This mid-19th century scrimshaw with masonic motifs is coming up for sale in Maine, US, on August 21. It is being sold by Thomaston Place Auctions.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
Scrimshaw
This mid-19th century scrimshaw with masonic motifs is coming up for sale in Maine, US, on August 21. It is being sold by Thomaston Place Auctions.
Monday, 26 July 2010
Wally Hammond's regalia for sale
This masonic regalia once belonged to Wally Hammond, the great England cricketer - one of the best batsmen the game has seen.
The leather bag is labelled "Bro W R Hammond - Charity Lodge" the number looks like 4105, but the picture is poor.
The regalia, described by the auction house as "ceremonial sash and red strapping", is coming up for sale next month. The estimate is 150 pounds.
This from Wikipedia "Walter Reginald Hammond, known as Wally Hammond (19 June 1903 – 1 July 1965), was an English Test cricketer, who played for Gloucestershire in a career lasting from 1920 to 1951. Beginning his career as a professional, he later became an amateur and was appointed captain of England. Primarily a middle-order batsman, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack described him in his obituary as one of the four best batsmen in the history of cricket. He was considered to be the best English batsman of the 1930s by commentators and those with whom he played; they also said that he was one of the best slip fielders there had been. Hammond bowled at fast-medium pace and contemporaries believed that if he had been a less reluctant bowler, he could have achieved even more with the ball than he did. In a Test career spanning 85 matches, he scored 7,249 runs and took 83 wickets. Hammond captained England in 20 of these Tests winning four, losing three and drawing 13. His career aggregate of runs was the highest in Test cricket until surpassed by Colin Cowdrey in 1970. As of January 2010, his total of 22 Test centuries remains an English record, held jointly with Cowdrey and Geoffrey Boycott. In 1933, he set a record for the highest individual Test innings of 336 not out, surpassed by Len Hutton in 1938. In all first-class cricket, he scored 50,551 runs, the seventh highest total scored by any first-class cricketer as of January 2010, and took 732 wickets. He scored 167 first-class centuries, the third highest of any player as of January 2010. "
The sale is at Sporting Memorys in Warwickshrie on August 5.
Thursday, 15 July 2010
The Perfect Handshake
From the Daily Mail
It has been traditional greeting, a symbol of peace and a key part of business deals for thousands of years.
But today scientists announced that they have created a formula for the perfect handshake after it was revealed that seven in ten Britons are nervous about getting it wrong.
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of people said they lacked confidence when it came to performing the gesture, according to a survey for Chevrolet.
A handshake is an ancient method of showing friendship and signalling agreement but many Brits are unsure of how to do it.
Staff at the car firm will be instructed on the ideal technique with a five-step process and given the mathematical formula in a new handshake training guide.
On average people will shake hands 15,000 times in a lifetime.
How to do the perfect handshake:
Use right hand, a complete grip and a firm squeeze (but not too strong)
Ensure fingers are under the receiving palm
Position hand in a mid-point position between yourself and the other person
A cool and dry palm, approximately three shakes, with a medium level of vigour
Hold for no longer than two to three seconds
Keep eye contact throughout
Accompany with a good natural smile and an appropriate accompanying verbal statement
But the poll found nearly one in five (19 per cent) hated the act and were unsure how to do it properly.
The biggest problems were sweaty palms, limp wrist, gripping too hard and lack of eye contact.
Professor Geoffrey Beattie, head of psychological sciences at the University of Manchester, devised the equation taking into account 12 key measures - such as vigour, eye contact, hand temperature, positioning and length - needed to convey respect and trust to the recipient.
He said: 'The human handshake is one of the most crucial elements of impression formation and is used as a source of information for making a judgment about another person.
'A handshake reveals aspects of the personality of the person giving it - for example, a soft handshake can indicate insecurity, whilst a quick-to-let-go handshake can suggest arrogance - so it is surprising that up until now there has not been a guide showing people how they should shake hands.'
A third of women - 32 per cent - never shake hands while only six per cent of men avoid the gesture entirely.
Over half of men - 57 per cent -s ay they enjoy the experience compared to only 29 per cent of women. Hygiene-conscious women hate having to hold sweaty palms with exactly half identifying it as the biggest turn-off.
Only 32 per cent of men agreed with 42 per cent deeming a loose, limp-wristed grip a worse technique.
Les Turton, from Chevrolet, added: 'It is easy to overlook everyday rituals, but as the handshake is used to complete agreements it is important our staff are well trained so they can pass on trust and reassurance to our customers.'
It has been traditional greeting, a symbol of peace and a key part of business deals for thousands of years.
But today scientists announced that they have created a formula for the perfect handshake after it was revealed that seven in ten Britons are nervous about getting it wrong.
More than two-thirds (70 per cent) of people said they lacked confidence when it came to performing the gesture, according to a survey for Chevrolet.
A handshake is an ancient method of showing friendship and signalling agreement but many Brits are unsure of how to do it.
Staff at the car firm will be instructed on the ideal technique with a five-step process and given the mathematical formula in a new handshake training guide.
On average people will shake hands 15,000 times in a lifetime.
How to do the perfect handshake:
Use right hand, a complete grip and a firm squeeze (but not too strong)
Ensure fingers are under the receiving palm
Position hand in a mid-point position between yourself and the other person
A cool and dry palm, approximately three shakes, with a medium level of vigour
Hold for no longer than two to three seconds
Keep eye contact throughout
Accompany with a good natural smile and an appropriate accompanying verbal statement
But the poll found nearly one in five (19 per cent) hated the act and were unsure how to do it properly.
The biggest problems were sweaty palms, limp wrist, gripping too hard and lack of eye contact.
Professor Geoffrey Beattie, head of psychological sciences at the University of Manchester, devised the equation taking into account 12 key measures - such as vigour, eye contact, hand temperature, positioning and length - needed to convey respect and trust to the recipient.
He said: 'The human handshake is one of the most crucial elements of impression formation and is used as a source of information for making a judgment about another person.
'A handshake reveals aspects of the personality of the person giving it - for example, a soft handshake can indicate insecurity, whilst a quick-to-let-go handshake can suggest arrogance - so it is surprising that up until now there has not been a guide showing people how they should shake hands.'
A third of women - 32 per cent - never shake hands while only six per cent of men avoid the gesture entirely.
Over half of men - 57 per cent -s ay they enjoy the experience compared to only 29 per cent of women. Hygiene-conscious women hate having to hold sweaty palms with exactly half identifying it as the biggest turn-off.
Only 32 per cent of men agreed with 42 per cent deeming a loose, limp-wristed grip a worse technique.
Les Turton, from Chevrolet, added: 'It is easy to overlook everyday rituals, but as the handshake is used to complete agreements it is important our staff are well trained so they can pass on trust and reassurance to our customers.'
Thursday, 8 July 2010
100-year-old watch fob
This watch fob - which is 100 years old - is being offered for sale in the US by Universal Live. Worth about £50 it was seemingly made for the Banner Blue Lodge No. 924 in Chicago.
Friday, 2 July 2010
Cartoon
This cartoon is coming up for sale at Vennet-Smith auctions in Nottingham on July 14. It is estimated to for about £60.
Sunday, 27 June 2010
PR firm hired - again
Once again United Grand Lodge has hired a PR agency. This happens every few years and nothing ever changes.
From "PR Week"
The governing body of Freemasonry in the UK has called in external PR help in a drive to shrug off a 'secret society' image.
Since its inception in the 18th century, the practice of Freemasonry has been well known for allegedly using secret handshakes and other obscure rituals.
But the United Grand Lodge of England is keen to shed more light on its shadowy practices as the organisation approaches its 300th birthday in 2017.
The Lodge, which governs Freemasonry in England, Wales and the Channel Islands, has appointed Bondy Consulting as a retained consultancy to build greater awareness of Freemasonry and ensure the practice’s long-term future.
Grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge Nigel Brown said: ‘Freemasonry is now run as a modern business and it is important our communication reflects this. Freemasonry plays a unique role in society today and it is vital we encourage people to talk openly about it and dispel the many unfounded myths
associated with it.’
Freemasonry has 250,000 members, including 30,000 overseas. It is one of the world’s largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.
Bondy founder Jessica Bondy said: ‘We have been appointed to combat common misconceptions including those of secrecy. There are no secrets in Freemasonry and we need to encourage people to talk openly about it. Information is totally accessible for anyone that wants it and anyone can come into Freemasons’ Hall.’
Bondy, a former MD at Ketchum, also said: ‘There is no secret handshake – this is one of the myths.’
As part of the PR drive, the agency will also promote Freemasons’ Hall, which has featured in a number of Hollywood blockbuster movies.
Bondy was selected after a competitive agency pitch.
Ironically, both Bondy and the United Grand Lodge were tight-lipped about the Freemasons’ previous PR support.
From "PR Week"
The governing body of Freemasonry in the UK has called in external PR help in a drive to shrug off a 'secret society' image.
Since its inception in the 18th century, the practice of Freemasonry has been well known for allegedly using secret handshakes and other obscure rituals.
But the United Grand Lodge of England is keen to shed more light on its shadowy practices as the organisation approaches its 300th birthday in 2017.
The Lodge, which governs Freemasonry in England, Wales and the Channel Islands, has appointed Bondy Consulting as a retained consultancy to build greater awareness of Freemasonry and ensure the practice’s long-term future.
Grand secretary of the United Grand Lodge Nigel Brown said: ‘Freemasonry is now run as a modern business and it is important our communication reflects this. Freemasonry plays a unique role in society today and it is vital we encourage people to talk openly about it and dispel the many unfounded myths
associated with it.’
Freemasonry has 250,000 members, including 30,000 overseas. It is one of the world’s largest non-religious, non-political, fraternal and charitable organisations.
Bondy founder Jessica Bondy said: ‘We have been appointed to combat common misconceptions including those of secrecy. There are no secrets in Freemasonry and we need to encourage people to talk openly about it. Information is totally accessible for anyone that wants it and anyone can come into Freemasons’ Hall.’
Bondy, a former MD at Ketchum, also said: ‘There is no secret handshake – this is one of the myths.’
As part of the PR drive, the agency will also promote Freemasons’ Hall, which has featured in a number of Hollywood blockbuster movies.
Bondy was selected after a competitive agency pitch.
Ironically, both Bondy and the United Grand Lodge were tight-lipped about the Freemasons’ previous PR support.
Friday, 18 June 2010
"Inside the Ministry of Funny Handshakes"
From The Times...
"Inside the Ministry of Funny Handshakes"
Everything you thought about the Masons is wrong, says the man out to change their image
The first thing you notice is the handshake — firm, dry and apparently, orthodox. No odd grips, sliding thumbs or other obvious digital manipulation. Nigel Brown laughs. “One of my jobs is to get rid of these misconceptions,” he says. He is the new public face of Freemasonry, since his appointment as Grand Secretary, United Grand Lodge of England, in 2007.
Indeed, he is probably its first public face — there have been prominent Masons in its near 300-year history, such as the Duke of Kent, Grand Master and overall head of the Lodge, with 43 years in the role. But no one before has been charged with explaining the inner workings of the movement to a largely uncomprehending world.
The Grand Lodge is at Freemasons’ Hall, off Kingsway, Central London. Millions of Londoners and tourists will have walked past the white walls of this gigantic Art Deco landmark, which contains 11.5 acres of corridors, with little idea of what happens within.
Brown has offered to show me around and debunk some of the misconceptions. For one, this is not some hermetic temple. “It’s always been open to the public — we have managed tours.”
Alternatively, you could catch it on screen. One of the top ten film locations in London, it has featured as the HQ in Spooks on TV, in the latest Sherlock Holmes film and as one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces in The Green Zone, which, it must be admitted, required only one of the less imposing meeting halls.
Among the other misconceptions: Masons do not collude with each other to gain advancement in business. They do not use hidden signs, the “grips” or “tokens”, as they are known, to do this. It is not inimical to women. It is not a religion or an order. But yes, women cannot join men’s lodges, and yes, they do wear the relevant clothing — “regalia” — for ceremonies.
For other, more outré theories, see the wilder fringes of the internet.Freemasonry has, in its three centuries, attracted the hatred of the Roman Catholic Church, Hitler and most communist regimes. It is still seen by some as a vast, multi-tentacled conspiracy aimed at world domination.
Brown, 62, is the 13th Grand Secretary since 1813, when the movement in England and Wales was reunited after a half century of schism. He was brought up the son of a district commissioner in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, educated in South Africa, went to Sandhurst and became a captain in the Grenadier Guards. He went into business and became a Mason in 1985 — his father was not one, but an uncle, an Army officer, was. “A good friend who was a Mason asked if I had thought about it,” Brown says. “I said, ‘No, but tell me more’. What he told me was absolutely aligned with my thinking — the camaraderie, the rest of it.”
He found he enjoyed the ritual, and the three evenings a year Masonic events took up. In 2007, as he was winding down his consultancy business and approaching 60, he went through a month of vetting and interviews at the Lodge for the Grand Secretary’s job, the organisation’s chief executive.
“They wanted somebody who would run it as a business and open Freemasonry up so that people would realise what it was all about rather than what they thought it would be about.”
"Inside the Ministry of Funny Handshakes"
Everything you thought about the Masons is wrong, says the man out to change their image
The first thing you notice is the handshake — firm, dry and apparently, orthodox. No odd grips, sliding thumbs or other obvious digital manipulation. Nigel Brown laughs. “One of my jobs is to get rid of these misconceptions,” he says. He is the new public face of Freemasonry, since his appointment as Grand Secretary, United Grand Lodge of England, in 2007.
Indeed, he is probably its first public face — there have been prominent Masons in its near 300-year history, such as the Duke of Kent, Grand Master and overall head of the Lodge, with 43 years in the role. But no one before has been charged with explaining the inner workings of the movement to a largely uncomprehending world.
The Grand Lodge is at Freemasons’ Hall, off Kingsway, Central London. Millions of Londoners and tourists will have walked past the white walls of this gigantic Art Deco landmark, which contains 11.5 acres of corridors, with little idea of what happens within.
Brown has offered to show me around and debunk some of the misconceptions. For one, this is not some hermetic temple. “It’s always been open to the public — we have managed tours.”
Alternatively, you could catch it on screen. One of the top ten film locations in London, it has featured as the HQ in Spooks on TV, in the latest Sherlock Holmes film and as one of Saddam Hussein’s palaces in The Green Zone, which, it must be admitted, required only one of the less imposing meeting halls.
Among the other misconceptions: Masons do not collude with each other to gain advancement in business. They do not use hidden signs, the “grips” or “tokens”, as they are known, to do this. It is not inimical to women. It is not a religion or an order. But yes, women cannot join men’s lodges, and yes, they do wear the relevant clothing — “regalia” — for ceremonies.
For other, more outré theories, see the wilder fringes of the internet.Freemasonry has, in its three centuries, attracted the hatred of the Roman Catholic Church, Hitler and most communist regimes. It is still seen by some as a vast, multi-tentacled conspiracy aimed at world domination.
Brown, 62, is the 13th Grand Secretary since 1813, when the movement in England and Wales was reunited after a half century of schism. He was brought up the son of a district commissioner in Northern Rhodesia, now Zambia, educated in South Africa, went to Sandhurst and became a captain in the Grenadier Guards. He went into business and became a Mason in 1985 — his father was not one, but an uncle, an Army officer, was. “A good friend who was a Mason asked if I had thought about it,” Brown says. “I said, ‘No, but tell me more’. What he told me was absolutely aligned with my thinking — the camaraderie, the rest of it.”
He found he enjoyed the ritual, and the three evenings a year Masonic events took up. In 2007, as he was winding down his consultancy business and approaching 60, he went through a month of vetting and interviews at the Lodge for the Grand Secretary’s job, the organisation’s chief executive.
“They wanted somebody who would run it as a business and open Freemasonry up so that people would realise what it was all about rather than what they thought it would be about.”
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