Rosebery’s sale features freemasonry collection March 18
Sample page of an early 19th century album of original watercolors of French masonic memorabilia of the 33 degrees of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. Estimate: £400-£600. Rosebery’s image.
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
Nice (1898-1969), a chemist and oral surgeon, was a passionate Freemason and a historian of the fraternal organization. His collection includes a first edition of The Constitutions of the Free-Masons by James Anderson, published in 1723 and with contemporary full calf binding. With an engraved frontispiece, this was the first official publication of freemasonry, laying out all the rules and regulations. The volume has a £500-£800 estimate.
Among the wide variety of memorabilia in the auction is an early 19th century album of original watercolors of French masonic memorabilia of the 33 degrees of Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (estimate: £400-£600).
A fine range of masonic ceramics will also go under the hammer on March 18. An example is a large pearlware masonic jug, circa 1792, decorated with masonic symbols and inscribed, “A heart that conceals and the tongue that never reveals,” Royal Grove Lodge No 240, presented by Brother Nathaniel Jenkinson, 1792 (estimate: £200-£300).
It was customary in many lodges to pass around a snuffbox after the toast to the queen and the craft. More than 100 such snuffboxes decorated with masonic symbols will be sold at the auction with estimates up to £3,000.
The auction will also feature the largest collection of 18th and 19th century masonic jewels ever to come onto the market. Included are a silver and paste Thomas Harper Globe Lodge 25 square and compass and two early 19th century Royal Arch breast jewels with openwork masonic symbols. Each items is estimated at £300-£500.
View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.liveauctioneers.com.
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Sample page of an early 19th century album of original watercolors of French masonic memorabilia of the 33 degrees of Scottish Rite of Free Masonry. Estimate: £400-£600. Rosebery’s image.
Large 18th century pearlware masonic jug, circa 1792. Estimate: £200-£300. Rosebery’s image.
Nineteenth century mahogany inlaid snuffbox decorated with masonic symbols. Estimate: £150-£250. Rosebery’s image.
