"The Master's Carpet"
The above images are known as a
"Master's Carpet" and is a basic emblematical chart for the
instruction of Freemasonry. Scrolls such as this were produced during
the 19th century as teaching aides for the Worshipful Master and his lecturers
within the Blue Lodge to instruct new candidates in the symbolism of Ancient
Craft Masonry. It features all of the symbols, a few to wit: the
Sun, Moon and Stars, Jacob's Ladder, King Solomon's Temple, Pillars of Jachin
and Boaz, the All-Seeing Eye, the Square and Compasses, the Ark and Rainbow, Beehive,
47th Problem of Euclid, Winged Hour Glass, Sword Pointing to a Naked Heart and
the many various other Working Tools. During the times that the many
lectures of the degrees were explained to the initiates, the chart was taken
off of the wall and rolled out on the floor of the Lodge room... hence the
word "carpet" instead of chart became commonly used. This info
was taken from an early Masonic Supply House catalog:
Catalog
No. 69, 1920's "High Grade Supplies for Masonic Lodges" . It
states; "Mounted on canvas roller top and bottom; in three parts one
for each degree, $13.50. Single chart for Second Degree $4.50.
Charts mounted on spring rollers, in wall case,
each $22.00."
1st Degree
"Sherer's Celebrated Masonic Carpets "We publish
these in two styles, beautifully lithographed in numerous colors.
They are without exception the finest Charts for the Lodge Room ever
devised."
"THE
SHERER CARPETS have been the standard work for the Lodge Room for over
thirty years. The late John Sherer, their author, largely devoted his life
to arranging and perfecting these beautiful works for the Lodge Room
instructions, and so well did he succeed that no one has ever been able to
compile a Chart that would stand for a moment when compared with Sherer's.
Nearly every Grand Lodge in America has officially endorsed the Sherer
Carpets and recommended each subordinate Lodge to purchase one, and
hundreds of Grand Officers have declared these Carpets absolutely
indispensable in conferring the degrees intelligently. The emblems are
arranged in systematic order to correspond with the several lectures, and
give more light to the candidate than can be done in any other way. They
print indelibly upon the every Mason's mind the true alphabet of Masonic
symbols. Thousands of Lodges have purchased them, and Bob Morris truly
says: "The present generation of Masons have been educated
symbolically by Brother Sherer's Carpets."
2nd
Degree "SHERER'S LARGE MASONIC CARPET Latest improved addition, in
map form, mounted on heavy muslin, on roller all ready to hang in the
Lodge. Embraces all the emblems of the Blue Lodge Degrees, correctly
and systematically arranged by section and Degree, with a ground floor
view, or correct representation of a Lodge in each Degree. All
the work is so distinct that brethren in distant parts of the hall my
follow the Worshipful Master as he points out the emblems, and refresh
their memories as to the meaning of these mystic symbols. This is
unquestionably the most beautiful, correct and elaborate Carpet ever
devised. Size 6 X 6 feet. Price $10.00"
3rd
Degree "SHERER"S CARPET In three parts; each degree
on a separate chart with ground floor view of a Lodge in each
Degree. Size of Chart 3 X 4 feet. Lithographed and mounted on
rollers - map form. The Charts are lighter to handle and the candidate has
before him only the emblems of the Degree he has just taken. Price
per set, three charts, $10.00"
The designer, John Sherer, is
noted in book history for his The Masonic Ladder, or the Nine Steps to
Ancient Freemasonry (Cincinnati: R. W. Carroll, 1874). His work here
precedes the book by 6 years, and is a slightly differing interpretation of
the emblematic chart.
A special "Thank
You" to our Librarian Wor. Bro. Ralph Omholt for the many hours he spent
photographing the above set of Master's Carpets that he has in his Library!!!
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