Antique Collectors Discovering Masonic Bling and Tchotchkes

Photo: Antique Galleries of Palm Springs

by Christopher Hodapp

Interesting article over the weekend in the Desert Sun newspaper out in Palm Springs, California. Antique dealer Mike Rivkin has a piece on collecting Masonic regalia. According to Rivkin there's been an increase in non-Masons collecting fraternal (and especially Masonic) regalia like aprons, sashes, jewelry, and more.  He gives a slightly flawed thumbnail overview of Masonry's beginnings and its spread into America, but then turns to the regalia itself.

From Nobody Does Regalia Like the Masons:

"Although the regalia associated with masonic ceremonies are often passed down the family tree, antique galleries like ours occasionally come across some fascinating artifacts. Most such wear is beautifully crafted from leather and silk, the aprons, robes and sashes reflecting a quality of craftsmanship all but lost today. Various symbols and initials often ornament these items, opaque to the non-initiate but conveying a special meaning to those in the know.

"Collecting vintage fraternal regalia is increasing in popularity, sometimes in tribute to past family masons, but often simply as a diverse and little-understood category. And who knows — perhaps some future initiation ceremony will include even you."

I'm glad to see interest in anything Masonic growing among non-Masons (especially when it's positive). It would be nice if that actually translated into men discovering the fraternity and having enough interest to actually petition a lodge. Unfortunately for those of us who are actually members of the fraternity already, such a trend will drive prices higher on antique fraternal ephemera, which is especially rough for us in the Masonic museum field.