Freemason Secrets- Knights Templar in America

Description

New Collectors book on the Knights Templar.
Hardbound 8/12 x 11. 230 pages! Over 500 high quality B&W photos.
Fraternal Regalia I: Knights Templar
"A Collectors Guide to the Orders, Degrees, Activities, Uniforms, Swords, Regalia, and Collectible Souvenirs of the Commandery of the Knights Templar of York Rite Freemasonry in America.”
Knights Templar Regalia and Collectibles from 1800 to 1930!
See great reviews from Masonic magazines and blogs at the bottom of the page!
This book is a "must have" for the Masonic historian & collector, Templar historian, military uniform collector, sword collector, as well as antique dealers and "pickers".
Over 17,000 fraternal items are listed on eBay each week. Over 4,000 Masonic items are offered weekly!
If you buy or sell collectables on Ebay, this book will pay for itself with the knowledge you acquire.
Covers collectible souvenirs including glassware, ceramics, jewelry, badges and medals!
Limited Printing!
Free Shipping within USA (USPS Media Mail)
No international shipping.
Hardbound 8/12 x 11. 230 pages! Over 500 high quality B&W photos and illustrations! Many period cabinet photos illustrating the various uniforms,regalia and activities of the Commandery of the Knights Templar in America!
51 swords illustrated from period regalia catalogs!
19 swords illustrated in detailed pictorials!
Black Uniform and White uniforms described.
Limited Printing! Get one now!
This book describes - Masonic Lodge Structure - York Rite Structure
- Order of the Red Cross - Order of the Knights of Malta - Order of the Knights Templar
- Ritual regalia - KT Rank & Insignia - The White Uniform
- The Black Uniform - Fatigue uniform - Hats
- Sashes - Swords & Daggers - Conclave Medals
- Officers Jewels - Parade & Drill Teams - Mounted Commanderies
- Symbology - Triennial Conclaves - Souvenirs
- Pilgrimages - Badges - Ribbons - Jewelry
Here are some excerpted reviews and commentary from Masonic magazines and wesbsites:
From Freemasonry for Dummies (Christopher Hodapp’s blog) at freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com:
“My very good friend, and the current Eminent Commander of Indianapolis' Raper Commandery No. 1, Carson Smith, eats, sleeps, and breathes the Masonic order of the Knights Templar. When John D. Hamilton's book, The American Fraternal Sword, came out earlier this year, depicting more than 600 swords in full color, he described it as "Templar porn."
Comes now a new book by Michael C. MacDonald that I'm afraid is going to keep Sir Knight Carson up all knight reading under the covers with a flashlight: Fraternal Regalia I: Knights Templar - A Collectors Guide to the Orders, Degrees, Activities, Uniforms, Swords, Regalia, and Collectible Souvenirs of the Commandery of the Knights Templar of York Rite Freemasonry. It covers Knights Templar regalia and collectibles from 1800 to 1930.”
Knight Templar Magazine:
“ …. Throughout the book there are excellent pictures of Templar regalia, drill teams (both mounted and marching), Sir Knights in uniform, and especially the badges, pins, jewels, and medals developed by Commanderies for their officers, members, and ladies and for use during travel to Triennial Conclaves. The chapter about Knights Templar Swords should be helpful to both the collector and Sir Knight as he attempts to determine the origin or dating of a particular sword. The pictures are extremely clear and detailed. I feel that any collector could use this book as a starting reference for Knights Templar regalia. This is not a sit down and read book, but one that a Knight or collector would relish as a thumb through and coffee table reference that would evoke a discussion of Templary, its uniforms, and the evolution of our Fraternity.”
The Scottish Rite Journal:
“When I reviewed The American Fraternal Sword some six months ago, I began with a simple one-word review, which applies equally to this book: Wow! Michael MacDonald is another obsessive collector who has documented a wonderful collection for the world to examine and admire. He has studied the regalia of American Knights Templar with the same attention to detail that reenactors give to their uniforms. There are photographs of coats, chapeaux, aprons, caps, belts, buckles, medals, insignia, and swords. These fraternal uniforms attained their apogee of masculine style during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. While based on US service uniforms (the largest fraternal supplier, M. C. Lilly & Co., also supplied uniforms to the US government!), Knights Templar and other fraternal uniforms were embellished with sashes, embroidery, medals, and a certain dash that set them apart from mere military attire. This was the era of large civic parades in communities of all sizes, and the Masonic Templars were enthusiastic participants. The book includes photographs of parade units, foot and mounted, as well as souvenirs such as glassware, porcelain, jewelry, watch fobs, and accessories.
Whether you buy the book to fill in the gaps about your own collection, or just to dream what it would have been like to wield a sword in such lovely style, you will be delighted to add this book to your collection.” (Submitted by S. Brent Morris, 33°, GC)
Review from “The Philalethes Magazine”:
“This book is dedicated to the regalia contained within what is considered to be the “golden age” of American fraternal organizations, 1860–1930. While attention is certainly given to drill team uniforms and edged weapons, the author also describes the historical chivalric and military inspiration for the modern Knights Templar. He treats in detail the structure of the Masonic Knights Templar, as well as the history behind the ceremonial costumes used by Templars when conferring their Orders. Each chapter is well-supplied with period illustrations and cabinet photos depicting the large array of Templar uniforms, including the White Uniform for Sir Knights, Eminent and Past Commanders; the Black Uniform for the same previously mentioned; and uniform elements and variations. The latter part of the book is dedicated to the aesthetics of Templar fraternal activities such as conclaves, pilgrimages and camping. These chapters include ribbons, pins, badges and trophies. The book also features a section that addresses the variations in Templar swords. The final pages of the book offer value estimates for Templar artifacts according to condition. This is a very welcome feature, and will assist individuals and commanderies in the proper assessment of their valuables. Mr. MacDonald is not a Freemason (which is sometimes evident, as in a reference to the “Grand Lodge of the United States”), but his knowledge of these relics is profound. This book will certainly be of use beyond the realm of independent collectors. Museum curators, fraternalists, Templars and the interested public will also be able to use this reference as a guide for their own collections, as well as to learn more about the historical evolution of fraternal material culture.” Reviewed by W
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Bro
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Adam G. Kendall mps , of the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry in San Francisco, California.