Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Franklin Opening the Lodge
1896
Kurz & Allison (1880-1899)
USA: Illinois, Chicago
Lithograph on paper
frame: 37"h x 27"w; sheet: 28-1/4"h x 22"w
Special Acquisitions Fund
81.56

Lithograph titled "Franklin Opening the Lodge." Scene shows full-length portrait of Benjamin Franklin wearing a Masonic apron and collar. He holds a gavel in his right hand. Background shows a variety of lodge furnishings (columns, table with globe, chair with square and compasses at top) and a "G" on the back wall. The collar has a Master's jewel (square) hanging from its point. Franklin's apron shows a square and compasses with G and leafy sprigs. An all-seeing eye inside a delta with glory rays surrounding it is on the apron flap. Franklin wears a white shirt with ruffled collar and cuffs, a black coat, breeches, a vest, and stockings, as well as a black tricorn hat and shoes with buckles. His left hand rests on an open book. There are three columns at left and a globe on a table at right. Beneath image is printed text reading, "Copyrighted 1896 by Kurz & Allison, 76-78 Wabash Avenue, Chicago."

This print celebrates Benjamin Franklin’s commitment to Freemasonry. Franklin (1706–1790) became a Freemason in Philadelphia in 1731 and was active in the fraternity for over fifty years. He served as Grand Master of Pennsylvania in 1734 and as Provincial Grand Master of Pennsylvania in 1749. In this print, created a century after his death, Franklin wears a Masonic apron and a Master’s jewel, or badge of office, around his neck. In issuing this image, the publishers sought to appeal to Masons who wished to emphasize their connection with an organization with deep roots in American history. Louis Kurz (1833-1921) was a native of Austria. He came to America in 1848 and moved with his family to Chicago in 1852, where he began his careeer as a scene painter. He began to do lithographic work in Milwaukee, WI, during the 1850s, and served in the Union Army during the early years of the Civil War. In 1880, he entered into partnership with Alexander Allison, until at least 1899. For further information, see Hamilton, John D., "Material Culture of the American Freemasons," 1994, p. 109, 113; and blog post, September 3, 2009 http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2009/09/franklin-opening-the-lodge.html.