Masonic souvenir for James G. Elwood, 1880

Item — Box: 489

Identifier: GL2004-11350

Scope and Contents

Souvenir book of Masonic calling cards for James G. Elwood of Joliet, Illinois, from Grand Commandery of Illinois. Booklet has two rivets. Four cards inside are held together with a red ribbon threaded through the rivets.

Dates

Creation: 1880

Creator

From the Collection: Freemasons. Grand Lodge of Massachusetts (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical / Historical

In 1880, James G. Elwood, along with thousands of other Knights Templar, attended the 21st Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States in Chicago. Elwood and other office holders in the Commandery of Illinois had special booklets of personalized calling cards, also called emblem cards, assembled for the event. Tied with red ribbon and protected by a colorful cover, each bundle contained cards related to one man’s Masonic affiliations. Elwood’s collections of gilt-edged cards noted his blue lodge in Joliet, his Royal Arch chapter, and his office in the Commandery of Illinois. These booklets were likely given to or exchanged with Conclave attendees and preserved as souvenirs of the event. Freemasons like James Elwood have long created and amassed souvenirs designed to commemorate travel, special meetings, ceremonies, and social gatherings.