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Master Mason Pocket Certificate

Winter

Premium Member
Many years ago a close friend and Brother from Scotland showed me his Master Mason certificate he would present when visiting lodges in the US, since his jurisdiction didn't issue dues cards. It was quite possibly one of the most interesting Masonic documents I have ever seen. It looked like a small booklet, but when opened was actually his Master Mason certificate that unfolded. I have found a similar one from the GL of ME from 1928 here:

44585137350_6f7a6f45d9_c.jpg


I think they are an amazing piece of Masonic history and a tradition I would like to see return. It makes me want to use my Photoshop skills to mock one up!
 

Scoops

Registered User
We get issued such a certificate as well, although it doesn't fold down into a little pocket booklet. I'd post a picture of it, but we're advised against displaying them in public as they contain elements of the tracing boards, which is a shame as it's a beautiful document!

Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
When I completed my MM proficiency I got a pocket sized form like that. I ordered from GL the full sized version. Being attached to a book cover is a very nice addition I have not seen before.
 

CLewey44

Registered User
We had a visitor (a brother of a Brother) from the Netherlands and he had a very similar item. I would love it if the US GLs would do such a thing again.
That would require over 50 GLs to get on board with that which alludes back the one main GLofUSA issue haha.
 

Winter

Premium Member
That would require over 50 GLs to get on board with that which alludes back the one main GLofUSA issue haha.

Here's the plan. We sneak into the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, a-la 80's movie style shenanigans, and swap out the real agenda with our carefully crafted replacement that has an item on the list for every jurisdiction to adopt these booklet-style certificates. Viola!
 

CLewey44

Registered User
Here's the plan. We sneak into the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, a-la 80's movie style shenanigans, and swap out the real agenda with our carefully crafted replacement that has an item on the list for every jurisdiction to adopt these booklet-style certificates. Viola!
Boom, problem solved!
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
That would require over 50 GLs to get on board with that which alludes back the one main GLofUSA issue haha.
AAARRRRGGGHHH!!!!
Here's the plan. We sneak into the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, a-la 80's movie style shenanigans, and swap out the real agenda with our carefully crafted replacement that has an item on the list for every jurisdiction to adopt these booklet-style certificates. Viola!
Boom, problem solved!
LOL!
 

Bloke

Premium Member
Many years ago a close friend and Brother from Scotland showed me his Master Mason certificate he would present when visiting lodges in the US, since his jurisdiction didn't issue dues cards. It was quite possibly one of the most interesting Masonic documents I have ever seen. It looked like a small booklet, but when opened was actually his Master Mason certificate that unfolded. I have found a similar one from the GL of ME from 1928 here:

44585137350_6f7a6f45d9_c.jpg


I think they are an amazing piece of Masonic history and a tradition I would like to see return. It makes me want to use my Photoshop skills to mock one up!
The text is actually very similar to the Travel Letter our Secs write, which is then sealed by GL, and signed by the WM, Sec and the Traveling Brother...

It is a very cool item you have there..
 

dfreybur

Premium Member
We had a visitor (a brother of a Brother) from the Netherlands and he had a very similar item. I would love it if the US GLs would do such a thing again.

In the US we absolutely issue these forms. We just make them the size of a credit card and call them dues cards. Printed by the GL, check. Embossed by the local lodge, check. Statement that the Brother is proficient and current on his dues, check.
 

Winter

Premium Member
In the US we absolutely issue these forms. We just make them the size of a credit card and call them dues cards. Printed by the GL, check. Embossed by the local lodge, check. Statement that the Brother is proficient and current on his dues, check.

You are of course correct that the dues card issued by US GL's does serve this purpose. But I would argue that they represent the loss of style and elegance found in older Masonic documents for the sake of expediency and ease.
 

Warrior1256

Site Benefactor
In the US we absolutely issue these forms. We just make them the size of a credit card and call them dues cards. Printed by the GL, check. Embossed by the local lodge, check. Statement that the Brother is proficient and current on his dues, check.
Good points Brother!
You are of course correct that the dues card issued by US GL's does serve this purpose. But I would argue that they represent the loss of style and elegance found in older Masonic documents for the sake of expediency and ease.
I agree with you Brother Winter but sometimes convenience and ease trumps style and elegance.
 

The Traveling Man

Registered User
In the US we absolutely issue these forms. We just make them the size of a credit card and call them dues cards. Printed by the GL, check. Embossed by the local lodge, check. Statement that the Brother is proficient and current on his dues, check.

I don't think that what he describes compares to a dues card. A Master Mason certificate proves that you are a Master Mason, but doesn't show that you are paid up on dues and/or in good standing. By contract, the dues, considered legal information, shows that you are in good standing. I have never seen a pocket sized certificate like. It'd be kind of cool to carry something that in my wallet, along with my dues card.
 
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