‘Fuller’s Past Masters’

     

Courtesy Hospitality and Catering News

I got all excited the other day when a Past Grand Master of New York posted a link on social media concerning Fuller’s line of Past Masters beverages. I had a few minutes just now to poke around the web and see what it’s all about, but am disappointed to see that the name evidently has nothing to do with Masonic past masters, but instead, I guess, brewmasters of yesteryear.

Even worse, there seems to be no distribution in the United States, so I’ll get to sample these only if I make good on my desired vacation to Blighty some day. (I know we can find Fuller’s flagship brew London Pride here, but that may be the only one.)

Fuller’s, dating to 1845, but with a heritage reaching back a couple hundred years prior, is a London brewery that also has hundreds of pubs and dozens of hotels across southern England. It’s a big company, and it was acquired a year and a half ago by the gigantic Asahi conglomerate of Japan.

What they’ve done with these brews is reverted to their archived recipes, and endeavored to recreate the flavors enjoyed so long ago. Being a pipe smoker who favors the Balkan, English, and Oriental varieties of tobacco mixtures, I know that even when an early recipe is immaculately preserved and perfectly understood, the needed ingredients may not be available today. But, with diligence and dedication, the right brewer can approximate.

Fuller’s started this project a decade ago and revisits another recipe every year, and the products are for sale via its website. From the publicity:


People say “they don’t make ’em like they used to,” but at Fuller’s, we certainly do. Since 2010, we’ve been delving back into our age-old brewing books once a year, to faithfully recreate recipes from days gone by.

Every Past Master we bring back is part of a limited run, with older versions already extremely rare. For that reason, the price of our Past Masters ales will increase as the number of remaining bottles reduces—and indeed, the price you see today may be higher tomorrow.

While they are crafted to be enjoyed as soon as they reach you, they continue to condition well beyond their official “best before” date due to the yeast that we include in the bottle. This second fermentation results in a more complex character and a flavor profile that will change over time.

The first in the series, XX is a strong, dark ale. Back in the 1890s, XX denoted a stronger than average brew. This particular recipe dates from September 2, 1891. Matured for three months, then bottle conditioned, it has a rich, round flavor with a distinctive, warming character.

Double Stout is the second in the series, brewed to a recipe from August 4, 1893, a time when ‘stout’ meant strong. Its signature ingredient is Plumage Archer barley, carefully malted and kilned using 19th century methods. Dark brown and creamy, this beer balances a rich fruity aroma with smoky, bittersweet chocolate notes.

Old Burton Extra is the third in series, brewed to the Old Burton Extra recipe from 1931. This ale is wonderfully strong and fruity; balanced with a pronounced hop flavor.

1966 Strong Ale, the fourth in the series, is brewed to a strong ale recipe from 1966 when it was drunk during the celebration of England’s victory in the world cup. This warming, dark ruby ale has a rich, rounded flavor with notes of plum and a velvety, warm caramel finish.

1914 Strong X, the fifth in the series, is brewed to a specially selected recipe that was drunk during the early months of World War I. This warming, strong mild ale has a fruity palate with notes of apricot and orange and a well-balanced malty finish.

1910 Double Stout is the sixth beer in the series. Deliciously dark, it’s characterized by smooth chocolate and rich coffee notes, with hints of Black Forest fruit flavor emerging alongside gentle bitterness from the hops. For any fans of dark ales and stouts, it’s a beer that demands to be tried.

1926 Oatmeal Porter is the seventh beer revived in the Past Masters collection. It’s been brewed to a 90-year old recipe to celebrate the occasion of the Queen’s 90th birthday.

1981 ESB is the ninth beer in the series. We’ve brewed something extra special to celebrate the career of Fuller’s legendary brewer John Keeling, who retired in 2018. This full-bodied, fruity beer uses the Extra Special Bitter recipe from John’s first day at Fuller’s in January 1981.

1909 Pale Ale is the tenth beer in the series and our first re-creation of this popular style. Darker than the pale ales we have come to know, this recipe combined treacle and sugar with malted barley, Goldings hops and the signature Fuller’s yeast for a smooth, well balanced and fruity beer.

     

‘Prayer for our communities’

Click to enlarge.

The Prince Hall Freemasons and Eastern Star Sisters of New York will gather for their “Coming Together to Pray for Our Communities” meeting. I think the graphic above provides the needed information.

Of course, June 19 also is Juneteenth.
     

‘Freemasons: The Enlightenment SJWs’

     

I don’t always agree with the president of the Masonic Society, but I think he’s got something here. The following is his message to the membership for June:

The faster society appears to spiral into oblivion, the more we, as Free and Accepted Masons, can be confident that our gentle Craft illumines the way forward. As I write this to you on the closing day of May, swaths of multiple American cities are left in smoking ruins following days of riots, looting, arson, and other savagery. Amid the current fog of war, seemingly everyone is pointing fingers at everybody else: It’s a rent-a-mob or it’s the far-Left or it’s the far-Right or it’s the Russians or maybe Martians. (The gallows humor in me recalls that funny hand gesture in the Table Lodge—following a very different kind of fire, and before a very different form of battery—when we ritually “Point! Left! Right! Point! Left! Right! Point! Left! Right!”)

In the rituals of many (most?) lodges in the English-speaking Masonic world, we reveal to the youngest Entered Apprentice the Four Cardinal Virtues: Fortitude, Prudence, Temperance, and Justice. Of the first, we, under the Grand Lodge of New York at least, say “this virtue is equally distant from rashness and cowardice, and should be deeply impressed upon your mind.” Of the second, we explain “Prudence teaches us to regulate our lives and actions agreeably to the dictates of reason, and is that habit by which we wisely judge and determine on all things relative to our present, as well as our future, happiness.” And Temperance, of course, is that “due restraint upon the passions which renders the body tame and governable, and frees the mind from the allurements of vice.”

That fourth virtue is considered apart from the first three. Whereas Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance concern our inner work, the refinements of heart, mind, and body, Justice causes us to look outward. It is a product of successful moral building in Fortitude, Prudence, and Temperance that we project toward others to aid in constructing a just society. The ceremony of initiation in my lodge says: “Justice is that standard which enables us to render to every man his due, without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with Divine and human law, but is the very cement and support of society; and, as justice, in a great measure, distinguishes the good man, so should it be your practice to be just.”

Courtesy Christie’s

The rituals most of us in America employ basically originate from the writings of William Preston, but there were other essential thinkers in Freemasonry in Preston’s time. William Hutchinson published his book The Spirit of Masonry in 1775. His book didn’t catch on quite as successfully as Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry, but, if nothing else, on the subject of Justice he thoughtfully advises:

“To walk uprightly before heaven and before men, neither inclining to the right or to the left, is the duty of a Mason, neither becoming an enthusiast or a persecutor in religion, nor bending towards innovation or infidelity. In civil government, firm in our allegiance, yet steadfast in our laws, liberties, and constitution. In private life, yielding up every selfish propensity, inclining neither to avarice or injustice, to malice or revenge, to envy or contempt with mankind, but as the builder raises his column by the plane and perpendicular, so should the Mason carry himself towards the world.”

And:

“Yet merely to act with justice and truth is not all that man should attempt, for even that excellence would be selfishness. That duty is not relative, but merely proper; it is only touching our own character, and doing nothing for our neighbor, for justice is an indispensible duty in each individual. We were not born for ourselves alone, only to shape our course through life in the tracks of tranquility, and solely to study that which should afford peace to the conscience at home, but men were made as mutual aids to each other.”

That sounds great, but where do we begin? In my April message to you, I urged we keep to the Masonic adage “Follow Reason” when trying to decode the various and changing communications from government to the public on the subject of COVID-19. This latest pandemic of rioting and destruction is said to have been ignited by a policeman’s killing of a civilian in Minnesota. The accused police officer is white; the deceased was black. It didn’t have to happen, and it shouldn’t have happened, but, for our purposes, Follow Reason holds true here too. There are facts that accountable public officials, civic leaders, news media, and others neglect to share with the American public. They have their reasons, but we have Reason. The Federal Bureau of Investigation publishes its annual Uniform Crime Report, a compendium of all kinds of data—some of them imperfect due to collection methods—concerning crime and punishment in the United States. Therein you will find how most arrest-related deaths result mostly in dead white people, and that white police officers kill white civilians. White police officers have killed black civilians. Black police officers have killed white civilians. Black police officers have killed black civilians. If fiery riots erupted after each incident, we’d be living in hell—an atmosphere of ceaseless deadly heat and no Light.

I close with more from Hutchinson: “Let us then, by our practice and conduct in life, show that we carry our emblems worthily, and as the children of the Light, we have turned our backs on works of darkness…preferring charity, benevolence, justice.”

Fiat lux. Fiat lex. Fiat pax.
     

'Grand Masters' joint statement'

     
The two grand masters of the two Masonic grand lodges in New York State have released a statement concerning current events:


Dear Brethren and Friends of Freemasonry in New York:

Masonry in New York is comprised of men of every race, creed and color. We respect and greet each other as Brothers. As such, any adverse treatment of anyone due to their color is anathema to our very tenets.

We have all watched with apprehension and concern the recent events unfolding on the streets of our City, State and Nation. While Freemasons may not all think alike, we accept and respect one another.

The core values of Masonry are basic and simple. We believe our ideals that all Masons meet as equals.

Each Brother will determine within themselves how they grieve the death of George Floyd. As Freemasons we do not approve of the destructive actions we are seeing, but we do approve of emulating the Brotherhood Masonry is built upon.

As Masonic Leaders we affirm our belief in brotherly love, relief and truth. We ask the Grand Architect of the Universe to heal the divisions within today’s society.

With kindest Fraternal regards,

MW Walter C. King
MW William M. Sardone

     

‘Build Your Inexpensive Masonic Library’

     

Every month, Open Lectures on Freemasonry takes to Zoom to share with viewers a, well, lecture on Freemasonry. This month, John Belton will present “Build Your Inexpensive Masonic Library.” From the publicity:

Open Lectures on Freemasonry

Saturday, June 27

2 p.m. Eastern

“Build Your Inexpensive

Masonic Library”

Presented by John Belton

Register here

The world of the written word has changed at a phenomenal speed over the past couple of decades, and in these days of Covid-19, when so many are locked down at home, it is possible to see rare Masonic documents in the near flesh, and to do serious research while sitting at home. The aim is to display the options from a modern “print on demand” production line, and to show where you can find 300-year-old books to download. You too can build yourself a digital Masonic library!

John Belton is a member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London, and he is the author of the books The English Masonic Union of 1813: A Tale Antient and Modern, Dudley Wright: Writer, Truthseeker & Freemason, and the anthology A Questioning Eye on Freemasonry. His main interests are for exploring those less travelled angles to (Masonic) history that often prove the most fascinating. Professionally, John started work as a microbiologist, then changed to marketing and worked for the pharmaceutical company Astra-Zeneca.

Only registered users could get an invitation which will be sent two days before the lecture date. Please note that the size of the audience is limited by technical capacities.

OpenLFM is an independent, informal, and benevolent initiative unrelated to any Masonic body or scientific institution. It is a collaboration of a researchers’ group with different formations, and coming from various parts of the world.

In this era, where the printed and manuscript word becomes ever more available through digital technology, new wider panoramas for the curious can open. OpenLFM, through its online lecture series on Freemasonry given by prominent scholars, will aim to demonstrate a range of new perspectives for academics, Freemasons, or simply the curious.

Lectures are audible, within technical limits, to those who are interested in the topic to be presented. Participation requires prior registration. Registration is free of charge. Registered users will be invited to OpenLFM Googlegroups and will be informed about forthcoming activities. OpenLFM beholds the right to reject any registration with no further explanation.
     

‘Masonic Temple’s The Bond bronze vandalized’

   

Photo credit: Daryll Slimmer

Artist James West’s bronze statue titled The Bond, depicting Franklin and Washington, installed outside the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia, has been vandalized. Brethren of University Lodge 51 removed the paint.

“For happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good…”

George Washington


“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become more corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

Benjamin Franklin
     

‘Nuts and bolts of public speaking’

     

Oscar Alleyne, the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York and the First Vice President of the Masonic Society, will be the next speaker in the SuperMemorize Academy/Legends of the Craft series. From the publicity:

The Art of Public Speaking:

A Nuts and Bolts Workshop

Featuring RW Oscar Alleyne

Friday, May 29

7 to 8 p.m.

Open to the public on Zoom

RSVP here

Everyone knows that public speaking is a big part of Masonry, whether it is ritual, a paper, or debate. It also is extremely important for everyday life. The ability to speak with clarity, confidence, and wisdom is a superpower. It also is one of the biggest fears for most people.

The Art of Public Speaking: A Nuts and Bolts Workshop will help you develop speaking competence by using a hands-on, small group approach. You will feel more confident and motivated to speak in any setting, and you will develop a deeper understanding of presenting to crowds.

We will dissect your current public speaking methods, eliminate any inefficiencies, and give you a series of tips, tricks, techniques, and ideas on how to inform, persuade, and educate your audience.

Dress code: Business Casual
     

‘Lexington & Rubicon lectures’

     
It’s becoming very difficult to stay abreast of all the Masonic lectures offered online these days. I no longer make much of an effort to keep track, but instead just look at the many mentions from friends that I see here and there. Even after this Chinese Virus fades away, online discussions will endure, and I believe they will chart the future of Masonic activities in the mainstream Masonic world. Private talks will remain private, but a lot of what’s available now involves general topics, and they are made accessible to the public. This—real Freemasons discussing real Masonic subjects—will accomplish more in Masonic outreach than would any ridiculous Dan Brown story, while also allowing Masons trapped in do-nothing lodges to see what is possible when Masons who know their business are at labor.

In Kentucky, both Lexington Lodge 1 and the Rubicon Masonic Society co-host a ten-part Masonic education series online. Tonight, Andrew Hammer will speak on “In Consideration of and Purpose of Our Craft.”

That will be 7 p.m. Eastern time. Click here to get started. Take note of the terms and conditions.

The series of lectures began May 4 and will end July 6. Previously, the brethren heard from Oscar Alleyne, Chris Hodapp, and Brent Morris. Future speakers will include:

• June 1—Christopher Murphy on “The Tavern Myth: Reassessing Early Lodge Culture”
• June 8—Dan Kemble on “Who’s Left Standing: Freemasonry After COVID-19”
• June 15—Michael Stoops on “Grand Lodges Today and Grand Lodges Tomorrow”
• June 22—John Bizzack on “Ode to the Way It Was: The Long-Standing Masonic Epidemic”
• and others to be announced.

The talks are recorded, and can be enjoyed here.
     

‘QC2076 conference is canceled’

     

“Freemasonry on the Frontier,” the conference planned by Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 for Boston this September, is canceled.

Not a surprise, I suppose, but still a disappointment. Those who paid their fees will receive refunds, if they haven’t yet already.

Hopefully this will be rescheduled before long.
     

‘Unfolding the Rose’

     
Mark Stavish, the founder and the director of studies of the Institute for Hermetic Studies, invites you to partake of the IHS’ introductory course “Unfolding the Rose” at no cost.

From the publicity:

“Unfolding the Rose” is a complete introduction to Western esoteric practices and their importance for your spiritual journey. Come inside and walk with us for a while as we travel the Path of Return. Explore the meaning of initiation, tradition, awakening, immortality, and personal mastery within the framework of qabala, alchemy, astrology, and contemplative mysticism as we seek the Light that can only be found within.

Click here.

This course is the basis for our long-lived audio programs based around our book, Words of My Teachers. The entire course “The Path of Return: Essential Teachings for the Journey” is available with an extensive array of support materials and additional audio programs. We strongly encourage each of you to enroll in “Unfolding the Rose,” as well as “The Path of Return,” as there are a substantial amount of teachings included that cover the entire process of the path, all in a clear and practical manner suitable for any student at any point in his studies.

We look forward to hearing from you regarding this course.
     

‘The post-COVID Masonic fraternity?’

     
Here is your due and timely notice:

The next episode of The Masonic Roundtable podcast will be a special one. Don’t look for it on the usual Thursday night, because instead it will air on Monday. This will be the brethren’s 300th episode, and I advertise it here because they will discuss “What Does a Post-COVID Fraternity Look Like?”

That’s Monday—Memorial Day—at 9:30 p.m.

I’m finally doing a better job of keeping current with the many podcasts that serve Masonic audiences, and I find few that remain consistently excellent in the long term. This is one of them. Discussion topics often are surprising; the thoughtful opinions are on the level; and there is great chemistry among the hosts.
     

‘Italian Freemasons support Catholic-Muslim signed accord’

     

The Grand Orient of Italy reportedly has endorsed a breakthrough document signed last year by the head of the Catholic Church and the grand imam of Al-Azhar University.

Meeting in Abu Dhabi last February, Pope Francis and Ahmad Al-Tayyeb added their signatures to “Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together,” a brief document that affirms, among other things, a “closeness between East and West, between North and South, and between all who believe that God has created us to understand one another, cooperate with one another, and live as brothers and sisters who love one another.”

This accord reportedly is hailed by the Grand Orient in its magazine, New Hiram. The current issue is not yet available on the GOI’s website, but National Catholic Register quotes it, saying the signed document “is ‘innovative’ and a ‘slow-release drug’ that could herald a ‘new era’ and represent a ‘turning point for a new civilization.’ ”

Read the entire “Human Fraternity” here.

In the sometimes impenetrable world of Masonic politics and recognition, it is with the Grand Orient of Italy that we Americans have relations, but the United Grand Lodge of England does not. (As it does in France, the UGLE does not recognize the oldest and largest jurisdiction in Italy, but instead has relations with the group that it itself established, but that’s a whole other story.)
     

‘Masons in a different kind of video’

     

Here is something a little different to enjoy amid our various online Masonic activities these days.

Two Past Masters of l’Union Française Lodge 17 in Manhattan have made an English-language short video. RW Bro. Francis Dumaurier explains:


W. Bro. Alan Bresson has just released a 10-minute video interview of W. Bro. and Executive Chef Didier Virot that you can see on YouTube, in which Didier recalls his coming up the ranks in French and American top restaurants to become the admired professional we all have come to love, both for his personality and for his achievements. Didier also explains in detail his passionate relationship with baking bread, and you may become a convert too after watching this video. The video was produced, directed, recorded, and edited by W. Bresson.

The sipping of a good glass of wine while watching this video is highly recommended.


Click here.
     

‘Knight Masons on Zoom soon’

     

The three councils of Knight Masons located in New Jersey will host Mohamad Yatim for an esoteric talk that will be shared with Knight Masons everywhere via Zoom.

Mohamad will present “Zerubbabel: Lessons in Liberty and Truth” on Thursday, June 4 at 8 p.m. Eastern time. This will be available only to Knight Masons, and advance registration is required.

Also in attendance will be the Most Excellent Great Chief of Knight Masons of the USA.

If you are unacquainted, the Order of Knight Masons is one of the invitational groups appended to the York Rite in the United States, meaning Royal Arch Masons in good standing may be tapped for membership. It promulgates the Green Degrees of Irish Freemasonry, so the rituals concern the Second Temple in Jerusalem. (And they are available in various forms throughout the York and Scottish rites, so I’ve always had a hard time understanding why we need this Order in the United States, but I digress.)
     

‘Mid-Atlantic Esotericon change of plans’

     

As civil and Masonic authorities around the United States are kind of, sort of, nearly about to come around and maybe announce progress on social gatherings, word has come from the organizers of Mid-Atlantic Esotericon 2020 of their change of plans.

What had been scheduled for four weeks from today in Virginia has been moved to July on Zoom. The website has yet to be updated, but excerpted from their announcement:


The 2020 Mid-Atlantic Esotericon will be a virtual, online event held on July 25, 2020. It will be a combination of Zoom webinar presentations and Zoom break-out rooms for extras, discussions, and collaborations.

Yes, we are issuing partial refunds since costs are reduced.

Yes, we are expanding the ticket sales (with modified pricing) since we can accommodate more people. We will have those updates soon.

Current ticket-holders will receive a survey with information about the swag bag, which must be returned within the allotted time.

We will be announcing the joint inclusion of another conference to our event, to spread the love and ensure that everyone can partake in this amazing venture.

Thank you again for patience, guidance, and support!

Joe, Kevin, Jon, and Jason
     

‘Take this Masonic Jeopardy! survey’

     
New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786 is preparing for some Masonic Jeopardy!-type entertainment, and wants to assess how a few exemplar questions would be received.

So click here and take this very short survey. Thanks!
     

‘Dead Sea Scrolls online conference next week’

     

New York University will host “New Discoveries on the Dead Sea Scrolls,” an international online conference, starting Sunday. The four-day virtual event is open to the public, with free admission, but registration—for each day—is required, so click here.

From the publicity:

Dead Sea Scrolls

in Recent Scholarship

May 17-20

Registration for each day of the conference, organized by New York University’s Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies and with the Friends of the Israel Antiquities Authority, is required by visiting the department’s events page.

Sessions include the following:

• Canon and Authority
• Archaeology, Realia, and Science
• Interpreting Dead Sea Scrolls Texts
• Science, Technology, and the Scrolls
• Ideology and Theology
• Qumran and the Sect
• Hebrew Bible and its Interpretation
• Cave 11 and the Temple Scroll
• Law and Liturgy

The four-day event will include presentations from researchers at the following institutions: Israel Antiquities Authority, University of Haifa, Yeshiva University, University of Manchester, Hebrew University, Yale University, University of Nebraska, University of Groningen, Bar Ilan University, Brite Divinity School, Catholic University of America, University of Maryland, University of Birmingham, NYU, University of Vienna, McMaster University, University of North Carolina, University of Toronto, Oxford University, University of Notre Dame, Uppsala University, University of Kansas, and Universität Göttingen.

The conference is supported by the Friends of the Israel Antiquities Authority in collaboration with NYU, the Global Network for Advanced Research in Jewish Studies, and NYU’s Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies.

It was nearly 30 years ago when microfilm(!) images of the Dead Sea Scrolls, which were hard to come by, were shared with NYU, an event I covered for the student newspaper. I’ll be glad to watch the findings today’s researchers will discuss next week—if I can understand and follow along.

     

‘Midnight’s Light Paranormal lodge’

     

Courtesy Midnight’s Light Paranormal

A random comment I just saw on Twitter from an English Freemason prompted me to look up something on the web, which led me to this curious item.

Evidently, for three years there has been a program titled Midnight’s Light Paranormal that airs occasionally on YouTube. There have been nine episodes, the most recent of which was from April 3. (It was filmed in February.) The producers say:

We are a paranormal investigation team located out of southwestern Ohio. Midnight’s Light Paranormal strives to provide its viewers with 100 percent real paranormal evidence, as well as a source of entertainment. We love helping people with paranormal related issues and making people’s voices heard. Through our investigation episodes, we display our professionalism and explain how it adds to the experience. If you have had an interesting paranormal experience or know of any haunted locations that you would like us to investigate, do not hesitate to contact us. Check us out on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Follow us into the darkness guided only by Midnight’s Light.

Courtesy Second Masonic District, GLO

The April 3 episode, titled “King Hiram Masonic Lodge,” is described thusly: “As the team heads back to West Alexandria, they have their eyes set on the mysterious King Hiram Masonic Lodge. This investigation is personal to many members of the team and the evidence that is captured is stunningly relevant. Watch as the paranormal and Freemasonry intertwine in another exciting episode.”

This lodge is King Hiram 88 in Ohio. From that description, I’ll guess one or more of the cast is a Mason. I’m going to watch it later tonight.

I know there are Masonic ghost hunters out there. When New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education met at the Trenton Temple, we were told several times of visits from brethren who, let’s say, are from The Lodge on High. It was explained that spirits are attracted to Masonic lodges where they had been members in life, because, yes, they are places the people loved, and also because the workings of rituals—the comfortable habits of repetition—render these spaces hospitable to the spirits. Nutley Lodge 25 also was said to have these visits.
     

‘Masonic Con 2021’

     

UPDATE—MARCH 2021: It’s been announced the event will be a hybrid. Those who currently hold the full package tickets may attend in person. Otherwise attendance will be online. There will be no vendors. If I understand correctly. Go to here.

UPDATE: Forget all about the information below. Forget New Hampshire completely. “Masonic Con 2020-ish” will take place at Ezekiel Bates Lodge in Massachusetts April 30 to May 2, 2021. Tickets available here.

Next May—that’ll be 2021 for those who have lost track of time due to being in lockdown—Ancient York Lodge 89 will host Masonic Con!

This is the Masonic Con of Ezekiel Bates Lodge fame; the two will co-host, but it will take place at Ancient York in New Hampshire on May 1. This time I’m going! (I always say that before remembering my aversion to leaving the house, but I’m really going this time.)

No news yet on speakers, programs, vendors, etc. I’ll report it all on The Magpie Mason when the announcements are made, but I don’t expect any of that before 2021.
     

‘An endeavor for perfection’

     

Sorry for the poor quality of the photo. Watch the video here.

Visiting a friend during the weekend, he was excited to show me this clip from a March episode of the longtime PBS series Antiques Roadshow that featured this amazing custom-made table decorated with Masonic symbols. (Turns out this was filmed at an event last year, on May 13, 2019.) You’ll see at the corners of the chess board an apron with the Square and Compasses, the Scimitar and Crescent, the Keystone, and the KT Crown and Cross. Freemasonry runs in the owner’s family.

Masonic things come up occasionally on the program. I remember the first item I ever saw was one of those early 20th century pocket watches. I think the appraiser put its value at a thousand bucks. This time, the subject is a singular work of amazing craftsmanship. Stunning.

Click here to see the video. The producers lavished nearly four minutes on this segment.

Please read the transcript of the interview below to revisit the historical details of the table according to its owner, and take due notice of how appraiser Brian Witherell assesses its worldly value—just in case your lodge has something similar laying about.


GUEST:
This table was made in 1900 by prisoners at the City of St. Louis Workhouse. My great-great-grandfather was the warden. And this was, according to family history, made as a gift for him. I know that his wife was the matron. They were there for some time. I don't know exactly how long that they were actually part of the, of the workhouse down there, but, um, it, it did seem, it's always been said it was a gift. It was presented as a gift to my great-great-grandfather.
APPRAISER:
I think you just have to assume that just because it's so finely crafted.

GUEST:
Yes.
APPRAISER:
It's almost customized for him, right?

GUEST:
Exactly. My great-great-grandfather and my family are Masons. It's got some Masonic symbols on it. They're Shriners. There's a Shrine symbol on it, as well. The thing I find most interesting is, it's 32 inches tall, 32 inches deep, and 32 inches wide. And in the Mason's world, 32nd Degree is the number you want to achieve.
APPRAISER:
Fascinating. So it's a parquetry table. So parquetry is, differs from marquetry in the sense that it's geometric forms that are inlaid in wood.

GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
The date is 1900, which is very visible because on the top, we can see where the one, nine, zero, zero for 1900. This undulating scallop top, fan forms on the edge, parquetry band with the games table in the middle, with the fraternal symbols in each corner. Beautiful, colorful bright table. Oak, walnut, mahogany, and there might be some rosewood in here, as well.

GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
Rosewood can come into play if it was ever going to be sold, which I doubt it will be, if it was ever sold internationally. It's not a problem to sell locally.

GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
If we move down the table, we can see these great, big, meaty legs that taper down into a very small hoof foot in the... A goat we think it'd be modeled after, a goat?

GUEST:
Yeah. That's, that's the thinking.
APPRAISER:
These beautiful acorns, and, again, a parquetry joint there, with the hearts coming down. Prison woodworking was a very popular thing in the 19th and early 20th century.

GUEST:
Okay.
APPRAISER:
For the logical reason that it taught people a trade.

GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
But it also kept them occupied and it gave them self-worth.

GUEST:
True.
APPRAISER:
And unlike either commissioned furniture or production furniture, there was really no time limits, right?

GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
I mean, they had nothing but time. So in here, you have an endeavor for perfection. And you can really see how this is finished almost perfectly from top to bottom. I've never seen anything quite as elaborate as this, you know? You will see simple examples, but nothing as complex as this one. Have you ever had it appraised?

GUEST:
I have not. It's been in the family. I'm the fifth generation. Hopefully my son will become the sixth generation eventually, at some point in time, much further on down the road. My father did up a note that keeps with the table with some census information that we keep with it. And he said if somebody at some point in time sold it, it might be as worth as much as $15,000. But it's never been professionally appraised. It's never really been out of the house.
APPRAISER:
Okay.

GUEST:
Except between moves, before it came here today.
APPRAISER:
Well, it's a one-of-one, you know.

GUEST:
Yeah.
APPRAISER:
So it's, we're kind of making a guesstimate.

GUEST:
Right.
APPRAISER:
Based on what we think comparable sales for such material is. Parquetry tables, despite all the worksmanship that goes into them, generally don't bring a lot of money. At auction, we would estimate this at $2,000 to $3,000. If you were going to insure it, probably double that.

GUEST:
Okay, right.
APPRAISER:
$5,000. It certainly wouldn't be an easy thing to replace.

GUEST:
Exactly. It's part of our family.
APPRAISER:
Yeah.

GUEST:
And it makes it special for me.
APPRAISER:
What a nice heirloom to share and pass down.

GUEST:
Very much.
APPRAISER:
Thank you for sharing it with our family.

GUEST:
Thank you very much.