The History of Freemasonry, Its Antiquities, Symbols, Constitutions, Customs etc, by Robert Freke Gould, T.C. & E.C. Jack, Edinburgh, c. 1888

Robert Freke Gould's History of Freemasonry is one of the landmark nineteenth century studies of the subject, long regarded as a foundational work in serious Masonic historiography. Drawing extensively on official records and documentary sources from Britain, Ireland, Europe and North America, Gould sought to place the history of the fraternity on a more rigorous historical footing, moving beyond legend and anecdote. Richly illustrated with plates of Masonic regalia, costume and medals, the work combines scholarly substance with impressive visual presentation. This particularly attractive set is further enhanced by early Scottish Masonic provenance, bearing ownership inscriptions from St. John's Lodge No. 14, Dunkeld, Perthshire, one dated 1903.

A most handsome set of Gould's respected work on Freemasonry, in 3 volumes complete.

The History of Freemasonry, Its Antiquities, Symbols, Constitutions, Customs etc. Embracing an Investigation of the Records of the Organisations of the Fraternity in England, Ireland, British Colonies, France, Germany, and the United States. Derived from official Sources. By Robert Freke Gould, Barrister-at-Law, Past Senior Grand Deacon of England.

Published by T.C. & E.C. Jack, Grange Publishing Works, Edinburgh. Undated, but c. 1888. Chapter One includes references up to the date of 1887, providing an indication of the likely publishing date. We believe this is likely to be the first edition thus (three-volume issue, and still published by Jack), c.1888 (previously published progressively as a multipart series between 1882-87 until Gould completed the work). This is the specific 3-volume issue as can be seen by the Contents/preliminary pages.

Overall. a near fine set of impressive hardback volumes. Covers bound with navy blue morocco leather spine and corners, with detailed gilt decoration to the spine. Boards covered in a bright blue cloth with gilt Masonic design and title to the front, with leather compartments with gilt and blind stamped rules.

All volumes are soundly bound. Spines with modest sunning and extremities with some bumping and wear. With decorative headbands. Text block edges retain their shiny gilt finish. Volume II with crack to gutter after title page, but binding retains integrity. Cloth with some small white flecks and scuff marks.

Provenance: The first free blank endpapers after the opening black endpapers, have had the previous owner's name clipped out with a diagonal cut, but there is another inscription written in hand to the same page of each volume; 'J.W.', St. John's no. 14, in Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland (founded 1734). One of the inscriptions is dated to 1903.

The text pages are in fine condition throughout - bright and clean without spotting. The Plates are bright and colourful with no offsetting. The tissue guard protecting the portrait frontispiece in Volume I has a tear, but is present. There are a few small spots to the margins of this page, but rather minor. All Plates are as called for.

A most handsome set.

Text in English.

Vol I: Frontispiece + Prelims + 504pp + XII + (1) Mason's Marks. Plates with descriptions and guards. The Plates feature Masonic Clothing and Regalia - British and continental, edited and described by Fred. J.W. Crowe); 

Vol II: Frontispiece + Prelims + 502pp + XIII - XXIV (Masonic  Regalia) + (6) additional plates);

Vol III: Frontispiece + Prelims + 502pp + XXV - XXXVI (Masonic  Regalia) + (2) additional plates of Medals. 

Dimensions: each volume approx 294mm high x 238mm wide x 51mm deep.

Weight: a substantial set - approximately 7.2kg (the set - unpacked).