Masonic engraving from 1798 for sale

This late 18th century engraving is being sold at Chiswick auctions with a pre sale estimate of £60-80.


The catalogue description reads:

Chiswick 60-80 A late 18th Century tinted engraving of the Masonic temple pillars with crest, etc, commissioned by B.R. Newman and painted in 1798 by J. Biggen, glazed and rosewood framed.Print size 48 x 41cm

Girl with a yellow scarf

This portrait is being sold by Adam's of Dublin and is estimated to sell for 1,500 Euros.

The frame is decorated with Masonic symbols and the catalogue description reads: Attributed to Henry Jones Thaddeus RHA (1859 - 1929) Girl with a Yellow Scarf Oil on canvas, 53 x 43cm (21 x 17”) Signed and dated Presented in a Victorian gilt frame with masonic symbols Literature: Rooney, Brendan, The Life and Work of Henry Jones Thaddeus, listed under possible attributions, page 278 Provenance: De Veres, 17th June 1997, Lot 87, where fully catalogued as a work by Henry Jones Thaddeus and where purchased by current owner

Drug-fuelled orgy at 'Masonic Lodge'

This from the Daily Mail via  WWMT-TV doesn't make the headlines one would like. But is a good lesson to research who you hire your building to!

Here's the story...

Police in Michigan, US, have broken up a shocking 'drug-fuelled orgy' being hosted at a secretive Masonic Lodge - and this wasn't the first time it's happened, authorities warn.

Officers were called to the prominent building in downtown Battle Creek, Michigan - which sits across a park from police headquarters - about 2.15am Sunday. They found five women dancing on stage naked.

They also reportedly discovered a couple having sex in the lodge and several men standing around filming the action.

 

WWMT-TV reports that authorities believe the Masonic Lodge, which is home of the secret society called Freemasons, has been used for such activities before and are working to shut the operation down.

Police sources told WWMT that officers found a 'drug-fuelled sex party' in the building and sent the revellers home.

The Battle Creek Freemasons refused to comment on camera for the TV station, but insisted that the orgy was not part of the secret society's rituals. They said the party was not sponsored by their group at all.

Instead, they say, a party promoter paid $900 to rent the space for the night.

'Charlie' a Freemason spokesman, said the man renting the lodge told the Freemasons he would be hosting a dance party.

The Freemasons said they checked on the party about 1am on Sunday and found nothing suspicious.

However, when officers arrived a little more than an hour later, they found debauchery, police sources told WWMT.

City officials say they are considering fines and charges, both against the party promoters and the Freemasons who own the building.

The report from WWMT does not specify whether drugs were found or seized.

A summary of a police report printed in the Battle Creek Enquirer newspaper mentions only the naked women dancing on stage. Police said they told the women to dress and to leave the primes.

Silver trophy for sale

This silver, masonic cup is being sold by Rowley's Fine Art in Newmarket, Suffolk.

The catalogue description reads:

A George V silver Masonic trophy cup and cover, hallmarked London 1925, maker’s mark of Johnson, Walker & Tolhurst

The domed cover with foliate cast finial, the baluster body with acanthus cast twin scroll handles, standing on a domed foot with gadrooned edge, on ebonised plinth base, inscribed From Hertfordshire Masters Lodge to The Rt. Hon. Lord Hemingford and dated 1944-45. 34.5 cms high overall.

Generally in good condition, expected wear, cup and cover approximately 28 troy ounces.

It is being sold with an estimate of £300 - 500.

Tracing boards for sale

These rather smashing tracing boards (click to view closer) are going under the hammer at Christie's Out of the Ordinary sale on September 5.

They are described thus:

A GROUP OF THREE PAINTED CANVAS MASONIC PANELS 
EARLY 20TH CENTURY 
The three panels painted with Masonic imagery and one with Hebrew inscription, with oak frames
34 x 20¾ in. (87 x 52.5 cm.) (3)

They are being sold with an estimate of £1.000 - £1,500.

Let there be ... lighter

This Cartier lighter with square and compass went under the hammer at Lawrences auction house in Surrey with an estimate of £400-£500.

It is an 18ct gold cased Art Deco cigarette lighter with diamond masonic motif.

Grand Lodge to reach out to a new generation

Grand Lodge is to hire a young person to reach out to a new generation. With social media it has never been easier to speak directly to those who might be interested.

Here is the article from the Daily Mail...

The notoriously secretive Freemasons are to appoint their first ever 'youth ambassador' to shake off their stuffy image as old men with funny handshakes.

The organisation, one of the oldest in the world, is advertising for an 18-25 year old to appeal to a 'younger generation' admitting few current members are aged under 30.

Although they are open to anyone over 18, male or female, masons fear many see them 'white haired old gentlemen in tweed jackets.'

Esoteric: The square and compasses is the emblem of the secretive Freemasons society

But they want to attract young blood to make the organisation 'relevant in the 21st Century.'

The ambassador will be expected to highlight the good work and other aspects Freemasonry can offer to younger adults and attend public appearances to recruit new members.

The successful applicant for the UK post does not have to already be a Freemason though they will be expected to become one and it is initially a voluntary job.

Whoever applies will be asked for their career and educational achievements but will also have their Facebook and other social media activity vetted, the organisation admitted.

Spokesman Julian Rees said: 'Freemasons do have something of an image problem with most members of the public thinking of us as a load of white haired old men in tweed jackets.

'We want to say, enough of that, it's 2013, let's start reaching out to all the wonderful young people out there and let's start making them aware of how becoming a Freemason can help them in life.

'Freemasonry offers a wonderful spiritual framework for life without being constrained by any single religious dogma.

'What's more it is open to anyone aged 18 or over regardless of their gender, race or religion.'

THE FREEMASONS: A MYSTERIOUS ORGANISATION THAT CONSPIRACY THEORISTS LOVE TO BLAME FOR MAJOR WORLD EVENTS

The first President of the United States George Washington was a Freemason

They plotted the French Revolution, designed the pyramids and faked the Apollo moon landings.
These are just some of the many conspiracy theories associated with the Freemasons.
The first Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717 and over three hundred years has collected an estimated 250,000 members in England and Wales and six million around the world.
Publicly, the Freemasons insist the fraternity is a non-religious meeting place for people interested in philosophy, self-growth and spiritual development.
But due to the mysterious nature of its rites and rituals it has become associated with secret handshakes and alleged corruption in police and the judiciary.
Prominent public figures who are known to have been Masons include the first President of the United States George Washington and leading revolutionary Benjamin Franklin. The Duke of Kent is known to be a Grand Master and formed a branch with members of the Royal Household in 2008.
Masons are widely believed to further the business and professional interests of brother Masons, although they would deny this and claim it is a harmless social and charitable organisation.
But author and broadcaster Martin Short whose book Inside the Brotherhood sxposed Mason practices in the UK, insists bizarre rituals such as the secret handshake exist.
Masons are widely believed to further the business and professional interests of brother Masons, although they would deny this and claim it is a harmless social and charitable organisation.
Former Home Secretary Jack Straw tried to address the issue of Freemasons working in the criminal justice system. In 1999, new judges were required to publicly disclose whether they were Masons.