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  • Masonic Material Culture

    There seem to be enough Brothers on the AC that maybe we can discuss the Material Culture of Freemasons during the mid-nineteenth century.

    I don't have any way to start other than asking: What can we do to improve our impressions as Craftsmen during the Civil War?

    If anyone has a photo of a soldier wearing a Masonic pin/fob/etc please post it.

    Below I've added a couple of photos of interesting Masonic stuff.
    Attached Files
    PATRICK CRADDOCK
    Prometheus No. 851
    Franklin, Tennessee
    Widows' Sons Mess
    www.craftsmansapron.com

    Aut Bibat Aut Abeat

    Can't fix stupid... Johnny Lloyd

  • #2
    Re: Masonic Material Culture

    Here are a few images of an original Masonic Flask from the era:

    An original circa 1860's to 1870's Civil War era quart size aquamarine glass blown in the mold calabash like flask listed as G lV-42 No.259 in McKearin's American Glass, and described as made by A. R. Samuels of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This handsome 8 1/2" tall piece is known for many years as a Masonic flask but may also relate to the Jr. Order of United American Mechanics. The obverse shows a large shield with clasped hands above a square and compass amidst 5 pointed stars, 13 above and 6 below, and word "Union" in an oval frame, all within laurel branches. The reverse shows an American eagle upon a Union shield above four arrows and olive branch, and the initials "A. R. S.." A flowing ribbon travels from the eagle's beak to above and below. The side walls are fluted, with an applied lip, broad sloping collar, and a recessed pontil mark.







    Brian Hicks
    Widows' Sons Mess

    Known lately to associate with the WIG and the Armory Guards

    "He's a good enough fellow... but I fear he may be another Alcibiades."

    “Every man ever got a statue made of him was one kinda sumbitch or another. It ain’t about you. It’s about what THEY need.”CAPTAIN MALCOLM REYNOLDS

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Masonic Material Culture

      The links provided below, are to a few sites with many great images of Masonic Flasks along with a good narratives of their history during our period of interest.

      http://www.glswrk-auction.com/149b.htm

      http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masoni...f_contents.htm
      Brian Hicks
      Widows' Sons Mess

      Known lately to associate with the WIG and the Armory Guards

      "He's a good enough fellow... but I fear he may be another Alcibiades."

      “Every man ever got a statue made of him was one kinda sumbitch or another. It ain’t about you. It’s about what THEY need.”CAPTAIN MALCOLM REYNOLDS

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Masonic Material Culture

        Patrick, I’m not a Mason but the old lodge in Raleigh might be a great resource. I’m told they have wartime images of several members in uniform; Capt. Tom Rice Youngblood, Co. D, 51 NC being one of them. His apron is in a private family collection in Smithfield NC. If it’s a wartime artifact I'll certainly get a picture for you.

        Is there an online site to help date early American Masonic artifacts? I have a paternal family apron from the Tidewater that may prove interesting.
        Last edited by Vuhginyuh; 04-26-2007, 10:34 AM. Reason: name edit
        B. G. Beall (Long Gone)

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Masonic Material Culture

          Garrison,

          If you could get photos of the wartime images I'd be VERY appreciative!

          Also, I could help you date just about any apron from 1750 to 1900. Send me a photo and I can help you out with that!
          PATRICK CRADDOCK
          Prometheus No. 851
          Franklin, Tennessee
          Widows' Sons Mess
          www.craftsmansapron.com

          Aut Bibat Aut Abeat

          Can't fix stupid... Johnny Lloyd

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Masonic Material Culture

            Patrick- Will do ASAP on the family apron. Its heading to a conservator in two weeks so this will be a good time to shoot it.

            As far as Raleigh goes, I only have Youngbloods image; which I can provide. He is not wearing any Masonic material though, do you still want it? (As a matter of fact your avatar reminds me of him.) Is there an AC member that is a member of the old Raleigh lodge?
            Last edited by Vuhginyuh; 04-26-2007, 10:35 AM. Reason: name
            B. G. Beall (Long Gone)

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Masonic Material Culture

              Garrison,

              I am hoping to find images of men wearing a Masonic device. I look forward to seeing the pics of ther family apron.
              PATRICK CRADDOCK
              Prometheus No. 851
              Franklin, Tennessee
              Widows' Sons Mess
              www.craftsmansapron.com

              Aut Bibat Aut Abeat

              Can't fix stupid... Johnny Lloyd

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Masonic Material Culture

                Gents,
                I don't have any pictures, but, I would highly reccommend that all the brothers read "A House Undivided - The Story of Freemasonary and the Civil War" by Brother Allen E. Roberts. The book gives excellent information on Freemason thought and works during and prior to the Civil War. Brother Roberts qoutes from several different minutes of Freemason lodges both from the North and South. It is one of the most enlighting books that this brother mason has read.

                MM Dave Prince
                Walled Lake #528
                Dave Prince

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Masonic Material Culture

                  Comrades,

                  I don't have any images yet, but I MAY have some in our lodge's libraries. We just uncovered a number of albums of CDV's and other images, but it's slow going wading through them.

                  We do have some datable aprons, however, including some from 1820 and earlier. What's interesting is that the earlier ones, up to around 1860, are primarily silkscreened black ink on white silk. It's not till around the CW period that, at least in our lodge, you begin to see embroidery replace the printed designs.

                  Also, FWIW, there is an identified Paul-Revere made copper device in the Scottish Rite collection in Massachusetts that has the letter "G" in the middle of the square and compasses. It predates the CW by quite a bit, so it shows evidence of the letter being used well before our period.

                  Respects,

                  Tim Kindred
                  Polar Star Lodge No.114
                  Bath, Maine
                  Tim Kindred
                  Medical Mess
                  Solar Star Lodge #14
                  Bath, Maine

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Masonic Material Culture

                    Here is my first in, I hope, a number of posts in this thread. I have a ton of images if I ever find my flashdrive, but for now...

                    I give you Bro. Thumb's Apron.

                    Bro. Runyon
                    Snr. Stwrd.
                    Riley Lodge #390
                    Attached Files
                    [FONT=Book Antiqua]Justin Runyon[/FONT][FONT=Book Antiqua]; Pumpkin Patch Mess: [/FONT][FONT=Book Antiqua]WIG-GHTI[/FONT]
                    [FONT=Book Antiqua]Organization of American Historians[/FONT]
                    [FONT=Book Antiqua]Company of Military Historians[/FONT]
                    [FONT=Book Antiqua]CWPT, W.M., Terre Haute #19[/FONT][FONT=Book Antiqua] F&AM[/FONT]
                    [FONT=Book Antiqua]Terre Haute Chapter 11 RAM[/FONT]

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Masonic Material Culture

                      Gentlemen,

                      Anyone have information of someone making period reproductions of Masonic aprons? I saw aprons in photos last year at Shaker Village. The craftsman that made these was good! Thanks for your efforts.

                      Dennis H. Rigsby
                      Richmond, In.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Masonic Material Culture

                        Brother Tim,

                        It is interesting that you mention the letter "G" inside the S&C on the Paul Revere made artifact. That seems to be another of those re-enactorisms that we so often talk about on other threads of the AC. Granted, period artifacts DO NOT typically reflect the standardized Masonic "logo" as we think of it today, but, I too, have seen several aprons dating from 1800 to 1860 with the "G" inside the Square and Campasses. HOWEVER, I have never seen a period photo of a soldier or civilian wearing a big honking patch with a S&C on it!

                        Ok, here is my addition for today...
                        Attached Files
                        PATRICK CRADDOCK
                        Prometheus No. 851
                        Franklin, Tennessee
                        Widows' Sons Mess
                        www.craftsmansapron.com

                        Aut Bibat Aut Abeat

                        Can't fix stupid... Johnny Lloyd

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Masonic Material Culture

                          Dennis,

                          Please contact me off this thread via a PM or e-mail to Craddock64@aol.com to answer your questions about reproduction Masonic aprons.
                          PATRICK CRADDOCK
                          Prometheus No. 851
                          Franklin, Tennessee
                          Widows' Sons Mess
                          www.craftsmansapron.com

                          Aut Bibat Aut Abeat

                          Can't fix stupid... Johnny Lloyd

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Masonic Material Culture

                            Don't forget to look at textiles. Baltimore Album quilts often have Odd Fellows iconography, since the group was founded there, but there are many other album quilts with masonic symbols.

                            Some examples:


                            Regards,
                            Deborah Hyland
                            dance mistress

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Masonic Material Culture

                              These quilts are outstanding!!!
                              Dave Prince
                              4th Texas Co E
                              Bosque Mess
                              Walled Lake #528
                              Dave Prince

                              Comment

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