‘Anniversary edition of Anderson’s Constitutions’

    

Lewis Masonic

Lewis Masonic has revealed its new edition of The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, published to commemorate the tricentennial anniversary of its first printing in London. Better known as Anderson’s Constitutions, it is the book of jurisprudence, history, and other guidance commissioned by the first Grand Lodge of England, its authorship attributed to Rev. James Anderson, although it is thought that senior Grand Lodge officers had weighty editorial input.

Lewis Masonic

Left: front cover of the new edition.
Right: the original. 

It looks like a beautiful reproduction. On social media, Lewis Masonic says:

After careful examination of the original copies held in the archives of the Museum of Freemasonry in London, the cover border and central design have been painstakingly reproduced. Inside the contents are clear and set out in a way that is faithful to the original in terms of typeface, spelling, and format. The various decorations have also been carefully restored whilst keeping their character. Each copy bought directly supports the work done by the Museum of Freemasonry in London.

Read more about it here.

Of course the original dates to 1723, and this year there will be various celebrations of its publication. From Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 to New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786—and, I’m sure, other venues—discussions and toasts in honor of this seminal text shall be heard. The United Grand Lodge of England will hold an Especial Meeting to celebrate the text’s tercentenary next Tuesday.