Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

How to Raise (Raze) a Master Mason!
ca. 1830
Jarvis F. Hanks
New York, New York
Chromolithograph, watercolor on paper
sheet: 13-1/2"h x 17"w
Gift of Carolyn Keith Silvia
2017.049.4

Image titled, "How to Raise (Raze) a Master Mason!," which is printed along the bottom. Below the title is a row of printed text, "Published at the New-York Pilot office Franklin Hall No. 17 Ann St. by Jarvis F. Hanks." The image depicts a man wearing a blue tailcoat, yellow pants and a Masonic apron holding the arm of a second man in one hand and a maul in the other hand. A balloon by his mouth is printed with text, "Give me the Master Mason's word, or I'll take your Life!!" The other man is falling backwards and wears red pants rolled to his knees, a light blue blindfold and has a rope tied around his waist. A balloon by his mouth has text, "Is there no help for the Widow's Son?" Below him on the floor is a green cushion or mattress. A window at far right shows buildings and sky. Behind the central figures are four more men. At left two men wearing Masonic aprons stand together. One has a balloon with "Aye." The other has a balloon reading, "How sublime!" At back center is a man at a skirted table seated in a chair. A balloon by his mouth reads, "That's well done Jubelum!" The fourth man stands at the right.

For further information, see Newell, Aimee, et.al., "Curiosities of the Craft: Treasures from the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Collection", 2013, p. 190-191.