Manuscript Masonic handbook, an educational manual and memory aid recording the Masonic Cipher and shorthands for the Signs, Tokens, and Words used in ceremonies.
Very good plus.
Price: $3,500.00
"Signe: de la Gorge coupée."
Cyphers were an important part of Freemasonry from the 18th-century, both in recording rites and for use in internal communications. The 1868 ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND CYCLOPEDIA OF FREEMASONRY describes the appeal of cyphers to the Masons: "The system of cypher writing has been found so convenient as a depository of ineffable secrets, that it has descended down to our own times" (477). The information in this booklet is neatly ordered and presented, beginning with the Masonic or Pigpen Cipher, then delineating Signs, Tokens, and Words for eight degrees, before moving onto calendar cyphers and ending with a Pierre Cubique. According to the front wrapper, it follows the system of the Grand Orient de France, the oldest and most influential lodge in Europe. Its cyphers were likely taken from one of the manuals in use at this time, such as the MAÇONNERIE SYMBOLIQUE. However, this booklet's production in manuscript (rather than print) was likely intentional as a small-circulation item (perhaps even for personal use of a single person only) — as it contains the actual "passwords" used in ceremonies, Words left out of most contemporary printed publications by Freemasons. In 1820, when Vuillaume's MANUEL MAÇONNIQUE was published (anonymously), the work was criticized "by some Masons" for its "indiscretion" in including such details (according to the new preface to the 1830 edition). This manuscript demonstrates how such information would have been circulated in written form — when rarely committed to paper at all.
France: n.p, [1807]. 6.75'' x 5.5''. Saddle-stitched paper wrappers with manuscript title, date [in cipher], and printed Masonic image pasted on. 12 pages in manuscript; 16 total, including wrappers. Light soil and edgewear.
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