Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Apron
1823
Samuel D. Bettle, engraver (d. 1833); Thomas Kensett, original designer (1786-1829)
USA: Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre
ink on silk, paper
apron: 17"h x 15-1/2"w x 1/8"d
Special Acquisitions Fund
77.24

Masonic Apron has rectangular body with rounded corners and false rounded flap; white silk apron with peach fringe; affixed to cardboard backing; false flap: engraved in ink with all-seeing eye; on apron: engraved in ink, four-tiered temple with sun, moon, and figure of Charity at top; at left and right angles holding swag that reads "Hail! Heavenly virtue! Thine's a sacred flame!"; columns left and right with globes on top; other Masonic symbols within; broken column at left; attached label (recounted in label text) affixed to board below apron.

Text on attached label: "This Masonic apron was made at Wilkes-Barre in 1823. The body is composed of white satin and the elaborate symbolic and emblematic design with which it is embellished was drawn, engraved on copper, and imprinted upon the satin by Bro. Samuel D. Bettle of Wilkes-Barre, a member of Lodge No. 61 from January 20, 1823 until his death, Nov. 10, 1833. This particular apron became in 1823 the property of and thereafter was worn on Masonic occasions by Bro. Jonathan Bulkeley of Wilkes-Barre who was a member of Lodge No. 61, from June 21, 1814 until his death, March 1, 1867. Then the apron became the property of Bro. Jonathan Eliphalet Bulkeley M.D., eldest child of the abovenamed Jonathan Bulkeley, who was a member of Lodge No. 61 from February 6, 1855, until December 20, 1885 when he died. Thereupon his sister, Mrs. France (Bulkeley) Brundage of Wilkes-Barre came into the possession of the apron and by her it was presented to Lodge No. 61 on St. John's Day, (December 27), 1907." For more information, see blog post, July 1, 2010, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2010/07/an-unfinished-apron.html