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. 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 only of three volume set of William Freke Gould's standard work on the history of Freemasonry. Illustrated with tissue-guarded portrait frontispiece ‘H.R.H The Duke of Connaught. K.G.’, 12 full-page tissue guarded vibrant colour plates, and 1 full-page tissue guarded monochrome plates. Published by T.C & E.C. Jack, Edinburgh, ca. 1884. Publishers’ original half leather, with blue boards. Masonic symbols and gilt embellishment to front boards. Spine with gilt lettering, and decorated with Masonic symbols. All page gilt. Book Dimensions: 29 x 23 x 5 cm and Number of pages: 504 Nice publication, weighing in excess of 2.5kg. Contents: 1. The Ancient Mysteries - The Essenes - The Roman Collegia - The Culdees 2. The Old Charges of British Freemasons 3. The Stonemasons (Steinmetzen) of Germany 4. The Craft Guilds (Corps D'Etat) of France 5. The Companionage, or Les Compagnons du Tour de France 6. Medieval Operative Masonry 7. The Statutes relating to the Freemasons 8. Early British Freemasonry (Scotland) 9. Mason's Marks 10. The Quator Coronati (The Four Crowned or Four Holy Martyrs) 11. Apocryphal Manuscripts Condition External covers are marked, with some white faded spots to rare cover. Wear to corners, and rubbing and tear to head and foot of spine. Internally; in good condition. No names or inscriptions. All pages are tightly held at the gutter. Inner hinges are very good. Pages are clean, with light foxing to the margin of few pages and to the tissue guards. The book contains 13 leaves of plate; all are present, and in very good condition (Please see pictures).