Through Masonic artefacts, the whole spectrum of the history of Freemasonry is opened to us. Even a brief visit to any one of our many Masonic museums will transport us through centuries of our craft. The Leicester masonic Library and Museum is situated on the first floor of the conveniently placed Masonic Hall just a five-minute walk from Leicester station. The whole building has an ambiance of friendliness and when you enter a sense of serenity and calm descends.
    The first striking exhibit is a three-tier glass case along the left wall entitled The John Thorpe Collection. John Thomas Thorpe (1849-1932) was a prominent Leicester mason, a Past Master of both the Quatuor Coronati lodge and the Lodge of Research, Leicester. He was also a prolific author and collector of masonic curiosities. In 1929, by his will, he bequeathed his library and collection to the trustees of Freemasons’ Hall, Leicester, subject to commitments that the collection would be properly housed, displayed and insured. Thus, in 1932, the present Museum and Library was established.
    The Museum has been closely identified with Thorpe’s name though the overall holdings now far exceed the original bequest. Nonetheless, items in the Thorpe holding remain outstanding. The five hundred volumes of Masonic books (out of the present 4500 copies in the library) that he gathered include some exceedingly rare examples. The collection of exposures of the 18th and early 19th century which is comprehensive, if not complete, includes five copies of Samuel Prichard’s Masonry Dissected - with a first edition of 1730 - and the run of thirty volumes of Jachin and Boaz, from the first in 1762 to the 1820s, is as complete a series as one can hope to attain. The books are complemented by an important series of at least five hundred English and French masonic certificates covering every conceivable degree over an extended period of time.
    One unique document worthy of mention is a conveyance of property in Bury St Edmunds dated the 22nd year of Henry VII (1507) and states (in Latin) Know all men now and in the future that we John Bushe of Burry St Edmund, Free Mason, son and heir of Isabella…
    This being an early use of the term Freemason.
    The Museum has a large collection of Masonic jewels and medals and it is here that the special display of Thorpe’s collection of jewels represents the quality and high standards of the Museum. There are jewels of every period, shape and size, made from a range of different materials, representing the jeweller’s craft at its best.
    The earliest jewels of the craft, until about 1760, were made of silver plate and frequently hand engraved, not unlike the personalised aprons of the period. Many of these jewels display emblems of degrees and orders beyond the craft, many now forgotten.
    The very first jewel on display in the cabinet is a Master’s jewel, property of "I R Powel Lodge, No 268": this probably refers to the All Saints Lodge in Northumberland, which was granted a warrant by the Premier Grand Lodge in 1755 and was erased in April 1775. The quaint primitive engraving on the jewel adds a charm of its own: a Knight in armour, sword drawn, stands over a coffin surrounded by various Masonic emblems. A pair of similarly engraved plate jewels show much greater delicacy in the engraving and belonged to the Antients Grand Lodge, one with the familiar coat of arms of the Grand Lodge fully occupying the obverse and various emblems, many beyond the craft, engraved on the reverse.
    Pierced jewels became fashionable after the 1760s and remained in fashion well into the 18th Century; they are the most attractive of all jewels. At this early period, the Master and other senior Brethren wore their jewels on a collaret. Jeremy Ridge, the congenial chairman of the Library and Museum, theorises that the transition from collar to breast may have occurred as a result of Brethren, after having held office, transferring the collar jewel to the breast. Several examples are outstanding in the Thorpe collections. One large jewel, 45mm across, dated Anno Lucis 5763, bears each of the varied Masonic emblems as individually pierced designs. All the 18th century jewel are hallmarked and are exquisite examples of rare museum pieces.
    One of the important manifestations of the resilience of Brethren in adverse circumstances may be found in the stories of masonic Lodges held in Prisoner of War camps. Many artefacts were produced by prisoners. Masons met in prison during the extended period of the Wars against France from the middle of the 18th century through to 1815, as well as during the world wars of the last century. A series of Masonic jewels pertaining to the earlier period are popularly known as Applique. These are quaint and detailed hand-made jewels utilising colourful pieces of paper cut to the shape of familiar emblems and placed inside brass framed watch cases. Each of these jewels is unique although the designs find frequent repetition in the eight in the Thorpe collection. John Thorpe’s interest in this theme in particular should not be surprising: he is the author of the standard reference work, French Prisoners’ Lodges, (Leicester, 1935).
    Masonic jewels of this period cannot be mentioned without associating them with the well known jeweller and craftsman Thomas Harper (1735-1832). Harper was a very active freemason within the Antients Grand Lodge and played a key part, as the Deputy Grand Master of the Antients, in the Union of 1813. He has also left a legacy of superlative jewel designs, both engraved and pierced, with many relating to the Royal Arch. The Leicester Museum has examples on display.
    Today the knowledgeable Jeremy Ridge and his assistant Walter Glover efficiently run every aspect of the museum and library with an electronic catalogue of all books and objects. Jeremy was appointed to the Museum committee when a Fellow Craft, at a time when he worked as book dealer. His interest in Freemasonry and advancement through the Craft must have been propelled by the love he openly shows toward all the books and artefacts that now surround him each day of the year.

The Leicester Freemasons’ Hall Library and Museum, 80 London Road, Leicester LE2 0RA. Chairman, Library and Museum Committee: Jeremy Ridge. Hon. Custodian and Librarian: Walter Glover. Open Monday to Friday, 9.00 to 12.00 am. Tel 0116 254 5325.

Yasha Beresiner, LLB, is a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076.