I.O.O.F. Catalogue of regalia, costumes, paraphernalia, books, blanks and miscellaneous supplies. Number forty-six.

Item Details

New London, OH:, The Ward-Stilson Co.,, 1912., Softcover

First edition, VG

Folio. 10.25 x 13.75 in. 129, [1] pp. With 100’s of text illustrations & plates, many w/ colour-tinting, or in full printed colour. Red cloth-backed red softcovers, raised & embossed blue & gilt lettering on front cover, cover illust. of Thomas Wildey mounted on front cover (minor edgewear, slight bumping to couple corners, shelfwear), still a VG bright copy, w/ TL dittoed ordering letter to Odd Fellows Secretary about ordering from this catalogue, on engraved letterhead, and additional leaf of premiums also laid-in.

First edition, thus, of this lavish Edwardian costume and regalia catalogue for the Odd Fellows. The I.O.O.F. was an altruistic fraternal organization closely related to the Freemasons in ritual and regalia, yet devoted to assisting those in need, and built homes for seniors and orphaned children across the country. Reconstituted after being severely depleted during the Civil War, the Odd Fellows became by 1912 the largest fraternal organization in the United States with more members than the Masons, and had over 3.5 million members worldwide. Their ritual work was noted for their elaborate morality plays, and extensive uses of scenery, magic lanterns, music, and even reproductions of the Ark of the Covenant, and Incense Altars. The automaton Self-Playing automatic harps were quite elaborate and fascinating musical machines, and this catalogue illustrates several models.  This catalogue encompasses 100s of costumes necessary for ritual degree work, including those for past Grand, Right Supporters, Noble Grand, Vice Grand, Chaplain, Warden, Herald, Conductor, Scene Supporter, Inner Guard, King Saul, Jesse, Good Samaritan, High Priest, and others. Also included are swords -- some with inlaid hilts, bugles, horns, jewels, hand-painted scenery, landscapes, magic lanterns for projection, ledgers, banners, and even lighting systems.  Ward & Stilson originally bought a lodge rosette business in 1891 which quickly grew into one of the largest suppliers of fraternal order regalia in the country. No copies located in Worldcat; See: Foskett, History of New London.