Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Schooner Oliver M. Pettit of Boston Off North Point
ca. 1860
J. H. Hall
USA: Maryland, Baltimore
Oil on canvas
overall: 22"h x 27"w
Museum purchase
98.062

Nautical ship painting of a two-masted schooner flying American colors, a white swallow-tail pennant with red border inscribed "O.M. PETTIT," and a blue and white pennant with the Masonic square and compasses enclosing the letter "G"; in the distance (at left) a point of land; at the bottom is a margin reserve inscribed "Sch. Oliver M. Pettit of Boston off North Point, J.R. Clark Master J.H. Hall Artist Baltimore (?)"; in the canton of the American colors is a large central star framed by a traditional square formation of smaller stars.

With J. R. Clark as its master, the Oliver M. Pettit sailed out of Boston. In this painting, the vessel flies a Masonic flag that signaled someone associated with the ship—perhaps an owner or captain—valued his relationship with Freemasonry. When displayed in port, this flag would have invited fellow Masons to stop by for fellowship or business.