Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic Master Mason Apron
ca. 1814
Edward Horsman (1775-1819) [design]
USA: Massachusetts, Boston
Ink and watercolor on silk, cotton
overall: 15-1/4"h x 14"w
Special Acquisitions Fund
89.66

Masonic Master Mason apron; square body with rounded corners and no flap; engraved and hand-colored designs; symbols include all-seeing eye, columns, beehive, anchor, sun, moon and stars, sword and heart, ladder with "CHF," urn with incense, ark, trowel, hourglass and scythe, globes, arch, square and compasses, Bible; on bottom "Master Masons apron or flooring / Copy Right Secured / E. Horsman Pinx."

Businessman Edward Horsman developed and copyrighted the design of the engraving plate (GL2004.0139) from which this apron was printed. Aprons like these continued to be sold after Horsman's death in 1819. Advertisements published in the 1820s noted that aprons “from the plate of the late Edward Horsman,” could be purchased at “the shop of Mr. Wm. Bittle.” In 1822, Horsman’s widow offered the “copper-plate together with the Copy Right” for sale. For further information, see Newell, Aimee E., "The Badge of a Freemason," 2015, p.124; and blog post, June 11, 2009, http://nationalheritagemuseum.typepad.com/library_and_archives/2009/06/from-insurance-executive-to-masonic-apron-designer.html