and Father Time with his scythe."


I'm proud of being a Freemason, but dang!

[Kiev Thomason]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I posted this over on the Tatoo thread...

No pictures, but I found this reference on a Masonic Tatoo page. (Yes, I'm thinking of something special to celebrate me making it to 40!)


"The first Masonic funeral service in California in 1849 was for the body of an unknown Freemason who was found drowned in the bay. A Mark Master's silver mark was found on the body. Tattooed on his left arm were the emblems of the E[ntered] A[pprentice]; on his right arm the emblems of a F[ellow] C[raft]; on his left breast the lights of Freemasonry and over his heart a pot of incense. On other parts of his body were a beehive, sword and heart, all-seeing eye, hourglass, sun, moon, stars, comet, 3 steps, weeping virgin and Father Time with his scythe."


I'm proud of being a Freemason, but dang!

Maybe we could get together and look at some thing this next weekend??
See ya soon Brother.Call me sometime before Friday ...

[boreguard]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

I found this pipe in an antique shop in Gettysburg this past weekend.

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Here is something a little different.

I am beginning a research project on decorative Masonic tombstones. So, if anyone has photos of interesting "stones" in their area I'd appreciate it if you could post a photo of it or pass it along to me in a PM or e-mail! Thanks.

Enjoy!

[BigRonFH]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Must say, this is ALL fascinating! BUt the question remains, IS IT authentic to wear the square & compass on the ubiform? I see it alot at events.

Ron Hopkins
Co. D, 13th US Inf
Unity Lodge #130, Sioux Falls, SD

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Brother Ron,

The short answer to the S&C question is: YES. The longer answer is: Yes, but it depends on the S&C being worn and HOW it is worn. Take a look at the breast pins pictured earlier in this thread. Those are more appropriate to the CW than the obligatory sutler patch we see so often today!

Also, on the second page of this thread is a post with numerous period accounts of Masonic emblems and how they were worn/shown.

Also, over the course of the last 17 years I have found a whopping EIGHT photos of soldier from the CW WEARING identifiable Masonic emblems! EIGHT! That’s it! ALL eight are of Federal soldiers. Six were wearing a S&C pin on the breast of their uniform coat. One was wearing a small S&C fob on a watch chain, and one is shown wearing a gilt embroidered APRON over his dress frock coat!

There is another possible photo of a group of Federal Masons wearing plain white aprons. The photo is labeled (mislabeled in my opinion) as a group of US Hospital stewards. It can be found in the second volume of Dr. Gordon Dammann’s “Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments and Equipment.”

This, in a nut shell, is what I’ve found during the course of my research. Anyone else have photographic evidence to share?

[BigRonFH]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Thank you, Brother Patrick. There are so many that wear the sutler patch you mention that I had doubts as to it's proper place on the uniform (if any). You've been a great help.

Ron Hopkins
Co. D, 13th US Inf.
Unity #130
Sioux Falls, SD

[mrgrzeskowiak]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Not to change the subject.. I did not want to start a new thread...

I see many sutlers selling the masonic canteen covers.. obviously these are not correct, right? The S&C measurments are 4.5in x 6 in.....

[Will Eichler]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Brother Mike,

I think the best watchword that can be given for masonic emblems on the person for our time period is subtle. If that's correct, your deduction easily follows.

I'd stay away from large S&C on canteens (and on gauntlets while we're at it).

Fraternally,

Will Eichler

[Jimmayo]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

There is currently some postings here

http://www.thetreasuredepot.com/cgi-bin/relic/relic_config.pl?#12462

for folks that have dug masonic emblems. Many of the posts are from CW sites. I thought it would interest the Masons on the forum. This treasure depot forum gets lots of posts so if you arn't looking on Aug 17 at 1400 eastern standard time you may have to page down a bit.

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Jim,

THANKS for that link! There is some GREAT stuff on that dug relics forum!

Brothers, if you haven't been over there - GO! NOW! It is a long scroll list but there are some fantastic dug Masonic relics. I will try and copy some of the better pictures over here to this thread - but,. don't let that stop you for visiting the link Jim posted!

Jim, Thanks again for the link!

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Ok, some great stuff over on the dug relics forum. Below is my favorite. This is COOL and another example of a period device WITH the "G"!

[Bushrod Carter]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Here is another from the Dug Relic Forum...

How would you like to find something like this?

[FlatLandFed]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Brother Bushrod,

Yes, indeedy, I would like to find a ring such as that! As per an earlier discussion on men's rings, do you think this is sized for a man's pinky finger, not the modern "wedding band" digit?

Ever forward,
Paul Hadley
College View Lodge 320, AFAM

[51stNCVCo.K]

Re: Masonic Material Culture

Mr. Craddock

What are some good words, terms, or phrases to use while searching google/ebay for Masonic devices and photographs of the Civil War period.

Taylor McCullen
51st NC Co.K
&
Iron Gray mess

Phoenix lodge #8
AF&AM
Fayetteville NC