Posted 12 years ago
W.J.Simone…
(1 item)
Need help as to when these pieces may have been made.
I am in possession of two Masonic watch fobs which I am trying to date. One is a gold Square and Compass double sided with what appears to be lapis sandwiched between the two sides. The other is a double headed eagle, 32nd degree Scottish Rite also in gold with an articulated 32 set in enamel, also double sided. Could anyone offer any advice as to where to look up any information about either of these pieces? There are no makers marks or any other inscriptions to indicate origin or date. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
William J. Simonetti, PM Eureka # 83 A.F.& A.M. CT
Most of these were not marked. Testing the gold content is a good starting point. Like the old saying, All that glitters isn't gold. The compass fob if it is gold (10k) double sided may go as far back as 1890's. If it turns out to be nickle then that would be a different story. We have some of my late father in laws Masonic items and they are difficult to research. Mainly because there were so many suppliers and many things were handed down from one to another and no written history to go with it.
Do the Freemasons have their own (written or spoken) language? I have what appears to be an initiation booklet but almost everything is written in a strange language.
In regard to your booklet, it is probably a ritual manual and although it appears to be some foreign language it is actual a sort of shorthand. Each country may have such type of book in the language of that country.
How would I read it?
As I said, it is part of the ceremonial portion of Masonic Fraternity and you must be a Mason to learn this.