Masonic certificate signed by Arturo Schomburg

Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

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.

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