Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic "Welcome Senior Wardens 1969" Ribbon Badge
1966
Thomas Smith Jr. Co.
USA: Michigan, Detroit
Synthetic fiber (likely), metal, paper, plastic, ink
overall: 6-3/4"h x 2-1/4"w x 1/4"d
Gift of Patricia Fé Andrews
2016.070.41

Masonic "Welcome Senior Wardens 1966" Ribbon Badge. Ribbon badge has pin bar at top that features a rectangular cast gold-colored metal frame with a raised geometric decorative border; inside frame is a white piece of paper (covered with a piece of clear plastic) with the typed text, "Emil Cruz J.D. [in black] / Schiller # 263 [in red]". Suspended from this is a purple satin (likely synthetic) ribbon with gold text printed on it: "WELCOME / SENIOR / WARDENS / March 30,1966 / [square and compasses with a G at center] / PHOENICIA / No. 531 / Bert W. Brayman [possibly] / Senior Warden / SCHILLER / No. 263 / Frank Buerkle / Senior Warden / F. & A. M.". Bottom tip of ribbon cut in a chevron shape. On reverse, pin is gold-colored metal with spring hinge; sewn along top of ribbon is off-white rectangular manufacturer's tag with the text printed in blue: "Mfg. By / THOMAS SMITH JR. CO. / 114 W 7 MILE ROAD / DETROIT 3 MICHIGAN / FOREST 6-1050 / PRIZE RIBBONS & ROSETTES / CELLULOID BUTTONS / TROPHIES - ENGRAVING".

This item belonged to Emil Cruz. Cruz (1904–1983), born in the Philippines, emigrated to the United States in 1924 at the age of 19 and eventually worked as a jeweler. He was a member of Schiller Lodge No. 263 and Damascus Commandery No. 42, both located in Detroit.