Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The most exciting militaria pieces brought to you by Edgar Clin 

Edgar Clin

A Lexicon of Freemasonry – Albert G. Mackey, Charleston 1845 – True First American Edition, with Early Provenance and Rare Bound-In Prospectus

An exceptionally rare and significant volume for any serious collector of Masonic literature: the true first American edition of Albert G. Mackey’s A Lexicon of Freemasonry. Published in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1845, this is the genuine first printing of Mackey’s foundational work, which went on to become one of the most influential Masonic texts of the 19th century.

This copy is remarkable for three key features that distinguish it as a unique collector’s item:

• True first edition status: Title and copyright pages confirm the 1845 publication and registration date, establishing this as the genuine first printing, produced in the centre of American Freemasonry.
• Early provenance: The front flyleaf bears a clear handwritten ownership inscription in ink, “S. Rawson – 1846,” dating the book to just one year after publication.
• Rare bound-in prospectus: Several pages of a publisher’s prospectus from the London seller “Brother Spencer, 314, High Holborn” are bound in. Such ephemeral advertising material rarely survives, making this a bibliographical rarity that offers unique insight into the transatlantic Masonic book trade.

The book retains its original publisher’s binding in dark brown cloth, with ornate blind-stamped decoration to the boards and gilt lettering with a Masonic Square and Compasses emblem on the spine. The volume is complete, comprising 360 pages with appendices detailing Masonic charters and diplomas. It also features an allegorical frontispiece engraving of the “Supreme Council 33°.”

Details
• Author: Albert G. Mackey
• Title: A Lexicon of Freemasonry
• Edition: True first American edition
• Publisher: Charleston, South Carolina, 1845
• Pagination: 360 pages plus appendices
• Illustrations: Engraved allegorical frontispiece of the Supreme Council 33°
• Binding: Original publisher’s dark brown cloth, blind-stamped boards, gilt lettering and emblem on spine
• Provenance: Inscription “S. Rawson – 1846” on front flyleaf; bound-in London publisher’s prospectus

Measurements
19.3 × 12.5 × 2.5 cm

Condition
Good, honest antiquarian condition. The original cloth binding remains secure, with general shelf wear and bumped corners. Blind-stamping clear and well-preserved. Gilt lettering and emblem on spine faded but legible, with some wear to spine ends. A small section of cloth from the top of the spine is detached but preserved, left unrestored for the new owner’s choice of conservation. Pages solid, with moderate foxing, mostly at the beginning and end. Clear early inscription. Frontispiece engraving in good condition.

Importance
A rare opportunity to acquire a “triple-threat” collector’s copy: the true first edition of one of the 19th century’s most influential Masonic texts, with early dated provenance and an exceptionally rare bound-in prospectus.

Shipping & Packaging
Fully tracked and insured delivery.
Shipping cost includes professional packaging, careful handling, and secure postage.
Carefully packed using recycled materials where possible.

Please review all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.

History - Quantity: 1 - Book

Albert G. Mackey - A Lexicon of Freemasonry. True First American Edition with Rare Publisher's Prospectus - 1845

Historical Memorabilia

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Closing date

today

Friday

Tuesday

4 January

7 January

tomorrow

Saturday

Budget

From

Location

France

The Netherlands

Italy

Germany

Japan

Spain

Belgium

Poland

United Kingdom

Ukraine

Romania

Israel

Ireland

Austria

Slovak Republic

United States

Bulgaria

Denmark

Greece

Hong Kong

Lithuania

Latvia

Portugal

Türkiye

Estonia

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Military medal

Book

Manuscript

Photograph

Military accessories

Autograph letter signed (ALS)

Badge

Military equipment

Tsuba

Medal

Military helmet

Document

Military uniform

Reward

Watch

Service medallion

Photo album

Bible

Flag

Military photograph

Space memorabilia

Commemorative medallion

Ring

Plate

Country of origin

Netherlands

Russia

Unknown

Hungary

United States of America

Yugoslavia

Czech Republic

Serbia

Czechoslovakia

U.K.

Material

Bronze

Silver

Metal

Brass

Bronze (gilt/silvered/patinated)

Enamel

Gold

Gold-plated

Steel (stainless)

Leather

Silverplate

Paper

Wood

Steel

Porcelain

Cotton

Glass

Aluminium

Earthenware

Iron (cast/wrought)

Silvered bronze

Copper

Patinated bronze

Stainless steel

Composite

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good

Good condition

Excellent

Very good

Excellent condition

Fine

Very good condition

Fair condition

Fair

As new, unused

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

As new

Mixed / Multiple

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Very fine

Poor

Original State

Ungraded

Unworn - no signs of wear

Good - visible signs of wear

Very good - minor signs of wear

As new - unused

Excellent condition - barely used with minimal signs of wear

Extras

Signed

Signed by author

Limited edition

Hand coloured illustrations

Other - see description

Fold out maps or plates

Mouthpiece

Slipcase

Dust jacket

Tipped in plates

Period

Edo Period (1600-1868)

Mid Edo period

20th - early (WW I)

1920-1930

2020+

20th - late

19th - late

19th - early

1850-1900

1800-1850

Late Edo period

1910-1920

18th - late

20th century

Late 20th century

Meiji period (1868-1912)

1940-1950

19th - mid

1980-1989

1990-1999

Taishō period (1912-1926)

1960-1970

1930-1940

1700-1750

1750-1800

Subject

War history

History

Documentary photography

Military

Heraldry

Religion

Literature

Illustrated

Incunabula & early printing

Portrait

Historical Memorabilia

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Albert G. Mackey - A Lexicon of Freemasonry. True First American Edition with Rare Publisher's Prospectus - 1845

Popular in Historical Memorabilia

765 objects

Related collections

Cookies

Historical Memorabilia

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Albert G. Mackey - A Lexicon of Freemasonry. True First American Edition with Rare Publisher's Prospectus - 1845

Popular in Historical Memorabilia

765 objects

Related collections