VENDU
4 volumes, 8vo (190 x 136 mm) one calligraphed, watercolored and wash title, 360 pp., 1 folding plate (masonry grades), 10 plates (watercolor and wash) with explanatory text for vol. I ; 412 pp. (361-772), 9 plates (watercolor and wash) with explanatory text for vol. II ; 328 pp. (773-1100), 10 plates (watercolor and wash) with explanatory text for vol. III ; 191 pp., 2 unn.l, 9 plates (watercolor and wash) including 7 with explanatory text for vol. IV. Wine-leather morocco, triple gilt fillet on covers, corner fleurons, flat spine gilt with a floral design, green morocco title and volume labels, inner gilt roll, gilt edges (contemporary binding), in modern red half-maroquin slipcases (A. Lobstein).
Out of stock
A vast manuscript written in elegant cursive by different hands on predominantly bluish paper.
It deals with the higher grades of Freemasonry, which go beyond the three grades of Apprentice, Companion and Master Mason, and whose essentially elitist circles are subject to greater secrecy.
According to a handwritten annotation at the end of the dedication of the first volume "ces quatre volumes sont la copie de ceux présentés au duc d'Orléans et renferment toute la maçonnerie". The dedication bears the addition "au duc d'Orléans lors de la réception de Grand maître du Grand Orient".
Created in 1773, the Grand Orient de France was the result of a profound transformation of the First Grand Lodge of France, founded on 24 June 1738. The transformation began on 16 June 1771, the day its last Grand Master, Louis de Bourbon-Condé, Count of Clermont-en-Argonne, died. The death of the Count of Clermont put an end to the power of his deputy general, Chaillon de Joinville, and paved the way for the Duke Anne Charles Sigismond de Montmorency-Luxembourg to take up the post of general administrator. Under his administration, he entrusted his grand mastery to Louis Philippe d'Orléans (1747-1793), who was solemnly installed on 22 October 1773. Many of the changes made by the Duc de Montmorency-Luxembourg to the organisation of the Grand Orient still apply today.
The 4 volumes are richly illustrated with a frontispiece, 38 plates and 1 vignette illustration in the text (vol II, p.684.). The illustrations are in ink and grey wash and most are accompanied by an explanatory text. The plates depict the attributes and tools of the individual degrees as well as their emblematic representations. Among the great degrees described here are : Maître Secret, Maître Parfait, Maître Curieux, Maître Irlandais, Maître Anglais, Petit Elu, Grand Elu, Chevalier d'Orient, Commandeur d'Orient and other.
Volume IV describes the "maçonnerie d'adoption", a form of women's freemasonry that was particularly widespread in eighteenth-century France : "Maçonnerie des Dames ou d'adoption au jardin d'Eden". This fourth volume details the different grades and the induction rituals for women. In the latter, they are invited to adopt the posture of famous female characters, although the heroines are read from a Masonic posture advocating virtue, truth and knowledge.
For the rank of the Compagonne, the Freemason adopts the role of Eve, but the ritual removes her status as a sinner and turns her into an explorer of truth and knowledge. Similarly, La Sublime Écossaise embraces the role of Judith, the ritual presenting her as a conqueror rising up against the imposture and injustice perpetrated by Holofernes.
A total of 26 grades for men and 8 grades for women are listed.
Binding slightly rubbed, small stain with hole affecting text on pp.144-145 of vol I, foxing on front cover of vol 3.
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