Constitutions of the Antient Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons

London: J Rozea, 1784. Fine Binding. Very Good. 10.5" by 8.5". None. A very scarce, beautifully bound copy of the constitution of the Freemasons. Published in the late eighteenth century and in a fine binding from the Lodge of Harmony Fareham's library. An important and early edition of this foundational text on Freemasonry. In a beautiful full morocco binding with 'Lodge of Harmony Fareham' inlayed to the front board. The Lodge of Harmony no.309 was constituted in 1796 under charter from The Ancients Grand Lodge. It merged with moderns to become the United Grand Lodge of England. This is a new edition of the 'Constitutions', brought down until 1784. Illustrated, with a detailed and very grand engraved frontispiece depicting the Freemason hall at Queen Street, Lincolns Inn Fields 1786. With a bookplate for the Lodge of Harmony Library to the front pastedown. The publisher's adverts for this work is to the final leaf verso as called for. Library number '46' to the spine. This collection of rules were first collected by James Anderson who was determined to produce an authoritative digest of the Constitutions. He first did this in 1723, and the work passed through several editions. 'Constitutions' is regarded to be the standard code on Freemasonry and was translated into several languages and was swiftly reprinted in America as soon as 1734 by Benjamin Franklin. Anderson was assigned this task by John Theophilus Desaguliers. This New Edition was produced under the direction of the hall committee by John Noorthouck. Noorthouck is best known for his works on the topography of London. He has also written a work called 'Noorthouck's Masonry'. Half of this work comprises of the history of freemasonry, which is followed by the 'charges' or general rules for the conduct of Freemasons, and Payne's Regulations which are the specific rules by which the Grand Lodge and the lodges under its control were governed. Following this there is a discussion on the process of dedicating a new lodge and several freemasonry songs and anthems. There are also tables of grand officers, stewards and subscribers to the hall loan. A very important and scarce work in the establishment and history of Freemasonry. In a sumptuous full morocco binding. With 'Lodge of Harmony Fareham' inlaid to the front and rear boards. Externally, very smart with light rubbing to the joints and to the extremities. Split to the front joint, with the hinge extremely tender. Library label to the spine, '46'. Bookplate to the front pastedown, 'Lodge of Harmony Library'. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are generally bright. Scattered spots to the first and last few pages. Otherwise, just the occasional light spots to pages. Very Good