THE FREEMASON'S MONITOR; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS OF MASONRY: In Two Parts. By Thomas Smith Webb, Past Master of Temple Lodge, Albany, G.H.P. of the Grand R.A. Chapter of Rhode-Island, and Grand Master of the Providence Encampment of Knights Templars, &c. A New and Improved Edition.

Webb, Thomas Smith.

Published by Providence Printed for Henry Cushing, and Thomas S. Webb, 1805. [i.e. 1806]. 1805. [i.e. 1806]., 1805

INCLUDES "MASONIC SONGS" COMPOSED BY THE AUTHOR THOMAS SMITH WEBB - Octavo, 7-1/8 inches high by 4-3/8 inches wide. Contemporary vintage brown calf with a gilt titled leather label on the spine. The front cover is detached and held together with black tape. Large portions of the spine have perished and sections of the leather are lacking from the covers. The bottom inner corner of the book and covers are damaged, though with no loss of text. Two volumes in one, as issued, with consecutive pagination: pages [i]-xii, [i], 14-345, & [1], with a textual woodcut of a coffin illustrating page 135. A second title page, included in the pagination, is at page 251. The book is largely disbound with scattered foxing and staining throughout, especially from pages 168 through 180. A fair complete book. Especially noteworthy are the 6 pages of "Masonic Songs" composed by the author Thomas Smith Webb printed on pages 319 through 324 (Lowens: Bibliography of songsters printed in America before 1821, 295).Though dated 1805, the appendix printed on pages 325 through 345 is the report of "The General Grand Royal Arch Chapter" held in Middletown, Connecticut on January 9, 1806.Called the "Founding Father of the York or American Rite" Thomas Smith Webb (1771-1819) was the author of "The Freemanson's Monitor, or Illustrations of Masonry". The work had a significant impact on the development of Masonic ritual in America. Born in Boston, Webb apprenticed to a printer at the age of 16 before moving to Keene, New Hampshire. He was conferred three degrees of ancient craft Masonry by the Rising Sun Lodge. After moving to Albany, NY, he first published "The Freemason's Monitor, or Illustrations of Masonry" in 1797. Consisting of 2 parts, with an account of the "Ineffable Degrees of Masonry", the work also included several of his Masonic songs. Enlarged and improved editions followed. In the same year as he published his "Freemanson's Monitor", Webb presided over a convention of committees in Boston for the formation of a general Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and as chairman of the committee presented a constitution which was adopted in 1799. His work led to the formation of the Grand Encampment of the United States. Webb was the first president of the Psallonian Society and of the Handel and Haydn Society. Webb subsequently served as the first Grand Commander of what became the Grand Commandry of Knights Templar and the Appendant Orders of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island.RARE. (Shaw: American bibliography 9700). Seller Inventory # 97096

Bibliographic Details

Title: THE FREEMASON'S MONITOR; OR, ILLUSTRATIONS ...
Publisher: Providence Printed for Henry Cushing, and Thomas S. Webb, 1805. [i.e. 1806]. 1805. [i.e. 1806].
Publication Date: 1805
Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Fair