PIERSON, A. T. C. [ Azariah T C Pierson ] & Godfrey W. Steinbrenner.

The Traditions, Origin and Early History of Freemasonry [comprising] Traditions of Freemasonry and its Coincidence with the Ancient Mysteries by A. T. C. Pierson [&] The Origin and Early History of Masonry by Godfrey W. Steinbrenner (Two books in one volume ).

New York: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Inc., 1885. Second Edition thus. Hardcover. Large octavo. Two Volumes in One. Volume. Book I: Traditions of Freemasonry and its Coincidence with the Ancient Mysteries (Pierson): xii, 13-384pp, AND Book II: The Origin and Early History of Masonry (Steinbrenner): 164 pp. Original bright blue cloth with beveled edges to the boards. Gilt titling and embellishments to spine, gilt borders and illustration to upper board and spine, blind borders to rear board. All edges gilt, colored endpapers, b&w frontispieces with tissue guards at both title pages, b&w illustrations, text pages bordered in black. "An elaborate account of the traditions which form the basis of the degrees of Freemasonry, and their coincidence with the ancient mysteries: also, the origin of the society of operative masons and its transformation into a speculative fraternity; with a brief history of the order and it's rituals and customs." A beautifully produced volume - the two works were first published together thus in 1882. A little light rubbing to cloth at spine ends and corners, a couple of small lightly faded patches, a little very light bruising. Tear across first tissue guard, short tear at extreme inner margin of first title-page, small corner chip from rear free endpaper. Still, overall a lovely, bright, clean & unmarked VG+ copy of this truly handsome, which is very scarce in any early edition. Item #67906

Price: $175.00