Printed one year before the constitutions of the grand lodge of england, and being, as hughan holds, an exclusively operative document, it stands at the parting of the ways between operative and speculative masonry. Andersons constitutions of 1723 masonic service association on. This is now the wellknown book of constitutions, which contains the history of freemasonry or, more correctly, architecture, the ancient charges. See all 7 formats and editions hide other formats and editions. In presenting an american edition of andersons constitutions to the masonic fraternity, the publisher feels confident that there are but few readers in the order who have not dwelt with interest and delight on the pages of this most popular work popular at least with masons, and esteemed by them as the written landmarks of masonry. This was in 1670 and this james anderson is no doubt another person. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance to. Download andersons constitutions of 1738 pdf free video. This is the seminal work of american masonry, edited and published by one of the founding fathers, and of great importance.
There is a remarkable similarity between his entry in the constitutions of his name as master of a lodge and author of this book, and in entry in the aberdeen. The 1723 edition of the constitutions was edited and reprinted by benjamin franklin in philadelphia in 1734, becoming the first believed masonic book printed in america. Sep 04, 2008 this is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723. An american facsimile of the first edition of 1723 was issued at new york city in 1855, and there are reprints of the same edition in coxs old constitutions belonging to the freemasons of england and ireland 1871 and in the first volume of kennings masonic arch. There is a remarkable similarity between his entry in the constitutions of his name as master of a lodge and author of this book, and in entry in the aberdeen mark book, of james anderson, glazier and mason and writer of this book. Andersons constitutions were based on the old masonic manuscripts also. Jan 07, 2008 the frontispiece to the constitutions of 1723, which was used over again without alteration in 1738, represents a classical arcade in the foreground of which stand two noble personages, each attended by three others of whom one of those on the spectators left carries cloaks and pairs of gloves. This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723.
Buy andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service association isbn. The constitutions of the freemasons unl digital commons. The constitutions of the freemasons was a constitution written for the premier grand lodge of england. Reproduction of the constitutions of the freemasons or andersons constitution of 1723 also titled. Andersons constitutions of 1723 andersons constitutions of 1723 by bro. This was the first masonic book known to have been published in the american colonies, printed in philadelphia in 1734. Lionel vibert, of marline, lansdowne, bath, england, is author of freemasonry before the existence of grand lodges and the story of the craft and is editor of miscellanea latomorum. Andersons constitutions of 1723 freemason information.
Anderson j constitutions 1723 80 pages london internet archive. To us american masons to whom masonic jurisprudence is an almost necessary preoccupation, any new light on that formative and critical period, and especially on dr. Buy andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service association online at alibris. The 1723 edition of the book of constitutions was far from being the sole work of anderson. On the 29th of september, 1721, he was commissioned by the grand lodge to collect and compile the history, charges, and regulations of the fraternity from the then.
Anderson whose constitutions is the groundwork of our laws, is not only interesting but useful. The constitutions of the freemasons, free pdf global grey. It was a collaboration between men who were engaged in scientific publication, engraving, and the manufacture of maps, scientific instruments and globes, who all shared a great enthusiasm for the new scientific and philosophical thought. The constitutions of the freemasons by james anderson. Index to andersons constitutions of 1723 until a full transcription of the 1723 edition is completed, researchers are directed to the text of the 1734 edition, transcribed by paul royster, university. James anderson, the authorcompiler of the constitutions ii of 1723. This is an online electronic edition of the the first masonic book printed in america. Andersons constitutions of 1723 paperback september 10, 2010 by masonic service association author 4. Last week, around 30,000 people downloaded books from my site 8 people gave donations. Andersons constitutions of 1723 grand lodge of british columbia. The foundation book of british and international freemasonry. Ebook anderson s constitutions of 1723 full online.
Aug 24, 2017 freemasonry in england from 1567 to 18. Andersons constitutions were based on the gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 17207. The 1723 edition of the constitutions was edited and reprinted by benjamin franklin in philadelphia in 1734, becoming the first masonic book printed in america. Lionel vibert, past master quator coronati lodge no. Andersons constitutions of 1723 general regulations, compiled first by m. At the beginning, instead of andersons history, is an extended. My second question is regarding another addition in the 1738 edition for same article 1.
The constitutions of the freemasons 1734 by james anderson. The constitutions of the freemasons james anderson. Including an analysis of andersons constitutions of 1723 and 1738 by hyneman, leon and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Today we value the doctors labours less highly, but the constitutions of 1723 is nevertheless one of the most important records of the craft. I do not make my claims lightly, and i hope this article will lead others into researching this important topic further. A new edition of the constitutions was published in 1754, by john entick. The recorded history of grand lodge dates only from 1723 when the first minute book was commenced, and so for a contemporary account of the formation of grand lodge, and of the first six years of its existence, we have to depend almost exclusively on dr.
An american facsimile of the first edition of 1723 was issued at new york city. Constitutions of the freemasons andersons constitution of 1723 constitutions of 1723 author. One has only to read it alongside the con stitutions of. Plus, free twoday shipping for six months when you sign up for amazon prime for students. In 1756 he published the antients own book of constitutions, entitled the ahiman rezon, for which no meaning is known. Andersons constitutions of 1723 online the complete text is now available online of benjamin franklins reprint of james andersons constitutions of 1723. Andersons constitutions were based on the old masonic manuscripts also called gothic constitutions and on the general regulations which had been compiled first by george payne in 1720. Andersons constitutions of 1723 online freemasons for dummies. He reverted to the charges as drawn up in 1723 into which, especially in the first charge, anderson had introduced various modifications in the 1738 edition. Andersons constitutions of 1723 by masonic service. Reproduction of the constitutions of the freemasons or. The first 1723 and second 1738 edition were written by rev. This is a new edition of the the first masonic book printed in america, which was originally produced in philadelphia by benjamin franklin in 1734, and was a reprint of a work by james anderson who is identified as the author in an appendix printed in london in 1723.
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