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rR&h.4.4. 6r
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Remarks on
Some Masonic
Book Plates and
Their Owners
<ip
By
A, Winthrop Pope
(^
BOSTON
1 90S
"BA
k Plates
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION
M, C. M. VIII
Remarks on Some Masonic Book Plates
in America and their O^vners
^ By Brother A. Winthrop Pope, of Rabboni Lodge, Boston
p. O. Address, Newton, Mass.
A. Winthrop Pope
FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION
M. C. M. VIII
Copyright, 1908, by A. Winthrop Pope. All rights reserved
Two Hundred and Fifty Copies
Reprinted from
The New England Craftsman
List of Masonic Book Plates in America.
The Busby Collection.
Alcide Chausse .
The Collins Collection.
Danforth.
Samuel W. French, 32nd.
Melvin H. Hapgood.
Grand Lodge of Iowa.
General Washington Johnston.
Silas Ketchum.
Kingston.
Masonic Library Association of
San Francisco.
John Fiske Nash.
Theodore Sutton Parvin, 33rd.
The Pike Library.
Alexander Winthrop Pope.
Robert Fletcher Rogers, 32nd.
S. M. Sener.
David McNeely Stauffer.
Supreme Council 33rd, Northern
Jurisdiction.
Supreme Council 33rd, Southern
Jurisdiction.
L. M. Taylor, 33rd.
David B. Wheeler.
S. Stacker Williams, 33rd.
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
FOREWORD.
In the preparation of my remarks
on some American Masonic Book
Plates and their owners I have had
valuable assistance from Secretaries
and librarians connected with the
Craft, also from brother collectors.
Mr. Frederick J. Libbie of Boston,
loaned me from his personal collec-
tion original impressions of the
Danforth and Ketchum plates for
the purpose of reproduction here. I
have been favored in the same man-
ner by some of the Brethren, also
by friends not connected with the
institution but whose plates bear the
symbols of their profession, which
have the same character as Masonic
plates. The well known collector,
Mr. Walter C. Prescott of Newton
Center, Mass. rendered important
assistance, as also did Brother Hen-
ry Mitchell of the Studio Building,
Boston, and also the members of
the John A. Lowell Bank Note Co.
All of the above have my most
hearty thanks. In addition to the
persons here mentioned I had most
valuable information from the Pro-
ceedings of the Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts, the Massachusetts
Medical Society Communications,
and the Boston Medical and Surgi-
cal Journal, also from the scholar-
ly and interesting essay by Dr. Rob-
ert Day, of Cork, Ireland, entitled
"Masonic Book Plates" which ap-
peared in the Ex Libris Journal of
December, 1903, and from American
Book Plates by Charles Dexter Al-
len, a volume indispensable to col-
lectors of American Plates. Mrs.
Zella Allen Dixson's charming little
volume concerning Book Plates was
of service. I am also indebted to
Right Worshipful Sereno D. Nick-
erson. Historian of the Grand Lodge
of Massachusetts.
It is a well known fact among
book lovers that their books often
mysteriously disappear from their
shelves and »are forever lost. To
prevent such occurrences many per-
sons, on becoming the owners of a
new volume, are in the habit of writ-
ing their names on the fly leaf with
pen and ink or pencil. Others u$e
a book plate. Now the question is
frequently asked What is a book
plate? So that a brief definition
right here may not be out of place.
A book plate is a label with a name
printed or engraved on it, inserted
usually on the inside of the first cov-
er of a book as a mark of owner-
ship. A simple label bearing a
name, like a visiting card, answers
the purpose, or it may be more elab-
orate and frequently is character-
istic in some manner of the owner,
— for instance a gentleman inter-
ested in the rubber business may
have a picture of a rubber heel with
wings attached, and the words Ex
Libris together with his name under
it, and he has a complete outfit in
the way of a book plate. The
heraldic book plate having the
owner's name and motto is one
familiar to the collector of these
little works of art ; such book plates
are sometimes used by Americans
who have n6 clear genealogical title-
to them. Others use little pictures
with appropriate mottoes or quota-
tions and owner's name or mono-
gram. Whatever form is adopted it
is intended to be a neat affair and
frequently is an ornament to the vol-
ume of which it forms a part.
A Masonic book plate is so called
because it bears upon it the em-
blems or symbols of Freemasonry.
It IS strange but book plates of this
character are few and far between.
The writer has a collection of many
hundred, and yet after careful search
is able to find that he has only about
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
sixty examples bearing the emblems
of the Craft. On this account how-
ever, it must not be supposed that
members of the institution are not
readers, or interested in books, or
do not use a book plate; quite the
contrary; many fine libraries and
many charming book plates are
owned and used by members ; never-
theless when they have their book
plates designed they apparently for-
get to have any of the Masonic em-
blems installed therein. What can
be in more appropriate taste than for
a brother skillfully to embody one or
more of the beautiful emblems of
Freemasonry in his book plate.
DANFORTH
Of early American Masonic book
plates but few are known, the Ar-
morial here illustrated
^t;?rt>?/
and described as follows:
Arms, argent. In chief, the all
seeing eye ; in base, a lozenge, azure.
Crest, three books, ppr.
Motto, "Ubi plura nitent non ego
paucis offendar maculis."
In the upper dexter corner a sun
in splendor.
Danforth
N. H. Sc.
is attributed by Mr. Charles Dexter
Allen in his "American Book Plates"
on page 190 to Dr. Samuel Danforth,
of Boston, and it is of particular
interest to us because both the own-
er and the engraver were of Boston,
and both were also distinguished
members of the Grand Lodge of Ma-
sons in Massachusetts. Samuel Dan-
forth was born in Cambridge, Mass.
August, 1740, and died in Boston at
the age of 87, November, 1827. He
was tall, thin and erect; his father
was Hon. Samuel Danforth, Judge
of Probate for Middlesex County.
He graduated from Harvard college
at the age of 18 in 1758, M. D. Hon.
1790, and commenced the study of
medicine with Dr. Rand at Charles-
town at a time when high repute for
skill in physic was requited by nine
pence per visit: he then practiced a
year or two in Newport, a place at
that time distinguished for its pros-
perity and its literary character.
Here he treated some difficult cases
with a success that established his
reputation, and formed for him
friendships which lasted during life.
He returned to Boston and having
married a daue^hter of Mr. Watts of
Chelsea, settled in HaJiover St. By
undeviating integrity he shortly be-
came elevated to the front rank of
his profession ; — when summoned to
the sick bed he investigated the case
with exactness and in all difficult
medical cases his opinion was relied
on as the utmost effort of human
skill. The confidence of his patients
was unlimited, and they feared de-
parture from his instructions almost
as they feared the judgment to
come ; and it is said that his counte-
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
nance beamed with all the dignified
complacency with which it was
clothed on beholding his patient rise
from a sick bed. He was called "the
most scientific chemist then on' the
stage," and when Dr. John Warren
suggested the starting of a Medical
School to the Boston Medical So-
ciety, at a meeting in the Green
Dragon Tavern, he proposed Dr.
Danforth as Professor of Chemistry
and Materia Medica; Dr. Danforth
declined the offer of this chair.
After the death of his first wife
he married twice, first to Margaret
Billings and afterwards to Martha
Gray. Later as his business in-
creased he moved to Pemberton
Hill, where he lived many years.
During the years 1795 to 1798 he
was President of the Massachusetts
Medical Society. He was corres-
ponding member of the Medical So-
ciety (London) and a Fellow of the.
American Academy.
In 1764, on the 28th day of No-
vember, he received his first degree
in Freemasonry, and became a
member of the Lodge of St. Andrew,
November 28, 1765. During the
years that Paul Revere was senior
g^and deacon of the Grand Lodge he
was jtmior grand deacon.
His book plate was made by
Brother Nathaniel Hurd, the first,
best and most interesting early
American engraver of book plates.
As an engraver and as an artist
Brother Hurd was not content with
one "style," but showed enough, in-
terest to do the Jacobean, the Geor-
gian and the Rfbbon and Wreath.
The only portrait of Hurd that I
know shows an alert face with large
keen eyes, and a young and vigor-
ous physique. He was born in Bos-
ton, February 13, 1730, and died De-
cember 17, 1777. About forty book
plates signed by Hufd are known
now, and perhaps fifteen others are
attributed to him with more or less
reason. He engraved the first book
plate for Harvard college. Brother
Danforth's is the only lx>ok plate of
Hurd's that is classed as Masonic.
Impressions of book plates en-
graved by Brother Hurd are much
sought for by collectors and have a
commercial value.
Brother Hurd was made a mason
in St. John's lodge, Portsmouth,
New Hampshire. In the records of
that lodge under date of July 3,
(Thursday) 1755, is the following
entry: "Nathaniel Hurd was pro-
posed by the Sec'y. to be made the
next Lodge night, and was balloted
for unanimously on the following
terms. Viz. That he furnish the
Lodge with a copper plate for sum-
monses, and a silver seal with the
arms of Freemasonry on it, and four
hundred stamps for said sum-
monses." July 17, one line records
this:"Nath'l Hurd made this night."
Neither the copper plate for sum-
monses, the silver seal with, the arms
of freemasonry on it, or any impres-
sion from the copper plate referred
to is known to the secretary of St.
John's lodge. It is a matter of inter-
est to us of the present day to know
that Hurd used the word "Brother"
in signing his engravings of this
natur^. The writer has an interest-
ing apd elaborate summons, dated
October 4, 1764, addressed to
Brother Jenkins, calling a meeting of
the lodge at the British Coffee
House, which was located at about
the present number 66 State Street,
Boston. The plate from which the
summons was printed is signed by
"Brother N. Hurd, Boston, fecit."
Brother Hurd became a member of
the Second lodge in Boston May 19,
1762, and shortly afterwards a mem-
ber of the Grand Lodge. He walked
in the procession and attended thd
funeral at the Court House of the
Rt. Worshipful Jeremy Gridley,
Esq., late Grand Master of North
America, which occurred September
12,1767. ^.;,:,
8
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
SILAS KETCHUM
Silas Ketchum probably designed
his own book plate. It is a circle.
Over the upper half is the name Silas
Ketchum and below Hopkinton, N.
H.; in the center a shield quarter-
ly. In the first quarter a G sur-
rounded by Square and Compasses,
in the second a Bible, third an awl
and in the fourth a pen. The Crest
is an owl with wings expanded hold-
ing in the mouth a lantern. Motto :
"Ex septem unus." Under the circle
"Cond. 1885," below that two rib-
bons, on one, "No.** and on the
other "$."
He was a son of Silas and Cyn-
thia (Doty) Ketchum, born in
Barre, Vt., December 4, 1835. On
his father's side he descended from
Governor William Bradford and on
his mother's from Edward Doty,
both passengers in the Mayflower.
In 1851 he took up his residence in
Hopkinton, New Hampshire, where
he learned the shoe maker's trade
which he followed until his father^s
death which occurred in 1855, when
he entered the Hopkinton Academy
and prepared for Dartmouth college,
but on account of ill health he did
not enter college, but pursued most
of the college courses under private
instruction. In 1860 he married
Georgia C. Hardy of Brooklyn, New
York and the same year entered the
Bangor Theological Seminary, pur-
suing the full course, never missing
but one lecture or recitation and
supporting himself and young wife
by working at his trade as a shoe-
maker. After graduating from the
Seminary he returned to his native
state of Vermont and became pas-
tor of a Church in Wardsboro' where
he remained for two years. In the
library of the Grand Lodge of New
Hampshire, Free and Accepted Ma-
sons, is a farewell sermon delivered
m Wardsboro', Vermont, Septem-
ber 24, 1865. On the inside of the
cover of this the following is
written : —
"In Sept. 1865, I was raised to the
sublime degree of a Master Mason,
in Mt. Lebanon Lodge, Jamaica,
Vermont. For this crime I was dis-
missed from the Church in Wards-
boro', of which I had been pastor two
years, and took my leave with the
following sermon. Four hundred
persons from seven towns came to
hear it.
Silas Ketchum."
He then moved to Brattleboro',
where in conjunction with D. L.
Milliken he was editor of the Ver-
mont Weekly and Semi-Weekly
Record, and the Vermont School
Journal, until called to the Church
in Bristol, New Hampshire, in 1866
where he remained until 1875, and
during his residence in Bristol he
served as Chaplain of Union Lodge,
and received the Chapter degrees in
Pemigewaset Chapter at Plymouth.
In 1875 he moved to Maplewood,
Massachusetts, and later to Windsor,
Connecticut. He was a man of many
activities, being one of the original
members of the Philomathean Socie-
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
^^^aj^yj
10
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
ty at Contoocook — "One of seven"
— from which the New Hampshire
Antiquarian Society grew, and for
six years was its Secretary and Pres-
ident; a member New Hampshire
Historical Society, New England
Historic Genealogical Society, The
Prince Society, The American An-
tiquarian Society and the New York
Historical Society. At the time of
his death which occurred in Boston,
April 24, 1880, he was engaged in
preparing a New Hampshire Bio-
graphical Dictionary, and also his-
tories of the Ketchum and Doty
families. During his life he gave
more than five hundred volumes to
the New Hampshire Historical So-
ciety, about twelve hundred vol-
umes and three thousand pamphlets
to, the New Hampshire Antiquarian
Society, and over three hundred
volumes to the American Congre-
gational Association, Boston, and at
the time of his death his library con-
tained about twenty-five hundred
volumes.
ALEXANDER WINTHROP
POPE.
Became a member of Rabboni
Lodge of Boston ia 1877.
My book plate was designed by
Jay Chambers of New York, and
shows a standing figure of a gentle-
man of the 1830 period, reading at
a high table. He is perusing a large
volume, his left arm resting on a
couple of other books, the back of
a third book showing on the table
and three others on the floor. Two
vases on the table to the right of
the reader indicate the fancy of the
owner of the plate for pottery. The
background, seen through a circu-
lar window, shows a bright spring
landscape, a succession of undulat-
ing fields bordering a quiet stream ;
the sky is light, with masses of
f louds. The ensemble suggests the
pleasant tranquility such as appeals
strongly to the book lover.
In the lower right hand corner is
the Masonic Square, Compasses and
G, worked in the design in an un-
tX L1BR15
ALEXANDER
WINTHROP
POPE.
obtrusive way, so that it becomes
part of the general scheme. (In
books not Masonic I use the same
plate with the Masonic emblems
omitted.)
JOHN FISKE NASH.
The rare book plate of John Fiske
Nash was taken from the cover of
a book found in the book store of
Pierce & Zahn, Denver, Col.
It is described as follows:
On an oblong tablet a square in
which suspended from a delta is a
patriarchal cross, on the lower arm
of which is a Roman cross,- and
cross paty. The field around
these emblems is irradiated; out-
side the square are pine cones
and sprigs of acacia. On a ribbon
above "Ex Libris" and on a tablet
beneath "John Fiske Nash."
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
11
•' 'U
■a^
l^i^gs-gsjff e;d- by
12
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
KINGSTON-WHEELER
The next two plates are men-
tioned in Charles Dexter Allen's
book "American Book Plates." (I
have never seen either of these).
Mr. Allen describes them as fol-
lows : —
No. 459. Santa Johanis Evange-
listae Sigilum Collegi Latoinoruni.
Kingston, Canada, 1794.
Vesica-shaped shield, on which a
robed figure holds an open book,
which shows Masonic emblems on
its pages.
The evidently erroneous Latin I
do not attempt to correct.
No. 928 Wheeler. David B.
Wheeler.
A Masonic plate. The ful! sun,
eight-pointed star, and crescent
moon are above the name, while be-
low it are the square and dividers,
crossed: the whole enclosed within
a frame of ornamental type.
Supreme Council 33d Northern
Jurisdiction.
The volumes in the Library of the
Supreme Council 33rd degree of the
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite
for the Northern Masonic Jurisdic-
tion L". S. A., bear the very appro-
priate book plate described as fol-
lows : —
The Jewel of the 33rd degree.
A double headed eagle of Prussia,
with wings displayed, an antique
crown resting upon their heads, over
the crown a delta surrounding the
figures 33 and radiating from it gold-
en rays, the eagle resting on a sword,
wavy, and suspended therefrom a
ribbon with the motto, "Deus Me-
umque jus."
Over the emblem in German text.
Supreme Council 33rd degree.
Below the emblem of the Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite, and on
a scroll, "Freemasonry for the
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction U.
S. A." Presented by
ROBERT FLETCHER ROGERS,
32d DEGREE.
Is a young member of the Craft,
a Guard of Boston Conimandery K.
T., and a Past Worthy Patron of
Middlesex Chapter, O. E. S., and is
a life member of eight Masonic
bodies including Mt. Hermon Lodge,
Boston Commandery K. T., and the
Massachusetts Consistory S. P. R.
S. He uses a very pleasing and ap-
propriate book plate of modem de-
sign, by Homer \V. Colby, one of
the first Boston artists to design a
Masonic Book Plate since the early
days of Nathaniel Hurd.
Here we see a Knight in full
armor on a horse in armor with
shield and lance at full charge, a
red passion cross on the shield and
a cross "'patee" on the saddle
blanket. In the back-ground a land-
scape representing a rocky mound
walled and castled in antique archi-
tecture.
PART II
SAMUEL W. FRENCH, 32d
ROMINENT citizen,
Freemason, physician
and designer of his own
book plates. When Dr.
^ French designed his
first book plate with the quotation
of Victor Hugo on the tablet, he
had no intention of making it a
Masonic book plate; the introduc-
tion of the word "Mason" was ac-
cidental. Chapter II, Vol. I, Book
V, of Victor Hugo's "Notre Dame
de Paris," frequently called the
"Hunchback of Notre Dame," was
his inspiration in devising this plate.
"The one will kill the other. The
book will kill the building. From
the beginning of things down to the
fifteenth century of the Christian
Era inclusive, Architecture was the
great book of humanity, the chief
expression of man in his various
stages of development whether as
force or intellect;" — "the Bible of
l^iEriiiir^riJiirirri^^
13
14
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
stone and the Bible of paper,"
all end in that beautiful alle-
gorical phrase: "All men are on
the scaffolding" etc., as on the plate.
In all this Freemasonry has had a
great hand. Dr. French's first book
plate may be described as follows : —
1. Greek border, Roman inte-
rior and Hebrew altar, standing for
the sources of classic literature.
2. Pantheon, typical of the an-
cient method of expressing ideas; —
opening in the dome tfor Jupiter
Pluvius.
3. Inscription from "Notre
Dame de Paris;" "All mankind are
on the scaffolding, every mind is a
mason, the humblest stops up his
hole, or lays his stone ; every day a
fresh course is laid."
4. Sacred eternal fire on an altar,
symbolical of the perpetual light of
literature and education.
The device expresses the hope
that his books will be heirlooms to
generations unborn; hence the last
sentence on the tablet.
Dr. French lived in Boston from
his earliest infancy until 1879. After
graduating from Harvard College
in 1873, he spent a year in Europe ;
on his return he took up the
study of medicine at the Harvard
Medical School and graduated in
1878. For two years he served as
House Surgeon and physician at the
Boston City Hospital; in 1879 he
left Boston and began the active
practice of medicine in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin, where he is still engaged
in his profession, though of late
years he has paid much attention to
his specialty, which is Gynaecology.
He was married to Minnie J. Board-
man of Danvers, Mass., in 1880. He
has been a leader in the organiza-
tion and promotion of medical in-
stitutions. In 1890 the Harvard
Club of Milwaukee was organized,
and he was chosen the first presi-
dent : he is a member of the Amer-
ican Climatological Association, of
the Board of Directors of the Wis-
consin General Hospital, and has
written papers for the local Medical
Society.
He is a man of many sides and
fads. He has played Hamlet on the
amateur stage, and can use the pen-
cil and brush, although the camera
has taken the place of both. While
not a performer on any musical in-
strument, he has always loved mu-
sic. He originated and managed
the tour of the Gerrish Masonic
Quartet of Boston, to Milwaukee,,
in 1894, where they sang at the semi-
centennial of the Grand Lodge, and
for numerous other bodies.
Brother French joined Wisconsin
Lodge No. 13, F. and A. M., in Feb-
ruary, 1884; after serving in vari-
ous offices he was elected Worship-
ful Master in 1893. Shortly after-
wards he became a member of Wis-
consin Chapter No. 7, R. A. M., of
Wisconsin Council No. 4, Royal and
Select Masters, and also of Ivanhoe
Commandery No. 24, Knights Tem-
plar.
He has received the several Scot-
tish Rite degrees up to and includ-
ing the 32d degree, and is now a
member of Lafayette Lodge No.
265, F. and A. M. ; Calumet Chapter
No. 73, R. A. M. ; Wisconsin Coun-
cil No. 4, R. and S. M. ; Ivanhoe
Commandery No. 24, K. T., and
Wisconsin Consistory, A. and A. S.
R., 32d degree.
In 1904, as Commander of Ivan-
hoe Commandery No. 24, Knights
Templar, he accompanied the Drill
Corps to the Triennial Conclave at
San Francisco, and when they re-
turned they were the happy posses-
sors of a trophy valued at eighteen
hundred dollars.
Doctor French is a Masonic stu-
dent, and is never so happy as when
trying to solve a Masonic symbol,
or planning a Masonic ceremony.
The Book Lover's Dream
The design of this book plate
came to Dr. French in the manner
illustrated; his daughter had criti-
cised his first plate as not dealing
enough with his personal character-
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
15
istics, and he was wrestling with lows : — The principal figure is a man
that idea when this dream came who loves his fireside, and is taking
to him through a combination of his ease before it. He has been
two plate«^, one of Egferton reading Ovid, and overcome for a
caliP Book- lutDiTS imim"
rfirxx
Castle and one of Karl Koch. It
was a long time before he could get
the drawing as he desired, as his
draftsman was many hundred miles
away, and the entire business was
conducted by correspondence.
The plate may be described as fol-
moment by the genial warmth of
the fire, he has dropped into a doze
while the book falls to the floor, and
the smoke from his pipe takes fan-
tastic shapes. Books, book plates,
designs, gods and goddesses are
mingled in his drowsy mind. The
16
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
light of literature seems to be sym-
bolized by the chariot of Phoebus,
while Mercury, the messenger of the
gods, throws messages earthward in
the shape of books. The Doctor has
styled this "The Book Lover's
Dream." The seal of his Alma
Mater is in the upper left hand cor-
ner, while love of the drama is
shown by the bust of Shakespeare
on the mantel. His artistic taste
is symbolized by the palette in the
lower left hand corner; his musical
taste by the violin on the table, and
his profession by the statuette of
of the plate. Ex Libris Sam'l W.
French, M. D.
S. STACKER WILLIAMS, 33d
S. Stacker Williams, son of David
and Mahala (Squires) Williams, was
born March 20, 1836, at Dover,
Tenn. He moved to Ohio at an
early age, when he attended the
Granville Academy, and having a
penchant for music made it a spe-
cialty; he became in time an ex-
cellent vocalist, and as a result was
a member of the choir of the Pres-
byterian Church for more than
Past Grand Master of Masons.
Esculapius near it. The Masonic
shield with emblems of the Scottish
Rite is over the mantel. His be-
lief in the Brotherhood of man is
shown by the Bible, square and
compasses. The armorial device in
the lower right hand corner shows
the arms and motto of the Frenches.
Light is typified in two ways : —
material, by the allegorical repre-
sentation of the sun; spiritual, by
the irradiated Bible with Masonic
emblems, and the library of books.
Motto: "I give light to all nations
throughout all ages." Near the base
twenty-five years; after leaving the
Academy he spent a number of
years in teaching school and vocal
music. He became the first Superin-
tendent of Public Schools in Hang-
ing Rock, Ohio, under the present
school system in 1856. From 1859
to 1866 he was engaged in stock-
raising, and subsequently devoted
years to the dry goods business in
New York City.
Brother Williams was made a
Master Mason in Centre Star Lodge,
No. 11, in Granville, Ohio, March
17, 1864; a Royal Arch Mason in
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
17
Warren Chapter, No. 6, Newark,
Ohio, February 6, 1865 ; he received
the Cryptic degrees in Bigelow
Council, No. 7, on the 8th of the
same month; was Knighted in Clin-
ton Commandery, No. 5, K. T., at
Mt. Vernon, Ohio, April 22, 1865,
and received the degrees of the A.
and A. S. R., 4th to 32d inclusive,
in the Cincinnati bodies, December
2 to 21, 1865. At the session of the
Supreme Council for the Northern
Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. A., held
in Providence, R. L, September 20,
1887, he was created a Sovereign
Grand Inspector General 33d degree,
and elected an honorary member of
that body. At the annual meeting
of his Lodge in 1864, he was chosen
Secretary, and in 1867 became its
Worshipful Master. For thirty suc-
cessive years he installed the offi-
cers of his Lodge, the last time in
1901, on which occasion, being un-
able to go to Granville on account
of sickness, the officers elect of the
lodge went to Newark, and were
installed by him in the parlor of
his home. He held membership
in all the Masonic Grand Bodies of
the State, and served them all faith-
fully in some official capacity. For
twelve years he was president of the
Masonic Veterans' Association of
Ohio, and was also president of the
National Association.
He was elected in 1885, and re-
elected in 1886 and 1887, Most Wor-
shipful Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Ohio, and it was to the of-
ficial service which he rendered to
the Grand Lodge that Brother
Williams's fame is most largely
due. He was a great Mason-
ic student, and for many years
an intelligent collector of literature
concerning Freemasonry, and this
valuable library he gave to the M.
W. Grand Lodge. His book plate
is: —
A fac-simile of his autograph, S.
Stacker Williams, together with the
words: Past Grand Master of Ma-
sons, placed under a shield bearing
the Williams coat of arms ; — Azure,
A lion rampant, argent. Crest, A
moor-cock proper. Motto: Cog-
nosce occasionem, and between the
shield and ribbon, Williams (in
script) another motto, Y FYNO
DWY FYDD on a scroll beneath
the name, alludes perhaps to the
Welsh origin of the Williams fam-
ily. It signifies "What God willeth
will be."
Brother Williams died before he
had an opportunity to make any use
of his book plate.
LEROY MORTIMER TAYLOR, 33d
We now come to the book plate of
Dr. Leroy Mortimer Taylor, 33d.
He was born at Delaware N. Y.,
April 17, 1836. At the age of
twelve he moved to Washington,
D. C, and continued to live there
until his death, which occurred Sep-
tember 27th, 1904. He was for a
number of years a page in the
United States Senate; afterwards
he became a clerk in the land office
of the Department of the Interior.
While serving in the latter position
he studied and graduated from a
medical school. As early as 1858
he became interested in Freemason-
ry and took membership in Federal
Lodge No. 1, during that year.
18
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
About a quarter of a century later,
or more particularly in 1884, he re-
ceived the Scottish Rite degees, and
between that year and 1891, all the
other degrees.
He gathered together a rare collec-
tion of curios, engravings, etchings,
draperies, etc., which he obtained in
all parts of the world during years
of travel. His library, where he
spent most of his time comprised
i^bout 5,000 volumes, the greater
portion being devoted to occult,
philosophical, mystical, magical and
kindred topics, embracing also spir-
itualism, physical subjects, and
works on Eastern and Oriental re-
ligions, and forming one of the best
collections of occultism in the
United States. He was nearly a
life-time in bringing together this
library, which cost about $15,000.
It was given to the Supreme Coun-
cil of the Scottish Rite, and bears
his name.
His book plate is somewhat diffi-
cult of description to one who is
not familiar with the symbolic char-
acters used by teachers of the her-
metic philosophy. Within a circle
formed by a serpent devouring his
tail, — the emblem of eternity, — is
a pentalpha, on the points of which
are mystical symbols; between the
lower points is a scimetar, the sym-
bol of death; on the horizontal bar
is the Hebrew tetra grammation ; in
the centre is a cypher combining
the crescent, cross and circle," em-
blematic of the three prominent re-
ligious creeds, below which are the
serpents of Esculapius, or his
daughter Hygeia, which may typify
wisdom, or perhaps allude to the
medical profession. The Masonic
significance of the five-pointed star
or pentalpha needs no explanation.
Beneath the device is the Sanscrit
motto, "Om mani padme hum," a
solemn invocation familiar to the
students of Buddhism, said to sig-
nify "Oh, the jewel in the lotus,
Om,'* the last word being a name
for their chief deity. Below is the
owner's name in script.
THEODORE SUTTON PARVIN
AND THE IOWA MASONIC
LIBRARY
Theodore Sutton Parvin, LL. D.,
born, January 15, 1817, was the old-
est of thirteen children born to Jo-
siah and Lydia Harris Parvin, in
Cedarville, New Jersey. At an ear-
ly age he met with an accident
which he relates as follows: —
"Workmen were repairing a dam
across a creek near the home of my
jchildhood, when, one day, rather
than be 'dared' by the little fellows
of my own age (some 6 or 7 years),
I jumped from the bank into the
sand below. That jump crippled
me for life, and thus ended the hope
of making a navigator of me (as
was my father's intention, he being
a sea captain). Owing to my lame-
ness, I could not join the boys in
their sports; hence I was thrown
much into the society of my mother,
a woman possessed in a remarkable
degree of all the loveliness of Chris-
tian virtues; to her I owe, under
God, all the good I have been able
to accomplish, aided in later years
by a wife like unto her; and I was
destined to plod among the books,
for which I soon developed a sur-
prising taste."
Brother Parvin graduated from
Woodward College, Cincinnati, in
1837. He had but just passed his
twenty-first birthday when he
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
19
sought to gratify his long expressed
desire and intention of becoming a
member of the Masonic Fraternity.
He received the degrees in Nova
Caesarea Harmony lodge of Free-
masons, of Cincinnati, May 9, 1838.
The first meeting from which the
history of Masonry in Iowa dates,
was held in Burlington, November
12, 1840. To Parvin was intrusted
the work of taking the necessary
steps to secure a Charter from the
Grand Lodge of Missouri, and of
forwarding the same to the Grand
Master. The necessary power hav-
ing been obtained, Burlington
Lodge No. 41 upon the roster of
Missouri, afterwards No. 1 on the
roll of Iowa, was instituted. Later
he secured a demit from Burlington
lodge, in order that he might join
the lodge at his home, and his
name appears as one of the peti-
tioners for Iowa lodge, which num-
bered 42 of Missouri, and was later
No. 2 when Iowa Masonry became
a separate body.
Mr. Parvin received all the other
degrees in Freemasonry between
this time and 1859, in which year he
received the 33d degree. He took
an active interest in introducing and
starting all the various Masonic
bodies in the State.
His interest in libraries and li-
brary matters was early shown and
given opportunity of development.
During his college days the college
library was his favorite haunt.
The Iowa Masonic library is lo-
cated at Cedar Rapids ; the building
was erected in 1884, at a cost of
about $35,000 ; and is the only Ma-
sonic structure (fire-proof) exclu-
sively used for a library. It is said
to be one of • the best equipped
buildings in the world occupied
solely for that purpose. The Free-
masons of Cedar Rapids showed
their liberality by giving the ground
on which the building stands, and
$10,000 in cash. It has sets of Pro-
ceedings of all the various Masonic
bodies, periodicals old and new,
both of this and of the old world,
and many hundred pamphlets most-
ly of a Masonic nature.
Of the first volume placed on the
shelves of this library, the follow-
ing amusing story is told : — Dr. Par-
vin was visiting at the house of a
young lady friend, where he found
on the table a copy of "Ahiman
Rezon." Becoming absorbed in the
volume he forgot his surroundings
and the young lady, until she sug-
gested that if he found the book
more interesting than her company,
he had better take it and go, which
he did. Certain it is that this book,
which was the first Masonic work
destined for the library, was pre-
sented to the Grand Secretary by a
young lady at whose home he found
it; but whether she gave him his
conge at the same time is not stated
in the more serious history of the
event. Brother Parvin placed this
volume in the library in 1844; he
continued in charge of it from that
day until his death, which occurred
June 28, 1901.
Among the objects of interest in
this unique collection may be men-
tioned its attractive display cases.
In the entrance hall stands a large
oak cabinet, twelve feet by nine,
beautifully carved, and bearing the
inscription "Presented to the Iowa
Masonic library by L. Harbach,
Des Moines." This case affords a
splendid opportunity to display the
rare and curious specimens collected
from all parts of North America
by the late Librarian during his
20
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
long life, and presented by him to
the library. There is also the East-
ern Star case, presented by the
Grand Chapter of Iowa, Order of
the Eastern Star, as a memorial of
their appreciation of his services.
In the centre of the hall of the li-
brary proper stands a magnificent
display case, forty feet in length,
six feet high and three feet in width,
with plate glass on all sides and top,
and large drawers in the base, mak-
ing a fine receptacle for large prints,
charters, engravings, charts, pic-
tures, etc.
Another case is devoted to the
display of autograph letters and
portraits of prominent members of
the fraternity from all parts of the
world, including elective officers of
all State and national Masonic
bodies, editors, authors, represen-
tative Masons, American and for-
eign.
Still another case was presented
by the Nobles of El-Kahir Temple,
of Cedar Rapids, and is devoted en-
tirely to Shrine material. These are
only some of the attractions and it
is quite true
"If you stroll through this Library* at your
leisure,
You niay find something for your pleasure."
For some years it has been cus-
tomary to loan Masonic books to
Brethren all over the State, and
there are many instances where not
only a single volume, but small Ma-
sonic libraries have been sent to
various portions of the country,
from Maine to California; in this
nianner was inaugurated the "Iowa
Travelling Masonic Library."
Some of the volumes in this li-
brary have a book plate described
as follows: — A scroll bearing the
name of T. S. Parvin, Librarian,
extending over the top of the cen-
tral device; above is a closed book
and resting upon it is an antique
lamp. Below the scroll is a shield
between two pillars each support-
ing a globe. On the base of the
left pillar is a mallet and on the
base of the right pillar two quill
pens crossed; against each base
leans a closed book. On the
shield the extended compasses
on a chevron between three
open books (no tinctures). Crest,
a radiant G. Crossing the
base of the shield a pen. These
arms are surrounded by a circle
lettered Librarian above, and Grand
Lodge of Iowa below. Between the
bases of the pillars. Founded 1844.
Motto, on a ribbon: — Vita Sina
(an error for sine) Literis Mors Est.
The plate used in volumes pre-
sented by Dr. Parvin to the Library
is a "portrait book plate,'' showing
Brother Parvin three-quarters fac-
ing to the left, in citizen's dress ;
below which in six lines, Theodore
Sutton Parvin, LL. D. Presented
this volume to the Iowa Depart-
ment of the Iowa Masonic Library.
Another attractive book plate is
used to mark some of the volumes
in connection with those mentioned
above. Description: The irradi-
ated Holy Bible open; on it a
square and compasses, crossed: at
the left. Number; above the Bible
on a ribbon. Grand Lodge, and be-
neath it, Library Instituted Jany
8th, 1844, Iowa in three curving
lines; beneath them a coffin; all
surrounded by a looped cable-tow
suggesting the form of a shield; in
the loops at the top are a gavel,
guage, and chapter working tools.
PAUL REVERE'S BOOK PLATE
Arms: — Barry, argent and gules;
over all, on a bend sinister argent,
three fleurs-de-lis, sable. Crest: —
A dove rising, argent. Motto: —
Pugna pro patria. At the bottom
at the right, Revere in script.
The tinctures as described are in
accordance with the engraving, and
show that Revere was not familiar
with the rules for "metal and color"
in heraldry. The crest in the en-
graving is not that used by his
father, which was an annulet. The
son adopted the motto. There is a
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
21
family tradition that Revere copied
his father's seal exactly as en-
graved; as his father's plate, still
preserved, also has a bend sinister,
the tradition may be doubted. The
French ancestral family arms bore
the bend dexter. It has been
thought by many that the "bend
sinister" is a dishonorable ordinary,
but this is denied by the best
heraldic authorities.
The arms are placed on the ellip-
tical cartouche held by a lion seated
owns the original copper plate
which was made by his great grand-
father, Paul Revere, and who has
been good enough to lend it to me
for the purpose of having this re-
production made. I am assured by
him that originally the plate bore
the full name ; but for the purpose
of making it a family plate, Paul
Revere himself removed his Chris-
tian name, and in that condition the
plate has remained to this day. Im-
pressions bearing the full name are
(not part of the arms), whose head
and copious mane appear above.
This book plate is not Masonic,
but I have been asked to include
it in this article, and, as he was the
Most Worshipful Grand Master of
the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
in 1795, 1796 and 1797, it seems
proper to comply with the request.
The plate is illustrated here in its
present form, perhaps for the first
time in any work on Ex Libris, by
the kind permission of Mr. E. H. R.
Revere of Canton, whose family
extremely rare ; one is owned by the
Revere family, and I know of but
two others. Only five book plates
are known to have been engraved
by Paul Revere. They are all rare
and much sought by the collector,
not particularly because they are so
nicely designed, or so well executed,
but because they are the work of the
distinguished patriot, the self-taught
engraver, and the curious artificer
or scientific worker in metals as well
as in Freemasonry.
PART III
VINCENNES,
MON AME EST A DIEU.
MON COEUR EST A MON AMI
ET
MES PENSES SONT A MOL
We now come to the truly Ma-
sonic and curious example of an
early western book plate of
General Washington Johnston*
who had two differing plates, both
unquestionably of his own design;
of these the earlier has fewer orna-
ments and Masonic emblems. But
one original impression of the first
and two of the latter are known to
be in existence: they were found in
Washington, D. C, about twelve
years ago. That first discovered is
thought to be the more recent plate,
and is described as follows :
(♦Note. The word General is part of his name, not a title.)
22
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
23
A device made up of Masonic em-
blems surmounted by the Johnston
family crest, — a winged spur. On
each side of the device are scroll or-
naments; on the left side of the
crest at the top, No.; space is left
for a number at the right ; under the
word No. is the all-seeing eye; and
beneath the space for a number are
two right hands joined; just under
these and near the center of the
field, are the square and compasses,
and below that "Vincennes" (the
name of his residence and his
Lodge), followed by "Mon Ame est
a Dieu Mon Coeur est a Mon Ami"
in five lines; under the motto.
"Genl. W. Johnston" in script.
The second plate is known to be
in existence in the possession of a
collector, but I have been unable to
obtain a description.
General Washington Johnston
was a charter member of Vincennes
Lodge, No. 1, F. A. M., Vincennes
Indiana, where his Bible containing
the family register in his own hand-
writing may be found upon the altar.
The Secretary still uses his ink-
stand, a combination of china and
ebony, and the Lodge carefully pre-
serves the old wooden gavel he
used.
Brother Johnston was born in
Culpepper County, Virginia; he
moved to Indiana, and settled in
Vincennes in 1793, where he had the
distinction of being the first attor-
ney admitted to the Knox County
Bar, of which he became a promi-
nent member, and continued in prac-
tice until his death. He held many
offices of trust under the Borough
of Vincennes, became Auditor of
the Territory of Indiana in 1813, and
during the same year was com-
missioned Treasurer of the Terri-
tory, serving until it was admitted
into the Union as a State. He was
several times elected a member of
the territorial legislature, and was
chosen Speaker of the Second and
Third Sessions. In connection with
John R. Jones, he compiled the first
revision of the laws of Indiana.
This compilation was published by
Elihu Stout, who established the
"Vincennes Sun," the first news-
paper published in the Territory,
and who was afterwards Grand
Master of Masons in Indiana.
Brother Johnston was the first post-
master in the town where he re-
sided, and was twice appointed
judge of the local court. He mar-
ried in Vincennes and was the
father of a large family. He died
there October 26, 1833, and there
he was buried. The house in which
he lived, built partly of adobe after
the old French style, with a long
porch in front, was torn down not
long since.
Vincennes Lodge was the first in
that town ; it worked under a charter
dated August 31, 1809, issued by
the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, un-
til it received a new charter bearing
date Jan. 13, 1818, after the founda-
tion of the Grand Lodge of Indiana.
On the records of the meeting
held April 3, 1809, the following en-
try appears:
"Brother General W. Johnston,
from the committee appointed on
the 17th ult. to draw up a set of
By-laws for the government of this
Lodge, which after being distinctly
read, article by article, and section
by section, were unanimously
agreed to, and being signed by the
several members, are ordered to be
safely kept and preserved by the
Secretary among the archives of the
Lodge."
They have been "safely kept,"
and are still in an excellent state of
preservation. They are handsomely
written with a quill pen by Brother
Johnston, who was a fine penman.
He was the most distinguished
member of the Lodge and the mov-
ing force which brought Masonry
into Indiana. At a meeting of sev-
eral Lodges in the State at Corydon,
Dec. 3, 1817, which was called to
consider the advisability of forming
a Grand Lodge, his name is the first
24
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
appearing on the records. At that
meeting he was appointed chairman
of the Committee to formulate an
address to the Grand Lodges of
Kentucky and Ohio, notifying them
that the Lodges represented had
determined to form a Grand Lodge,
and would recede from their Mother
Grand Lodge as soon as a State
Grand Lodge should be organized.
The address is said to have been "a
model of terseness and elegance of
diction." His first appearance in
the Grand Lodge of Indiana was in
THE LIBRARY OF THE
SUPREME COUNCIL
S.:. J.:. 33A
The Library of the Supreme
Council with its departments which
have been founded by prominent
Brethren comprises about seventy-
five thousand volumes and embraces
every branch of literature. It is es-
pecially strong in old and scarce
and out-of-the-way books. In gen-
eral literature of various countries
and languages, including poetry, the
drama, etc., it is especially rich, and
THE LIBRARY
OF
The Supreme Council, 33d, S.*. J.'., U. S. A.
-
=^
a^^^A
1
^^i^
the session of 1828, when he was
present as the Worshipful Master
of Vincennes Lodge, No. 1, Elihu
Stout of that Lodge being Grand
Master. He was chairman of the
Committee on Grievances, on For-
eign Correspondence, and of a se-
lect committee relative to the ap-
pointment of District Deputy Grand
Masters. At this meeting he was
elected and installed Deputy Grand
Master. He was also present at the
session of 1829, and again elected
Deputy Grand Master. He was not
present at the session of 1830, and
there being no quorum, owing to the
Morgan excitement, an adjourn-
ment was taken until December of
that year, but he was not present
and never appeared in the Grand
Lodge again.
in rarities and valuable reprints.
General Pike who was the father
of the library formed its nucleus by
his contribution of his own valu-
able collection, and as he was a ver-
satile scholar on nearly every liter-
ary topic, his library was a very
general one; after the donation of
this collection, he continued to buy
along the same lines for the Su-
preme Council, having agents
throughout the world, on the look-
out for his wants. It is one of the
best Masonic Libraries using a
book plate, and the volumes are ap-
propriately marked by a book plate
having the jewel of the 33d degree;
above it in three lines The Library
of The Supreme Council, 33d, S. :.
J. :., U. S. A. ; all surrounded by a
rule border.
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
2o
The Pike Library.
This was the gift of General Al-
bert Pike, who was born in Boston,
December 29, 1809, and received his
education at Newburyport and
Framingham, Mass. It is a miscel-
laneous collection of about five
thousand volumes, being his per-
sonal library which has been ab-
sorbed into the general library of
the Supreme Council of the 33rd de-
gree for the Southern Jurisdiction.
Thousands of the books of the latter
library were selected and purchased
by him, with funds of the Supreme
Council, of which he was the Grand
Commander from January 3, 1859,
until the day of his death, which oc-
curred in Washington, April 2, 1891.
poems appeared in a short-lived
periodical published in Boston in
1834-35; they were written on the
prairie while the poet's horse was
feeding at his side.
He was versed in many lan-
guages, including Greek, Latin, He-
brew, Sanskrit, French, Spanish
and Italian. It was not until 1850
that he became interested in Free-
masonry; during that year he was
made a Mason in Western Star
Lodge, No. 1, at Little Rock ; in No-
vember of the same year he became
a Royal Arch Mason in Union
Chapter, No. 2, also at Little Rock;
a Royal and Select Master in Co-
lumbian Council, Washington, D.
C, Dec. 22, 1852, and a Knight
His parents were in humble cir-
cumstances, arid although from
childhood he was surrounded by an
atmosphere of culture and refine-
ment, he was forced at an early age
to Dursue the occupation of teach-
ing, first at Newburyport, and later
at Fairhaven, Mass.; but he soon
made his way westward and became
connected with the "Arkansas Ad-
vocate," which he edited until 1834,
when it became his property. He
married in that year, and settled in
Little Rock, where he began the
practice of law, which became very
lucrative; it is said that on one oc-
casion he received a single fee
amounting to one hundred thousand
dollars.
He was an author, editor, lawyer,
soldier and poet. His best known
Templar in Washington Encamp-
ment in the same city, February 9,
1853. On March 20 of that year he
received the 32d degree of the An-
cient and Accepted Scottish Rite in
Charleston, S. C, and the 33d de-
gree (Honorary) April 25, 1857, at
New Orleans ; on March 20, 1858, he
was crowned an active member of
the Supreme Council at Charleston.
In 1859 he received the honorary de-
gree of Master of Arts from Har-
vard College.
In 1858 he had a unique experi-
ence. The death of Col. Albert
James Pickett in December of that
year led to a report of the demise
of Col. Albert Pike, and the latter
enjoyed in advance that rare felicity
of good fortune beyond even the
"happy opportunity o f death,"
26
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
coveted by the ancients, of perusing
glowing epicedian tributes to his
own "departed worth."
In the next month the appearance
at Washington in life and health of
the deeply lamented was celebrated
by a social festival, the incidents of
which have been fully recorded in an
attractive volume (privately printed
in August, 1859), entitled "The Life
Wake of the Fine Arkansas Gentle-
man who died before his Time." An
entertainment was given by J. F.
Coyle, Esq., and it was decided to
receive Pike with the genial usages
of an Irish wake. An eloquent
memorial was produced and a re-
sponse was made by him whose loss
it was intended to commemorate, in
terms solemn, affectionate and in-
structive.
The scene was enlivened by num-
erous contributions of others and
they were succeeded by a splendid
entertainment.
Brother Pike served as a Brig-
adier General in the Confederate
army during the war ; his estate was
confiscated, and retained by the
United States until after his death,
when a part was returned to his
children. He was given command
of the Department of the Indian
Territory and of all Indian regi-
ments. In March, 1862, at the head
of several regiments of Chero-
kees, he took part in the battle
of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. The Gen-
eral who commanded the Federal
troops in this engagement reported
that the Indians under Pike were al-
lowed to fight according to their
own methods. This charge was af-
terwards investigated by Congress,
but it was never confirmed.
His library was said to be one of
the largest and most costly in the
south, but it is not always the great-
est man who has the handsomest
and most expensive book plate; it
is a fact that very many elegant
book plates are designed and printed
which are destined never to see the
inside cover of a book.
The books in the Pike Library
are marked by a simple plate, de-
scribed as follows :
An oblong plate, having within a
rule border, The Pike Library of
The Supreme Council, 33d, S. :. J.:.,
U. S. A. in three lines; the lower
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
27
portion is divided into three sec-
tions ; in the left of these. Additions
by the Sup.:. Council with a space
below to show the department. In
the right section, the word No.
twice repeated and places for the
number of the volume; in the cen-
tre, the Pike family arms in an el-
lipse; Per pale argent and gules;
over all a chevron azure* between
three trefoils slipped; the tincture
in each role played by this distin-
guished Mason, orator, poet, his-
torian, soldier, diplomat, author, and
linguist, he had but one destiny, the
front rank, and in that brilliant line
he was ever the central figure.
His ability, learning and charac-
ter were recognized and honored
throughout the world, and he was
esteemed one of the greatest Masons
of the age in which he lived.
^i^^^BRBE
ARS LONGA VITA BREVIS ;
I i i i i i tn i i i M
of the trefoils is not indicated,
Crest, A pike naiant argent. On a
ribbon the family motto, which is
illegible in the engraving. The de-
vice is surrounded by a garter, on
which above, Albert Pike and be-
low, Grand Commander. A small
Teutonic cross follows his Chris-
tian name, and a triangle his sur-
name. At the bottom of the plate,
separated by a rule, Purchased 14th
May, 1881.
It is a chronological fact, as well
as a historical American truth, that
The donation of the Taylor col-
lection to the Supreme Council
prompted the Grand Commander
James D. Richardson, 33d degree,
to suggest to the Supreme Council
in session in Washington on Oc-
tober 16, 1905, the advisability of
making a portion of their library a
Memorial Library, the alcoves in
this particular wing of the build-
ing to be filled by some member
with books, and the collection
named after him, thus making a per-
petual memorial to his name, and
28
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
at the same time increasing the size
of the library. Brother Richardson
said that if the Council approved the
suggestion, he himself would fill
one alcove with works which should
relate alone to the politics, history
and the public men of the United
States, and the suggestion was
unanimously adopted by the Su-
preme Council.
States; then of sectional portions
like New England, the Western
States, etc.; travels by States, and
travels in possessions of the United
States. The librarian was many
months in selecting the 1065 vol-
umes of this welcome gift, which
cost about $1,300.
Brother Collins was born May 15,
1826, in Lancaster, Penn.; in 1851
THE
COLLINS
COLLECTION
OONATCD aV
Martin Collins. 33^
St. LOUIS
MO.
Htbrarg
nf tlf p
Buprtmt (Eflunnl, 33'
Class
No.
Martin Collins Collection.
As a result of this recommenda-
tion the first one to take advantage
of the proposed plan was Martin
Collins, 33d degree. Sovereign
Grand Inspector General in Mis-
souri, who chose the subject of
travel and descriptions in the United
States and its possessions. After
selecting this subject he furnished
the Librarian with funds to make
the collection. It comprises books
on the art of travel, general travels
and descriptions in the United
he married Miss Mary Crabbe,
daughter of Captain Crabbe of the
U. S. Marine Corps, and resided in
St. Louis from 1852 until his death.
May 25, 1908. He was for many
years a successful business man of
that city.
He was made a Mason in 1853,
and was often honored by the
Brethren of his State, serving them
as Grand Master in the Grand
Council in 1869 and 1870; as Grand
High Priest of the Grand Chapter
in 1867 ; as Senior Grand Warden of
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
the Grand Commandery, K. T., and
as Senior Grand Warden of the
Grand Lodge in 1865.
He received the 33d degree of the
Scottish Rite in 1865, and in 1867
was crowned an active member of
the Supreme Council. He has filled
all the offices in that body from
Grand Herald to Grand Constable;
in 1891 he was elected to the station
of Grand Minister of State, and
later served as Grand Prior. Broth-
chose science, and like Brother Col-
lins had the Librarian select and
purchase the books. It comprises
science in general, mathematics,
physics, astronomy, electricity, me-
chanics, geology, ethnology, botany
and natural history, with many sub-
classes of these general heads; it
cost $1,880, and comprises about
1,050 volumes. This collection has
been appropriately catalogued.
Brother Busby was born in Penn-
THE
BUSBY
COLLECTION
OONATCO BY
Wm. F. Busby. 33°
SeuTM McAlestkn
I. T.
Ctbrarg
of tl|r
Vaalringtoti, 9. d
ClaM
No...
er Collins was also an active worker
in the cause of charity, and for
more than thirty-five years the pre-
siding officer of the St. Louis Ma-
sonic Board of Relief.
William Busby Collection.
This is the gift of Brother Will-
iam Busby, 33d degree, of South
McAlester, Indian Territory, a
wealthy business man and an en-
thusiastic Mason of that town. He
ington. New Jersey, September 5,
1854. Early in life he went west and
settled in Kansas, where he became
a Master Mason, August 14, 1886, in
Temple Lodge, No. 237, at McCune.
He was made a Royal Arch Mason
September 21, 1887, in Parsons
Chapter, No. 39, in Parsons, Kan-
sas, and a Knight Templar, Nov. 11,
1887, in Coeur de Leon Command-
ery, No. 17, in the same city. He
received the Scottish Rite to the 32d
30
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
degree in 1895, in Topeka, Kansas.
He was elected by the Supreme
Council a Knight Commander of the
Court of Honor, October 19, 1897,
and was crowned Inspector General
(Honorary), 33d degree, on October
20, 1899. He has held quite a num-
ber of offices in the various bodies to
which he belongs, and is at present
Deputy Inspector General in Okla-
homa and Indian Territory.
from type with a somewhat elabo-
rate border of rule work. The upper
part in four lines reads: Extract
iFrom By-laws of the Masonic Li-
brary Association San Francisco;
the first and third curving; over the
word Masonic a small square and
compasses and under the line a bee-
hive. The remaining space is filled
with the By-law cited.
SEMPER VBIQVE
FROM THE LIBRARY OF
COLUMBIAN LODGE,
BOSTON.
PRESENTED BY
The volumes in the Collins and
Busby Collections are marked with
special book plates. The lower half
of each reads, Library of the Su-
preme Council, 33d degree, Wash-
ington, D. C. ; on the upper half is a
small half-tone portrait of the donor
in the upper left corner, and the
name of the collection, with the
donor's name and residence at the
right.
SAN FRANCISCO MASONIC
LIBRARY.
The Masonic Library Association
of San Francisco has a plate printed
COLUMBIAN LODGE, BOSTON
Columbian is one of the five older
Lodges in Boston, its Charter hav-
ing been signed by Paul Revere,
then Grand Master, in 1795. Its
Centennial Anniversary was cele-
brated in a most elaborate manner
in June, 1895. Its membership-roll
bears many distinguished names,
among them Winslow Lewis, who
was initiated in Columbian in 1830,
and elected Grand Master in 1855,
to succeed R. W. Bro. Randall (af-
terwards Bishop), who was also a
member; Grand Masters Jenkins,
Flint, Heard, Coolidge, and Briggs,
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
31
were also initiates, and many of its
Brethren have held prominent of-
fices in the Grand Lodge. Father
Taylor, the famous Seamen's Chap-
lain, was an Honorary Member, and
Chaplain of the Lodge for many
years. He it was who in discharg-
ing his clerical duties prayed that
the hard hearts of the Anti-Masons
might become as soft as their heads.
It was peculiarly appropriate that
this old Lodge should be the first
to adopt a book-plate. The leading
device is the seal of the Lodge,
which was designed, it is believed,
MASONIC LIBRARIES.
There are other large Masonic
Libraries in America: that of R.
W. Brother Samuel C. Lawrence of
Medford, Massachusetts, Past
Grand Master of Massachusetts, is
one of the largest, most complete
and best collections of the kind ever
gathered together. In certain de-
partments it is unexcelled. The
Grand Lodge of Massachusetts also
has in the Masonic Temple at Bos-
ton a large and choice collection of
books, pictures, medals, relics and
curiosities relating to Masonry.
^^,^3
by R. W. George G. Smith, (initiat-
ed 1819, and D. G. M. 1838-40).
This seal bears various Masonic
emblems, among which the pillars
surmounted by globes and the
working-tools of the Order are con-
spicuous; under the seal is the
Lodge motto, SEMPER VBIQVE,
beneath which, in three lines. From
the Library of Columbian Lodge,
Boston. Some of the plates also
have Presented by, with a place for
the donor's name. The name and
location of the Lodge appears on
the seal.
The Grand Lodges of Pennsylvania
and New York have fine libraries of
value to the craft, and besides these
there are many others, both public
and private but they do not use a
book-plate that can be termed Ma-
sonic to the author's knowledge,
and so are not included in this
article.
EMBLEMS ON NON-MASONIC
PLATES.
Non-Masonic book plates which
bear emblems of the Craft are not
uncommon; one displaying the in-
MASONIC BOOK PLATES
struments used by an architect, a
civil engineer, or a builder, — em-
blems of the same character as
those used by the Fraternity, — may
easily be mistaken for a Masonic
book plate. This is shown by the
examples here illustrated: not one
of those who used these attractive
plates was a member of the insti-
tution when he adopted it, but the
working tools of the profession of
each owner, or of some of their
ancestors, are displayed in the
plates designed to mark the vol-
umes in their private libraries.
My pleasant task would not be
complete if I omitted to extend
my warmest thanks to R, W.
Brother Oliver A. Roberts, the
genial Librarian of the Massachu-
setts Grand Lodge Library, and
Junior Grand Warden, and also to
R. W. Brother William T. R.
Marvin of Columbian Lodge of
Boston, and Past Senior Grand
Warden of the Grand Lodge of
Massachusetts, both of whom have
given much and very valuable
assistance, and whose names were
accidently omitted in the foreword-
4 <■ r»
4
1 rai
