"Washington
As A Freemason"
Lithograph
from 1867
This rare 1867 lithograph,
titled "Washington As A Freemason" was done by Strobridge & Co Lithographers,
Cincinnati, O. In the upper left hand corner is a picture of Lafayette
with the words above: "An Order Whose Leading Star is
a Philanthropy" and the upper right has a picture of Andrew Jackson
with the words above reading: "Past Grand Master of the Lodge of
Tennessee".
The paper in George's hand reads
"The Grand Object of Masonry is to Promote the Happiness
to the Human Race - Washington".
Underneath George it reads: "Commander
of the American Army, 1775. President of the United States 1789". Under
that it reads: "Intitated November 4th 1752, in Fredericksburg Lodge No 4
Virginia, Passed March 3d 1753 Raised August 4th 1753".
The left column "Boaz" has words:
Charity, Hope and Faith with Born Feb 22 A.D. 1732 at bottom. Right
column "Jachin" has Beauty, Strength and Wisdom with Died Dec 14 A.D.
1799 at bottom.
Lower left box has the quotation:
"Awake not his Slumbers tread lightly around, Tis the
Grave of Freeman, tis Liberty's mound. The Name is immortal, our freedom you
won. Brave Sire of Columbia, our own Washington. Oh! wake not the Hero his
Battles are over, Let him rest, calmly rest, on his dear native Shore, While
the Stars & the Stripes of our Country shall wave O'er the Land that can boast
of a Washington Grave." The statement on the right
reads: "Disturb not his Slumbers let Washington sleep
Neath the Boughs of the Willow that over him weep, His Arm is unnerved, but
his Deeds remain bright, As the Stars in the dark vaulted Heavan at Night. Oh!
wake not the Hero, his Battles are over, Let him rest undisturbed on the
Potomacs fair Shore, On the Rivers green Borders, so flowery drest, With the
Hearts he loved fondly, let Washington rest."
The seven scenes depicted starting from
the left top are a man sleeping next to a bag with a stairway to heaven behind
him. Next is an Angel next to a women. Bottom left is a scene of a Masonic
altar with three burning tapers (candles) around it. Bottom center is a
shovel, mallet and a casket. Bottom right has the two columns of Boaz
and Jachin with their celestial globes on top. The "All-seeing Eye" is
in the top center. There are four figures next to the base of the columns and
the two on the left are Fortitude & Prudence and the two on right are
Temperance & Justice.
Underneath casket, shovel and mallet is
"Strobridge & Co. Lithographers, Cincinnati, O." On the
very bottom in fine print reads "Entered according to Act of Congress in
the Year 1867 by Strobridge & Co in the Clerks Office of the U.S. District
Court of the Southern District of Ohio". The colors are wonderful in
this Litho.
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