The Constitutions of the Antient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons. Containing Their History, Charges, Regulations, &c. Collected and Digested By Order of the Grand Lodge from their old Records, faithful Traditions and Lodge-Books, For the Use of the Lodges. Carefully Revised, Continued and Enlarged, with many Additions -
James Anderson, John Entick
1756. In the Vulgar Year of Masonry 5756 - Printed for Brother J. Scott, London - First Edition
Rare example of the third book of Constitutions, revised, enlarged and entirely recast by Committee and Rev. John Entick (1713-73), using only the enlarged history that James Anderson (c.1680-1739) had written for his 1738 edition. The first printing of the Constitutions was in 1723
In its original Masonic binding, with a leather label stating ‘George. Shug Lane. Constitution Book. Bror. Lewis. Master. Brors. Gally. Hutchison. Wardens. 5765.’ which was the Masonic Lodge of George (George and Dragon), Shug Lane, London, 1765 , named Gothic Lodge in 1782 (lapsed about 1805). [Lane’s]
Copper-engraved allegorical frontispiece by Benjamin Cole after Louis-Philippe Boitard, both Masons, representing ‘the genius of Freemasonry seated on a throne, London being seen in the background, the dome of St. Paul’s appearing as a prominent figure, and a portion of the old London Bridge being also visible. On tessellated pavement in the front are working tools scattered about, the arms of the Grand Lodge being depicted at the right of the figure’. [Hughan] ‘This year, 2023, marks the three hundredth anniversary of the printing of The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, a book that codified the earliest rules and regulations of organized Freemasonry. The Grand Lodge system of organized Freemasonry can be traced back to the 1717 founding of the Grand Lodge of England in London. The group published its first Constitutions in 1723. This work contained a mythologized history of Freemasonry, as well as the group’s Charges and Regulations, a set of rules governing lodges and the expected behavior of Masons. Although often referred to as “Anderson’s Constitutions,” after one of its authors, today, the 1723 Constitutions is viewed as the work of three people—the Reverend James Anderson (1679-1739), the Reverend Dr. John Theophilus Desaguliers (1683-1744), and George Payne (ca. 1685-1757).’ – ‘300 Years of Anderson’s Constitutions’, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library.
Provenance: After London (see details of leather label above) then Arthur Maxwell, gifted by him to J. McDowell P.G.S.W. as detailed in the inscription to the title page ‘Presented to me on 24 June 1876 by Brother Arthur Maxwell of Moneymore (County Londonderry, Northern Ireland) and Past Master of Unity Lodge No. 531, Moneymore’; probably a later stamp to the title page of a J. McDowell, Architect, Cookstown (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland ); and more recent bookplate of ‘Bro. J. R. M. Macleod 3463 7368 3687’.
Reference: Vibet, Rare Books of Freemasonry (1923), 15. Lane’s Masonic Records, Museum of Freemasonry. W. J. Hughan, The Freemason, Oct. 23 1886 - 611.
Quarto (binding size 23.8x19.5cm), pp. [4] 339 [1 (Printer’s advertisements)] [2]. Contemporary full brown calf, spine Masonic detailing in blind, red morocco label to upper board lettered and decorated in gilt, later endpapers, inner hinges restored. Condition: Light spotting heavier to title page last few pages, one or two small stains but generally clean throughout, binding with wear to corners and spine ends, some rubbing to boards, some restoration to page 1 and to hinges of binding, later endpapers. Ref: 111759 Price: HK$ 25,000
In its original Masonic binding, with a leather label stating ‘George. Shug Lane. Constitution Book. Bror. Lewis. Master. Brors. Gally. Hutchison. Wardens. 5765.’ which was the Masonic Lodge of George (George and Dragon), Shug Lane, London, 1765 , named Gothic Lodge in 1782 (lapsed about 1805). [Lane’s]
Copper-engraved allegorical frontispiece by Benjamin Cole after Louis-Philippe Boitard, both Masons, representing ‘the genius of Freemasonry seated on a throne, London being seen in the background, the dome of St. Paul’s appearing as a prominent figure, and a portion of the old London Bridge being also visible. On tessellated pavement in the front are working tools scattered about, the arms of the Grand Lodge being depicted at the right of the figure’. [Hughan] ‘This year, 2023, marks the three hundredth anniversary of the printing of The Constitutions of the Free-Masons, a book that codified the earliest rules and regulations of organized Freemasonry. The Grand Lodge system of organized Freemasonry can be traced back to the 1717 founding of the Grand Lodge of England in London. The group published its first Constitutions in 1723. This work contained a mythologized history of Freemasonry, as well as the group’s Charges and Regulations, a set of rules governing lodges and the expected behavior of Masons. Although often referred to as “Anderson’s Constitutions,” after one of its authors, today, the 1723 Constitutions is viewed as the work of three people—the Reverend James Anderson (1679-1739), the Reverend Dr. John Theophilus Desaguliers (1683-1744), and George Payne (ca. 1685-1757).’ – ‘300 Years of Anderson’s Constitutions’, Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library.
Provenance: After London (see details of leather label above) then Arthur Maxwell, gifted by him to J. McDowell P.G.S.W. as detailed in the inscription to the title page ‘Presented to me on 24 June 1876 by Brother Arthur Maxwell of Moneymore (County Londonderry, Northern Ireland) and Past Master of Unity Lodge No. 531, Moneymore’; probably a later stamp to the title page of a J. McDowell, Architect, Cookstown (County Tyrone, Northern Ireland ); and more recent bookplate of ‘Bro. J. R. M. Macleod 3463 7368 3687’.
Reference: Vibet, Rare Books of Freemasonry (1923), 15. Lane’s Masonic Records, Museum of Freemasonry. W. J. Hughan, The Freemason, Oct. 23 1886 - 611.
Quarto (binding size 23.8x19.5cm), pp. [4] 339 [1 (Printer’s advertisements)] [2]. Contemporary full brown calf, spine Masonic detailing in blind, red morocco label to upper board lettered and decorated in gilt, later endpapers, inner hinges restored. Condition: Light spotting heavier to title page last few pages, one or two small stains but generally clean throughout, binding with wear to corners and spine ends, some rubbing to boards, some restoration to page 1 and to hinges of binding, later endpapers. Ref: 111759 Price: HK$ 25,000