The latest exhibit features folk art fraternal items.  Freemasonry is, of course, well represented, but the show [...]]]> The Webb Gallery sounds like my kind of place.  Located 30 miles south of Dallas, Texas, it houses the curious collection of folk art, carnival banners, and fraternal objects that the Webbs have amassed over the last 20 years.

The latest exhibit features folk art fraternal items.  Freemasonry is, of course, well represented, but the show also features objects from the Odd Fellows, Elks and other fraternal orders.  The show is called Art of the Secret Society. Here is the gallery’s website.

Col. C. Dorsey

If, like me, you are fascinated by Masonic folk art, Ebay is an absolute treasure trove of this stuff.  Check out, for example, this magnificent Civil War era carved Masonic walking stick.  It was carved by Confederate Col. C. Dorsey while he was being held in a Union prisoner of war at Camp Chase, Ohio.

Ye Sons of Old Killie by Robert Burns

YE sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie, To follow the [...]]]> Wow.  An incredibly rare and significant piece of Masonic regalia, a Masonic apron once owned and worn by Brother Robert Burns, will go on the auction block at Bonham’s later this month.   See the UK Press Association story here.

Ye Sons of Old Killie by Robert Burns

YE sons of old Killie, assembled by Willie,
To follow the noble vocation;
Your thrifty old mother has scarce such another
To sit in that honoured station.
I’ve little to say, but only to pray,
As praying’s the ton of your fashion;
A prayer from thee Muse you well may excuse
’Tis seldom her favourite passion.

Ye powers who preside o’er the wind, and the tide,
Who markèd each element’s border;
Who formed this frame with beneficent aim,
Whose sovereign statute is order:—
Within this dear mansion, may wayward Contention
Or witherèd Envy ne’er enter;
May secrecy round be the mystical bound,
And brotherly Love be the centre!

When Freemasons see the square and compasses, the traditional emblem of Freemasonry, they usually think of what these architectural drafting tools represent: A person acting on the square (as in “that was a square deal”) and circumscribing their actions within the circle of proper conduct. The square and compasses [...]]]> The Square and Compasses of Freemasonry

When Freemasons see the square and compasses, the traditional emblem of Freemasonry, they usually think of what these architectural drafting tools represent: A person acting on the square (as in “that was a square deal”) and circumscribing their actions within the circle of proper conduct. The square and compasses symbol, however, may not always be what it seems.

In the mid nineteenth century a “fraternal” organization, the Order of United American Mechanics (the OUAM), formed in response to the wave of immigration that the United States was experiencing. This society was strongly anti-immigration and, one could say, downright bigoted. Remember reading about those “Irish need not apply” signs? That was these guys.

The Emblem of the Order of United American Mechanics

The OUAO took the familiar Masonic square and compasses and added the also familiar arm and hammer mark to form their emblem. As this group’s goals were in such profound opposition to Freemasonry’s teachings of universal brotherhood, Freemasons were, not surprisingly, incensed. In fact, lawsuits were inititated to stop the OUAM from stealing the emblem, but were not succesful.

Why would an obscure, and defunct, group of nineteenth century bigots be relevant to contemporary Freemasonry? As a collector of old Masonic regalia, I come across a surprising amount of OUAM items on Ebay under the search term “Masonic”. When I do, I feel obliged to email the usually oblivious seller to inform them that the item is certainly *not* Masonic. So when you are looking for great old Masonic regalia on Ebay, be sure to examine the pictures closely. If there is an arm and hammer in the emblem, keep on scrolling.