Zetland medals

Here is a catalogue description from Bonhams for a sale on July 15.

"...an assortment of masonic medals including an 18ct gold example for Zetland Hong Kong to Wor Bro C.W.Somers 1933; a Founder's medal for the Zetland & Hong Kong Lodge; a Founder's medal for the Paul Chater Lodge of Installed Masters. With other lesser issues form the 20th Century. Generally good very fine or better. "

Historic Aussie Lodge

This from the North Shore Times, Australia...

THE Balmain Masonic Lodge is in Willoughby. But when the 90 members of the freemasons lodge celebrate its 150th anniversary this month they will revisit their inner-harbour Balmain roots.
They'll also celebrate with a reconsecration ceremony and banquet on Saturday.
The lodge was founded by a shipwright at Balmain in 1859 when sailing was the only way to cross the Pacific.
About 40 sea captains have been members and even now membership includes a shipwright and navy personnel.
When the lodge meets each month members toast their seafaring forbears, ring a bell from an old ship, Westralia, and sing a seafaring ditty.
Four of the NSW/ACT freemasons former grand masters (the highest order) were from the Balmain lodge, including grand master Robert Hammond.
Mr Hammond, a retired wool buyer, has been a freemason since 1945.
``You need time to be a grand master, it's a full-time job,'' said the octogenarian, grand master from 1969 to 1972.
Jason Plumridge, who will become the lodge's 150th master in July, said freemasonry was an ``order of men who prize honour above other things''.
Retired banker Ian Jarratt, of Umina Beach, is the lodge's director of ceremonies.
``People think the freemasons are a secret society, but anybody can find out about freemasonry through the internet and books and so on,'' he said.
``There are things that are secret to masons, parts of the rituals are for masons only, they are little idiosyncrasies which identify if someone is a mason or not.
``The formal meetings are only for males. Women are invited to social activities and open discussions. This is based on the history when masons or workmen were men only. It's stayed that way.''
While the freemasons are not a religious order, members are required to believe in a supreme being.
New members are rigorously screened. ``If someone had a criminal record or if they beat their wife they'd be excluded,'' Mr Jarratt said.
The order of freemasons has rituals which date back to the early 17th century. Mr Plumridge said the order had its roots during the building of King Solomon's temple.

Silver Jewels

These two silver plate jewels are going under the hammer next week. The first dates from 1771

and is inscribed "Jams. Crumb, LN 244".

The second is from 1770 and written around it is "devoted to secrecy and friendship". The name is "John Page, MM No.47)

They are being sold by Dix Noonan Webb in London and both have pre-sale estimates of £150 to £200.

"Murdering Masons"

Nutjobs and fruitcakes blame masons for virtually everything - including many murders.

One such conspiracy theorist was out in London recently accusing the Craft of killing lots of people.

Not the best picture, but you get the idea...

Talent Show

This from the Cheshire Cronicle

TAKE part in Christleton's very own talent show at a family fun day being held at the Freemason’s Hall.
Visitors to the Cheshire View club, Plough Lane, between noon and 4pm on Saturday, June 6, will be able to enjoy a packed programme of events for all the family.
Cheshire’s Dee Radio 106.3 will be on the air with live broadcasts during the afternoon.
Attractions include a flight simulator, a bouncy castle, vintage cars, a balloon race, games, competitions and stalls to suit all the family, together with a grand draw for £500 and other prizes and much, much more.
And, in the main arena is a chance to become a star in the ultimate talent show, called The XYZ Factor.
All proceeds are in aid of the Cheshire Provincial Fund of Benevolence, which last year donated almost £50,000 spread between 11 Cheshire hospices, 12 medical charities, the RNLI and various young people’s groups and clubs.
In addition to this, Cheshire View will be open for those who might wish to inspect the venue for weddings, parties, and conferences, or just to have a guided tour of the Masonic Lodge rooms.
There is no entrance or car-parking fee.

200-year-old certificate

This Master Mason's certificate is 200 years old and was printed on vellum and presented in New York to a Richard Hitchings.

He belonged to Morton Lodge No. 20, and it is dated August 12, 5809.

A genealogy is affixed to the reverse and it relates that Richard Hitchins was born in Cornwall, England, in 1777 and married the widow Mary Gates in New York in 1804.

Richard died in Canada on February 18, 1845 and is buried with a Masonic emblem on his tombstone.

It goes for sale at Skinner auctioneers in Massachusetts on June 7 and is expected to raise several hundred pounds.