The Constitution of Free-Masons, was the first published Masonic constitution, containing Masonic history, Masonic directory, Masonic music, and the standardized lodge regulations for lodge use in England. The first edition was written by James Anderson, under the supervision of The Grand Lodge of England, and published in London in 1723.
The front piece is an engraving by John Pine, depicting the Grand Master, Duke of Montagu, passing the scroll to the next Grand Master, the Duke of Wharton.
Detach spines, image taken before repair.
Repaired spines.
The bookplate belonged to Michael Furnell, Past Provincial Grand Master of Provincial Grand Lodge of North Munster, Ireland, in 1842. It is part of Rob Morris Collection.
The first edition published in colonial America was printed by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia in 1734, when he was elected the Grand Master of Pennsylvania. When compared, the American version was printed in a smaller format, and the title page engraving is not included.
The book belonged to George Williamson (1827-1886), a member of Westchester Lodge No. 180 in Ossining. He was an avid rare book collector with five hundred Masonic books in his collection.
Above the bookplate, the name R. D. Sanxay is written with pencil. RW Richard D. Sanxay was a Virginian Mason, and served as Grand Tiler of the Grand Lodge of Virginia from 1856 to 1868. He was a member of Richmond Lodge No. 10. It is possible that Sanxay was the previous owner before George Williamson.
Both versions are in possessions in the Grand Lodge of New York’s collection. They were unfortunately in very poor conditions. The covers and pages detached from the brittle spines, likely caused by the prolonged hands on display in the past. Now, both of the valuable constitutions are repaired by the book conservators, back to stable condition.