Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Past Master Apron and case, Joseph Grossman, Mount Scopus Lodge A.F. & A.M., Malden, Mass.
1960-1961
Maker not marked
USA (probably)
a: silk, bullion, metal, ink; b: leather, metal, synthetic fiber, paint, plastic
a: 15-1/4"h x 20-1/8" x 1/2"d (not including belt); b: 17-1/2"h x 20-1/2"w x 1"d
Gift of the Glazin/Grossman Family
2016.030.1a-b

Past Master Apron and case, Joseph Grossman, Mount Scopus Lodge A.F. & A.M., Malden, Mass. a: OBVERSE: Apron, of white satin (likely silk) background, has light blue grosgrain ribbon (likely silk) trim that is edged with 1/4"-wide silver metallic trim. Flap features single, applied tau composed of light blue ribbed silk with bullion trim; body has similar applied taus, one in each bottom corner; and there is a central design of a Past Master's emblem (square, quadrant, and compasses with a sun at the center) in silver bullion with a wreath in gold and silver bullion encircling it 3/4 of the way around. Above taus, hanging from underneath flap, are two false ties of light blue grosgrain ribbon edged with silver trim and tipped with large, open coils of silver wire or bullion; where tops of coils meet ribbon, there is an applied silver decoration with a cloud-like shape (straight across bottom, with three humps along top, the middle larger than the outer two) which have a criss-cross design of silver wire over a background of finer, lined-up silver wire, and silver bullion trim. Waist belt is composed of light blue silk grosgrain ribbon, 2" wide, with a silver-colored rectangular metal buckle for adjusting length, and another rectangular loop at end which has a serpent-shaped hook affixed. On other side of apron, silver-colored metal rectangular loop is sewn onto 1" length of blue grosgrain ribbon. a: FLAP, REVERSE: Light blue satin (likely silk) in slightly different shade of blue from front of apron, with text stamped in silver ink: "PRESENTED TO / WOR. BRO. JOSEPH GROSSMAN / TWENTY-THIRD MASTER / BY / MOUNT SCOPUS LODGE A.F. & A.M. / MALDEN, MASS. / SEPTEMBER 27, 1961". a: REVERSE: Lined with light blue satin (likely silk) which is the same shade as that under flap. b: EXTERIOR: Rectangular case is covered with thick, black leather featuring a bumpy, lined texture. A gold-colored metal zipper runs around three sides, and the bottom edge features a sewn-on strip of black leather for reinforcement; where this strip is detached on top side, off-white, flexible plastic inner lining is visible. Case has rounded, black leather-covered handles on either side attached by silver metal rings to teardrop-shaped tabs which are sewn on near top. Stamped in gold ink just above handle on top side, "WOR. BRO. JOSEPH GROSSMAN". b: INTERIOR: Lined with royal blue satin (likely silk). Bottom side features a strip of silk near top, which extends over the length of the interior, and is sewn on at one end and fastened with a black plastic-coated snap at the other end, to hold apron in place.