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It’s All in the Case: Bible Boxes

Traditionally, Bibles were held in containers known as “Bible Boxes.” A box such as this would be used to store a Bible, as well as protect it while it was being transported. Popular in the 17th century, boxes were ornate and made out of wood, metal, or even ceramics.

However, as modern forms of mailing and transportation came about, these Bible Boxes became subdued in style, but more pragmatic for modern shipping. The boxes started to look more like what we consider today as a FedEx box.
        Our collection of Bibles in Bible Boxes.
Let us deconstruct one of our Bibles that is encased in a Bible Box.
                               Our example.
Bibles would be sold in these boxes by the publishers, which would often be indicated on the side of the box. This particular Bible was being distributed by the publisher Nelson.
                               Side of the box.
Then, as seen by this example, the top of the box could be pasted over with paper, stamped, and shipped out to another recipient. In our example here, there are two 3 cents stamps on the pasted paper, along with a postmark. The postmark, unfortunately, does not include a date.
However, on this top cover, it faintly reads (in pencil!) that the recipient is “Hon. Samuel Nelson Sawyer,” who was the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York F. & A.M. from 1908-1909. And, the Bible inside the box, which is from Sea & Field Lodge No. 1 F. & A. M., is dated as being from 1918. In the back of the Bible, there is a library due card stamped with dates from 1936. As such, it can be determined that Hon. Samuel Nelson Sawyer received this Bible from between 1918-1936.


Examples like this are reminders that, not only is the object itself important, but so is the case that it came in.
                                       Top cover of the box.
And, don’t forget to visit our new display, Selections from the Bible Collection at the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Library & Museum, that is currently being exhibited in the Library!

The Effects of Tape on Paper Documents

By Joseph Patzner

Recently, we received a request from a patron to digitize loose materials to aid his research about a lodge. As I was preparing the materials for digitization, I found repairs had been made to the torn pages by applying pressure sensitive tape. While the tape helps to repair damage at the moment, the tape can cause damage over time, as the chemicals in the adhesive will darken and stain documents.  As a result of the stains, text can become obscured. And, the ink can be transferred to the tape, thereby removing the text from the page if the tape is separated from the paper.

While pressure sensitive tape was once the primary solution for paper repairs upon its release in the 1930s, the use of Japanese papers with Kozo fibers has become the standard practice by conservators for mending tears within paper collection. Japanese papers with Kozo fibers are translucent and do not discolor over time, thereby preventing text from being obscured.  Despite the recommendation for use of Japanese papers, certain objects may still require the use of an adhesive. According to the NEDCC , the adhesives selected for repairs must not discolor the paper to which it is applied, adhesion should be maintained indefinitely, and the repair needs to be reversible without damaging the original object.  Most of the commercially available adhesives should also be avoided, as they do not meet the NEDCC criterion and are likely to damage the paper they adhere to.

Shriners’ Founder Walter M. Fleming’s Bylaws Donated to Museum!

When I received a phone call in December from Worshipful Brother William Hubschman about a donation he wanted to make to the Grand Lodge Museum here at the Livingston Masonic Library, I was most intrigued by the mention of a mirror, as we have very few in the collection. The donation came in mid-January, and I was quite pleased with the mirror – it is a 1917 hand-held 50th Anniversary commemorative mirror for Emanuel Lodge No. 654, which was warranted in 1867. (In 1996, Emanuel Lodge No. 654 merged with Daniel Carpenter Lodge No. 588, to be known as Carpenter-Emanuel Lodge No. 588 of the Fifth Manhattan District.) Along with the mirror were some coins, some lapel pins and a Lodge By-laws.

Well, then I opened the By-Laws and was stunned!  Written into the front was the name of the original owner: Walter M. Fleming, one of the co-founders of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine!

I checked 10,000 Famous Freemasons by William R. Denslow, and, yes, according to Denslow, Brother Fleming (b. 1838-d. 1913) was Raised in Rochester Lodge No. 660 on February 13, 1869, and he affiliated with New York Lodge No. 330 on December 3, 1872.

According to these Bylaws just donated, however, the dates of his Raising and his Affiliation are different than those Denslow reports … a mystery to be researched some other day. Denslow’s entry states that Brother Fleming was also a member of Columbian Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar, and served as its Commander from 1873-1877.

I called Worshipful Hubschman to tell him to whom the Bylaws belonged and to be certain that he did, indeed, mean to donate them to us, once he knew of their famous owner. He was surprised as well, but assured me that he was happy the booklet had found a safe home. I assured him of our gratitude for adding to the collections of the Livingston Masonic Library and Museum, helping to maintain it as one of the finest Masonic research centers in the world.

Brother Hubschman is 86 years-old, and is a 52-Year member. He’s a Past Master of Habonim Lodge No. 1042 and a member of South Bay Lodge and Spartan Lodge No. 956 as well as a part of the Scottish Rite on Long Island.

His nephew, Harold Hubschman, a member of Fulton Lodge No. 216 in Atlanda, GA, inherited numerous items from his father, Worshipful Albert Hubschman (Habonim Lodge No. 1042) and Right Worshipful Jacques Fiensod (Carpenter-Emanuel Lodge No. 588 and District Deputy Grand Master of the Fifth Manhattan District). Upon Brother Harold’s death, his wife sent Brother William Hubschman numerous Masonic items, some of which he has donated to the Grand Lodge of New York.

We are thrilled to add these items to our collection, and plan on displaying the Bylaws in a new exhibit being planned for the Annual Communication in May!

 

New Acquisitions

If you are interested in history and its relation to Freemasonry, come visit the library, and check out our recent acquisitions to the book collection!

 Sworn in Secret: Freemasonry and the Knights Templar by Sanford Holst

In this book, Sanford Holst’s research details the roots of Freemasonry, when it was still operating as a secret society before 1717, and its development during this time period. Also, the book explores Freemasonry’s relations with the Knights Templar and the Vatican. Holst was able to gain access to many related documents that are not generally accessible to the public and most Masons. Thus, his research has culminated into an important text that provides new information and perspectives on Freemasonry’s history.

Loyalists and Malcontents: Freemasonry & Revolution in the Deep South by Ric Berman

Author of The Foundations of Modern Freemasonry and Schism, Ric Berman provides another important text regarding the relations between Freemasonry and the United States. Berman traces the history of freemasonry in South Carolina  and Georgia to its beginnings in the colonial era, into the end of the 18th century. As such, this text covers how the culture of the South and the American Revolutionary War would impact the development of freemasonry in this part of the United States.

Digitizing Materials from the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library

By Joseph Patzner

Over time, the materials that make up books will naturally breakdown, with the potential of accelerated degradation, due to non-ideal conditions leading to materials to be at risk of damage with regular use. Since much of the information in our collection is of value and significance to independent researchers, Lodges, and Masons, it is important that the content contained in these documents remain accessible beyond the lifetime of the physical document were it to become damaged or destroyed. To support preservation and access to information from collection materials,  the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library is currently digitizing select bound material, like Grand Chapter Proceedings, and unbound documents from the collection including Lodge Historical Files. Moreover, by creating digital facsimiles, we help to expand access to the collection.

Though it would be great to have digital copies for each book in the collection, it is not sensible to attempt to digitize “everything,” as there may not be a demand for access to certain books or copyright restriction may limit the number of electronic copies that can be created for distribution.

Current Digitization Projects:
Grand Chapter of New York Proceeding Volumes
Free and Accepted Mason Reading Course Books
Lodge Historical Files, including Lodge notices and ephemera from Lodge events

In addition to digitizing items currently in the collection, the Library also offers researchers and Masons the opportunity to have items from their Lodge or personal collection digitized.

As we continue to digitize materials, learning how and which materials patrons are using will help us gain an understanding into how we can adapt our digitization program to support the needs of current patrons, while also expanding our reach to Masons and researchers who may be unable to visit the Library but are interested in working with the collection.

For more information about digitization services, click here.

The First Reading Discussion Meeting of 2017

The Library’s First Reading Discussion Meeting of 2017 was held here on January 17th, 2017, to discuss The White Leather Apron, a paper by the late RW Spiridon Arkouzis.

The meeting was a success, with discussion held amongst a small but dedicated group of Brothers from the Tenth Manhattan District. The event was coordinated by Worshipful Michael Matsas, Master, Abravanel Lodge No. 1116.

The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York will now be holding Reading Discussion Meetings on the Second Tuesday of each month!

Please check back to see the topic for the next Discussion Topic, to be held on February 14th, 2017!

Press Release- Solomon’s Temple: Separating Fact from Fiction

The Livingston Masonic Library’s Free 2017 Lecture Series: Lecture No. 1

 

RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon will present a lecture titled:

“Solomon’s Temple: Separating Fact from Fiction”

Join us at 6:30 p.m. on January 26 for the ­­first lecture of 2017 in the Library’s Monthly Series, which is open to all, Mason and non-Masons alike.

This month, RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon will be lecturing on Solomon’s Temple: Separating Fact from Fiction. Having delivered lectures to Masons and non-Masons, we are honored to have this recognized historian deliver what promises to be a fascinating lecture here at the Library.

This Lecture is a companion lecture to the Library’s December 2016 Magic Lantern Slide show, which focused on the 1926 understanding of the Evolution and Restoration of King Solomon’s Temple. We are excited to learn of the changes in knowledge about this important building which features so prominently in Masonic symbolism.

This lecture is graciously sponsored by France-La Clémente-Amitié-Comopolite Lodge No. 410 of the Tenth Manhattan District. All of the Library’s lectures are posted on our YouTube Channel.

RW Pierre de Ravel d’Esclapon is the First Vice President of the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library. A graduate of the Harvard Law School, he is now a Professor of Law at the University of Montréal Law School, and by avocation, a historian. RW d’Esclapon has written extensively on historical topics, and has lectured several times as part of the Distinguished Speakers Series at the New-York Historical Society, at the John Jay Homestead, the National Arts Club, the Holland Lodge Historical Society and, most recently, as one of the keynote speakers for the Bicentennial of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, held in New York in July of 2016.

We are thrilled to welcome him as a speaker in the Library!

Please RSVP at info@nymasoniclibrary.org. White wine will be served.

Please note: Photo ID is required to enter the Grand Lodge of New York.

 

A Lodge Visit to the Library and Museum

Periodically, the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York receives requests from a Lodge Master to visit the Library as one of their Lodge Meeting events. Either I stay late to welcome them into the Library, or one of our Library Trustees from the NYC area comes in that evening to do so.

As the Curator of the Museum’s Artifact Collection, when I know a Lodge is coming to visit, and I have enough advance notice, I try to find artifacts related to the Lodge as well as information about the Lodge which might be of interest to the Lodge members. I then arrange the material on our tables for the Lodge members’ perusal.

We received such a request from Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20, which meets in the Ionic Room here at Grand Lodge for a December visit. RW Demetrios “Jim” Melis, Library Trustee, gave a short talk in the Lodge about the Library, and then brought the Lodge members to the Library to show them our exhibits and the material I had prepared for them.

Moriah Lodge No. 20 was warranted as Mount Moriah No. 132 in 1806, and became No. 27 in 1839. In 1973, it merged with Pioneer Lodge No. 20 to become Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20. One of the early members of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 27 was Grand Tiler Greenfield Pote, who, in 1843, famously gave the first dollar to the newly-proposed fund. This fund was designed for:

1st. The erection of a HALL in the City of New-York, for the Grand Lodge and other Masonic Bodies.

2d. The founding of an ASYLUM for worthy, decayed Masons, their Widows and Orphans.

So, because of the story of RW Pote, for the visit of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20 to the Library, I arranged on one table materials related to the History of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20, and on the other table, materials related to the History of Greenfield Pote. These items are listed below:

Table 1: History of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20

  • 3 Copies of printout of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 20 important dates
  • Book: GLNY Proceedings 1903 with expanded history of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 27 (M17.2 N.Y. M86h)
  • Book:  Mount Moriah Lodge No. 27 Meeting Notices 1936 (M17.2 N.Y. M86)
  • 3 Copies of printout of GLNY Proceedings 1903 history
  • Book: History of Mount Moriah Lodge No. 27, 1806-1936
  • Traveling Certificate, 1852 – Phillips Grand Lodge, for Joseph Stern
  • Book – GLNY Proceedings 2015, showing Phillips Grand Lodge  Officers
  • Sign explaining the schism of the Phillips Grand Lodge

 

Table 2: History of Greenfield Pote

  • Tin frame and Photograph of Greenfield Pote
  • 3 copies of printout of Greenfield Pote’s biography
  • 3 copies of printout of the story of the first dollar donated
  • Book: GLNY Proceedings, 1843 showing memorial of proposal for Hall and Asylum Fund
  • 3 copies of printout of the proposal to create Hall and Asylum Fund
  • Scroll of Donors: showing Greenfield Pote as first donor
  • Sign: showing James Herring served as Grand Secretary for legitimate GLNY in Table 2 material, and as Grand Secretary for the illegitimate Phillips Grand Lodge material on Table 1. Upon the Union, he was accorded legitimate Past Grand Officer status.

Lodge members were welcome to handle, touch and pick up everything except for the items in bold, and were welcome to take with them the printed-out copies of data.

From all accounts, the Lodge enjoyed the visit to the Library, and were interested and glad to see the special temporary exhibit I designed for them to learn more about the history of their Lodge.

If you belong to a Lodge which would like a similar visit, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@nymasoniclibrary.org. We are thrilled to share your history with you!

If you belong to a non-Masonic group, and have a particular interest in some aspect of New York history, we may be able to create a similar temporary exhibit focused on your topic for the benefit of your members.

The Book, Archives, Vertical Files and Artifact Collections held by the Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York contain a wealth of information and memorabilia about New York City, New York State, United States and world history that is unparalleled in its range and breadth.

Come and discover this hidden jewel!