Circa 1880 Masonic "Malvern" Shoe Horn The origins of Great Malvern lie in the foundation of a Priory of Benedictine Monks in 1085. After the Priory was dissolved in 1539, the village that had grown next to it hardly changed until Dr. Wall of Worcester made public the extreme purity and healing effects of Malvern Water in the middle of the eighteenth century. Malvern became a popular ‘watering place’ or spa and many of the elegant late Georgian and Regency properties were built in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Malvern also benefited from being on the high road between Worcester and Ledbury, so that accommodating travellers remained a priority in addition to accommodating the growing number of visitors. It is recorded that in November 1801 James Stokes, gentleman, of Malvern, was initiated in the Worcester Lodge which had been founded in 1790 and then met at the Rein Deer Inn in Mealcheapen Street, Worcester. He may have been the first Malvern Freemason. In the middle part of the nineteenth century, before the founding of The Royds Lodge, there were many residents of the expanding and thriving town of Malvern who were members of Worcester Lodges. Edward Wallace Elmslie, who settled in Malvern in 1855, is of special interest. He was initiated into the Worcester Lodge No. 280 in 1857 and was the notable architect of Great Malvern Station, the Imperial Hotel (now Malvern St James), the Priory Park Mansion (now the Council House) and many other buildings in the town. Please note that if you wish your parcel to be sent as a “gift” rather than a “sale” (which may exempt you from additional customs fees), kindly inform me. However, please be aware that this decision is entirely your responsibility. * All of my objects are from my family’s private, used collection by true Masons. * Please be advised that parcels may be damaged, delayed, or subject to additional fees due to local courier transportation, customs checks, taxes, and other factors. * The recipient is solely responsible for paying the customs charges, duties, or taxes applicable to the destination country. * Parcels will be held by customs until any outstanding payments are made. Failure to make payments may result in the parcel being returned, delayed, or, in certain cases, destroyed. If a parcel is destroyed, no refund will be issued. * Refused, unpaid, or parcels with incorrect addresses will be returned to me. This process may take up to a month, and the parcel will only be resend to the buyer once the full postage fees have been remitted.