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: 8-1/4"h x 2-1/4"w x 1/4"d
Gift of Patricia Fé Andrews
2016.070.48

Masonic "Welcome Senior Wardens 1969" Ribbon Badge. Ribbon badge has pin bar at top; it 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 are several satin (likely synthetic) ribbons layered over each other and glued together; top ribbon is red, and underneath are white and purple ribbons (respectively); each has zig-zag shape to border. Gold stamped text overall; in red section, it reads "WELCOME / SENIOR / WARDENS / April 26, 1969 / [square and compasses with a G at center] / JEFFERSON / No. 553 / F. & A. M. / Robert Gow / Senior Warden"; in white section, "PAUL REVERE / No. 538 / F. & A. M. / Herman C. Rhoten / Senior Warden"; in purple section, "HARPER WOODS / No. 585 / F. & A. M. / Wilbert Casbar / Senior Warden". Bottom edge cut in zig-zag pattern. 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.