S. J. Addes Masonic Chisel Set

This Chisel Set was made by S. J. Addes, an English Toolmaker from the 1860's.  He was both a Master  Mason and a Master Toolmaker.  He was so proud of his Craft that he stamped the Square and Compasses on every tool he made.  Our museum is proud to own every size chisel.  Here is a list of the chisels shown above:

No. l #6 3/4" straight gouge, #7 sweep; No. 2 #20 3/4 bent veneer; No. 3 #31 5/8" back bent gouge; No. 4 #3 7/16" straight gouge,#7 sweep; No. 5 #7 5/8 straight gouge, #8 sweep; No. 6 #6 3/8" straight gouge, #8 sweep; No. 7 #33 5/8" bent straight fishtail; No. 8 #2 l/2" bent veneer; No. 9 3/8" in-cannel gouge; No. 10 No # Prize Medal logo l/2" straight gouge, #7 sweep; No. 11 #21 (Masonic emblem) 3/8" bent straight; No. l2 #21 (Masonic emblem) 1/4" bent straight; No. 13 #10 Prize Medal 5/8"straight gouge, #7 sweep; No. 14 #3 l/2" straight gouge, #7 sweep; No. 15 No# 2mm straight gouge; No. 16 #10 Prize Medal 3/8" bent spoon gouge, #9 sweep. All of these chisels are in excellent condition and usable with no more than minor honing or stropping; no rust, pits or any damage. 

History of the Chisel in Freemasonry

The chisel in the American Rite is one of the working tools of a Mark Master, and symbolizes the effects of education on the human mind.   For as the artist, by the aid of his instrument, gives form and regularity to the shapeless mass of stone, so education, by cultivating the ideas and by polishing the rude thoughts, transforms the ignorant savage into the civilized being.  In the English ceremonies, the chisel is one of the working tools of the Entered Apprentice and has the same reference to the advantages of education.  Preston (Illustrations of Masonry, 1812, page 86) thus elaborates its symbolism as one of the implements of Freemasonry:  "The chisel demonstrates the advantages of discipline and education.  The mind, like the diamond in its original state, is unpolished; but as the effects of the chisel on the external coat soon present to view the latent beauties of the diamond, so education discovers the latent virtues of the mind and draws them forth to range the large field of matter and space,  in order to display the summit of human knowledge, our duty to God and man."

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