Original and complete set with over 50 full-page plates The History of Freemasonry Its Antiquities, Symbols, Constitutions, Customs, etc. Embracing an Investigation of the Records of the Organisations of the Fraternity in England, Scotland, 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 It is generally considered that the Freemasons began with the establishment of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717. Since its publication this work has remained the standard reference work on the subject. This work provide an intensive history of the Freemasons, looking at the Society across the UK, Europe, and the United States. This volume is particular looks into the early British Freemasonry, the history of the Grand Lodge of England, Freemasonry in York, and more. Written by Robert Freke Gould, who was best known for this work, being a prominent Freemason. He was also a soldier and barrister. He was one of the founders of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge in 1886, as he and his fellows had been unsatisfied with the way that Freemasonry history had been offered in the past. Gould was the second Master of the lodge. Description A complete three volume set of William Freke Gould's standard work on the history of Freemasonry. Illustrated with 50 monochrome, colour and folding plates. Published by Thomas C. Jack, London, 1883 / 1887. Publishers’ original half leather, with uniform red boards. Masonic symbols and gilt embellishment to all front boards. Spine with five raised bands and gilt decoration to compartments. Gilt lettering to compartments two and four. Marbled endpapers. All page edges gilt. Volume I. (1883) - Chapter I The Ancient Mysteries through to Chapter XI Apocryphal Manuscripts. - Illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece, and fifteen monochrome plates. - Number of pages: 504 Volume II. (1885) - Chapter XII through to XX (Early British Freemasonry to History of the Grand Lodge of England 1761-1813). - Illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece, two colour plates, and fourteen monochrome plates. - Number of pages: 502 Volume III. (1887) - Chapter XXI History of Grand Lodge of England 1814-85 to XXXII The Dominion of Canada and Newfoundland. - Illustrated with tissue-guarded frontispiece, three folding plates, and fifteen monochrome plates. - Number of pages: 502 Book Dimensions: 30 x 23 x 5 cm. A magnificent publication with weighing in excess of 8kg. Condition External covers are marked, with some wear, and scuffing to corners, and edges. Spines are rubbed and aged along both sides and at the top and bottom, with some repair to the external joints of two volumes. Internally the three volumes are in good condition. No writing or inscriptions. Some tanning and marks on some pages. All pages are tightly held at the gutter. Inner hinges are very good. The text is clean and bright. All plates are present and in nice condition (Please see pictures).