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.
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.
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 22.6x18.8cm), pp. [6] 339 [1 (Printer’s advertisements)]. In contemporary brown calf binding, later spine with twin black morocco labels gilt lettering and rule, twin gilt filet borders to boards. Condition: Some spotting to frontis and title page else clean and near fine throughout, offsetting and toning to endpapers, in very good binding with some wear to edges. Ref: 112139 Price: HK$ 19,000
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.
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 22.6x18.8cm), pp. [6] 339 [1 (Printer’s advertisements)]. In contemporary brown calf binding, later spine with twin black morocco labels gilt lettering and rule, twin gilt filet borders to boards. Condition: Some spotting to frontis and title page else clean and near fine throughout, offsetting and toning to endpapers, in very good binding with some wear to edges. Ref: 112139 Price: HK$ 19,000