Shop Class: Odd Fellows & Freemasons
Thursday, October 21, 2010 at 9:45AM Last year while working at Agent Gallery Chicago, I sold some leather gauntlets. Specifically, covered in symbols ceremonial Masonic gauntlets that were from an old lodge in Chicago. Apparently, they were used in riutals of a secret sort. Or maybe the dudes just threw 'em down all day and pretended to start duels?
Present day Odd Fellows. Click to read more about them. Image by PJEither way, the symbols tell a story, and if you do some sleuthing you can maybe find the truth behind them -- but is it the real scoop? Because of all the secrets and conspiracy and occult allegations, it can be hard to tell what these frats are all about. For example, burying the dead was one of the Odd Fellows' mainstay offerings back when there wasn't such a service, but was it just that? Just a service or something else? Many people have many opinions on the subject. Click the images and links to explore these groups a bit more.
Click for more Odd Fellows History.But all that aside -- let's get down to brass tacks in terms of selling, how can you make sure you are identifying something correctly? Odd Fellows and Freemason items have a similar symbolic thing going on, which can make things tricky. Well friends, TVB is here to help you out with informational links and fratty gear spying tips! (P.s. Some links may contain offensive content. Not unsafe for work stuff, but just a heads up.)
Click to see larger size.
Click to view large sizeLinks!
Secrets of the Masonic Symbols -- occult angle #1 and #2
Urban Remains Odd Fellows stash
Freemason History, part 1 on Youtube starring Nicolas Cage!!!
Sheesh, that's quite a lot of info and I barely scratched the surface. I think I found a new wintertime research obsession! Got more info for me? School me in the comments!
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