Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Scottish Rite Apron for Carl Leonard Lidfeldt
1911
Maker not marked
USA: New York (probably)
Ink and paint on leather, silk
body: 11-7/8"h x 13-3/4"w
Museum Purchase
2014.049

Masonic Scottish Rite apron with square body and triangular flap. White leather with blue silk border. Blue backing; machine sewn. Blue cord ties applied along top edge, end in tassels. Printed on flap in black is a double-headed eagle symbol with a delta with "32" at its chest. The eagle stands on a sword that is draped with a banner reading "Spes Mea In Deo Est." Under the flap, written in blue ink is "Presented by / Valley Lodge No. 109 F. & A.M. / George F. Hixson, W.M. / to / Bro. Carl Leonard Lidfeldt. / Initiated Mar. 21, 1910. / Passed May 16, 1910. / Raised May 31, 1910." Painted on the body is a gold square and compasses emblem with a G. Written in blue, with two on each side are Scottish Rite degrees: "Rochester / Lodge of Perfection / 14º / [banner with purple lettering] December 1, 1910."; "Rochester / Council / Princes of Jerusalem / 16º / [banner with purple lettering] January 5, 1911."; "Rochester / Chapter of Rose Croix / 18º / [banner with purple lettering] April 18, 1911."; "Rochester / Consistory, S.P.R.S. / 32º / [banner with purple lettering] April 20, 1911."

This apron belonged to Carl Leonard Lidfeldt (1883-1962). According to an inscription under the flap, Lidfeldt’s lodge presented the apron to him when he became a Master Mason in Rochester, New York. Handsomely painted notes on the body of the apron outline when Lidfeldt was initiated in each Scottish Rite body. Like another apron displayed nearby, this apron tells a story of accomplishment and reminded its owner of the Masonic milestones he had reached. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p. 208-211.