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 provides an intensive history of the Freemasons, looking at the Society across the UK, Europe, and the United States. 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 Volume one and two of William Freke Gould's standard work on the history of Freemasonry. Illustrated with 33 monochrome, and colour plates. Published by Thomas C. Jack, London, 1885/1886. Publishers’ original half leather, with uniform red boards. Masonic symbols and gilt embellishment to 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. - 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. - Chapter XII Early British Freemasonry to Chapter XX 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 Book Dimensions: 30 x 23 x 5 cm. A magnificent publication weighing in excess of 6kg. Condition Wear to boards’ corners, and edges, with some faded marks on covers. The leather at the head and tail of spine of first volume is rubbed. Internally both volumes are in very good condition. Neat label of Chelmsford Masonic Library on inside front cover of both volumes. Pages are clean, with occasional foxing on some pages. All pages are tightly held at the gutter. Inner hinges are very good. All plates are present and bright (Please see pictures).