tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post3669708995452761971..comments2024-03-26T12:05:58.591-04:00Comments on Freemasons For Dummies: "Lost" Washington's Lafayette Apron To be Displayed at Mt. VernonChristopher Hodapphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04201859873755654395noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-23923976533415467392022-09-20T10:36:12.765-04:002022-09-20T10:36:12.765-04:00Might this apron be presented to Lafayette by a lo...Might this apron be presented to Lafayette by a lodge during his 1822-24 visit? Then placed in GL of Pa in 1829?C. F. William Maurernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-22432262872936449072011-02-20T21:45:19.219-05:002011-02-20T21:45:19.219-05:00I, too, was taken aback by the claim that this is ...I, too, was taken aback by the claim that this is the apron given to Washington by Lafayette in 1784 since the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania has long claimed that they have been in possession of that apron since 1829. (See http://www.pagrandlodge.org/mlam/apron/index.html as well as http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/art/washington_apron.html) <br /><br />the one on display in Philadelphia looks nothing like the one in this article, and many other authorities have concurred that it is the Lafayette apron. Until now, I was totally unaware that anyone thought that apron had been "missing." I have seen reproductions of that apron in The George Washington Masonic National Memorial, and other locations, all claiming it to be the Lafayette apron. So, I wonder, why did so few think it was lost until now?Richardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03693497247612787878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25683662.post-55415802025371517872011-02-19T06:42:00.495-05:002011-02-19T06:42:00.495-05:00I'm no expert on Masonic regalia - but a coup...I'm no expert on Masonic regalia - but a couple of odd things come to mind when examining the photographs of both piece. <br /><br />What stands out as peculiar is similarity to peculiar motifs that were first seen employed by the Watson and Cassoul apron that are then seen in the Mount Nebo made apron. An image of the Watson and Cassoul apron can be seen here: <br /><br />http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/images/GWWatsonCasoulApron1.jpg<br /><br />When looking at both aprons we can compare the American, & French flags crossing, and the knotted Cable-tow and gavel in a very distinctive design at the top of the apron. <br /><br />The shape of the apron shows similarities too - but that is a very common shape of that period. <br /><br />Were these common patterns employed by other French apron manufacturer's pieces, exactly as they are seen on BOTH aprons that were reported to be Washington's? Are there any other aprons with crossed American flags and uniquely designed cable-tows being manufactured by unrelated parties In this period? No. <br /><br />it is worth pondering, why this "gift" was intentionally created to be modeled after his preexisting apron? <br /><br />It seems obvious too that the West Virginian apron too, is of noticeably far less quality and detail than the one produced for General Washington by Watson and Cassoul. It seems highly unlikely that if the Marquis De Lafayette's interpretation of Washington's Cassoul's apron, would be a product inferior to the detail of the original embroidery as seen in the Watson and Cassoul apron.<br /><br />It sounds to be a strange scenario that the wife of the LaFayette couldn't find a decent embroiderer! - France would've have had plenty of decent manufactures of this period, and certainly anyone associated with the Marquis would have access to the best. I have seen better aprons made by blink kids in China. <br /><br />If this was a contemporary reinterpretation of Washington's Watson & Cassoul apron, an opinion I might buy - why is it so much worse than the original that they would have had to have familiarity with to create the new one?<br /><br />For these points, I would argue that the apron could likely have been an apron, created in the style of Washington's apron . I believe in the years following we don't know where it is!<br /><br />I would like know more about how we can identity the place of its manufacturing DEFINITIVELY to French to begin with. Have there been test on the fibers, metal pieces, etc that we could relate to <br />other pieces made in the same area?TheHolySeayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02445376255712416948noreply@blogger.com