Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Supreme Forest T.C.L. Convention Pin
1929
Hyatt Manufacturing Company
USA: Maryland, Baltimore
Paper, metal, ribbon, celluloid
overall: 3-5/8"h x 2-1/8"w x 1/2"d
Gift of Ursula Endress
2006.012.252

Supreme forest T.C.L. Convention Pin. The top pin is circular and has a white background and a horizontal pin on the back. On the front of the pin in the middle is an image of a green conifer tree with a gold outline and white accented branches. The conifer tree sits atop a blue ground with the letters "TCL" written in gold beneath the tree. Written to the left of the tree in red as well as in an angular wavy pattern is "27TH ANNUAL" "CONVENTION". Written on the right side of the tree in the same manner is "SUPREME" "FOREST". Attached tot the back of the pin is a half black on the left, half gold on the right ribbon that connects the top pin to the bottom pin. The bottom pin is circular with a gold outline and is larger than the pin above it. Painted in the foreground on the front of the pin are two conifer trees on the left and right sides of the pin, the trees are painted green with a gold outline and have white accented branches on a red background. The trees stand atop a blue ground with 2 lines of text written in the middle, "BALTIMORE" "MAY 15-16-17, 1929". Painted in the background of the pin is the face of a man with a green hat on his head, looking to the right and has a smirk expression on his face. The green hat on the man's head is triangular with a gold tassel on the top and falling to the left side of the hat. On the face of the hat are 2 light green conifer trees on an angle pointing to the top of the hat. Written in gold along the bottom of the hat following the contour is "BALTIMORE T.C.L."

Ribbons and badges have long been ubiquitous at Masonic gatherings. These souvenirs identified participants and their affiliations, commemorated a range of different kinds of meetings, ceremonies, and galas, and were a clear way for members to declare support for their Masonic group.