Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

"A Meeting of Freemasons for the reception of Apprentices" Plate 2
1809
Thomas Palser, publisher (active 1799-1843)
England: London
Ink on paper
overall: 12-1/2"h x 9-1/2"w
Loaned by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts
GL2004.3828

Colored engraving showing a Masonic Lodge room. There is a table and bench at one end with three candlestands around the room. There is a floorcloth at center (a tracing board). Twelve men are in the room. Most of the men stand around the floorcloth. Three hold swords. Two men are at the table facing a third man who has his hand on an open book on the table. All wear Masonic aprons and eighteenth century style clothing. Several of the men in the print have a number above their head. These numbers correspond to a column beneath the image on the left and the right with a key. The left column reads, "1 The master / 2 Speaker / 3 Candidate / 4 Secretary." The right column reads, "5 Senior Warden / 6 Junior Warden / 7 Treasurer." At center is the title of the print in cursive style, "Plate 2 A Meeting of Freemasons for the reception of Apprentices / The Candidate placing his right hand on the Holy Bible / solemly takes the Oath never to reveal the mysteries of Masonry." Beneath the title, it reads, "Published, Jany. 30th, 1809, by Thos. Palser. Surry side Westminster Bridge." Currently matted in a hinged cream matte.