Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

Masonic "Welcome Senior Wardens 1969" Ribbon Badge
1969
Thomas Smith Jr. Co.
USA: Michigan, Detroit
Synthetic fiber (likely), metal, paper, plastic, ink
overall: 6"h x 2-1/4"w x 1/4"d
Gift of Patricia Fé Andrews
2016.070.39

Masonic "Welcome Senior Wardens 1969" 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 black typed text, "Emil Cruz SW / Schiller #263". Suspended from this is a yellow satin (likely synthetic) ribbon with black text printed on it: "WELCOME / SENIOR / WARDENS / 1969 / [square and compasses with a G at center] / FRIENDSHIP / No. 417 / F. & A. M. / Feb. 21, 1969 / Harold Nichols / Senior Warden". 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.