Created by
Most Worshipful Stringer Grand Lodge of Freemasons, Prince Hall Affiliation, founded 1873
Subject of
Capers, Joseph E., American
Signed by
Schomburg, Arturo Alfonso, Puerto Rican, 1874 - 1938
Date
March 5, 1919
Medium
ink on wove paper
Dimensions
H x W: 8 7/16 × 13 5/8 in. (21.5 × 34.6 cm)
Description
A wove paper illustrated and engraved Masonic certificate for Joseph E. Capers, signed by Arturo Schomburg, 1919.
Depicted in highly detailed linework across the bulk of this document, is a super elaborate and ritualistic Freemasons certificate, presented to Joseph E. Capers upon his elevation to Master Mason. At the top is the iconic Egyptian Masonic All-Seeing-Eye, or Eye-of-Rah, the Freemasonic ‘G’ beneath the eye, flanked on either side by Sphinx. The structure drawn has inscriptions that read: [THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE / OF / THE MOST ANCIENT & HONORABLE FRATERNITY / OF / FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS / OF THE / STATE OF NEW YORK / By these present testify and declare to all / whom it may concern that our Brother / [signed] Joseph E. Capers / who has signed his name in the margin hereof is / a Master Mason of regular standing in / … Lodge No 3 We do therefore / recommend that he be received and acknowledged / as such by all free and accepted Freemasons / wheresoever dispersed / In testimony whereof we have caused / the signatures of our Grand Master and our / Grand … and the seal of this Grand / Lodge to be hereunto affixed at / this 5th day of March A.L. 1919 A.D. 1919 / [signed] David W. Parker (Master) / [signed] A. Schomburg].
At the bottom of the certificate is: [This Certificate was delivered to Brother [signed] Joseph E. Capers] on the 17th day of March AL 1919 AD 5919 / By [signed] William H. Hill “acting” Worshipful Master of Corner Stone Lodge No 37 in N. Y. City / Attest: [signed] Joseph W. Albright Secretary].
On the reverse of the certificate are various inscriptions.
Classification
Documents and Manuscripts
Type
engravings
certificates
Topic
Architecture
Associations and institutions
Building Arts
Craftsmanship
Design
Fraternal organizations
Freemasonry
Men
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture purchased with funds provided by the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center
Object number
2020.26.26
Restrictions & Rights
No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b687ce49-d140-43a9-82e3-ba75878851b2

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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