Freemasons, Shriners, and Masonic Stamps Discussion

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 04 Jul 2011 23:13

My primary interest is Masonic stamps and stamps that feature notable Freemasons and their accomplishments.

So far I have identified over 180 Masonic stamps that either purposefully honour Freemasonry or inadvertently feature a Masonic item.

Canada has yet to produce a "pure Masonic stamp" but it has produced this stamp for the Shriners (all shriners are Freemasons). Do you have any Masonic stamps that you can add to this thread?

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 04 Jul 2011 23:15

Here are few more:

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 01:49

Some freemason stamps were produced in booklets in New Zealand a few years ago.

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 02:14

Another more recent booklet of 50c stamps featuring masonic activities in New Zealand.

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 02:16

These are the other different stamps in the booklet.

tonga2 · Post by **tonga2** » 06 Jul 2011 10:40

St Kitts issued a set of 4 Mason stamps, think it was 1985 or thereabouts - here are some imperf between pairs from this set:-

Some like these are for sale here:-

https://www.delcampe.net/list.php?language=E&searchString=mas ... cription=N

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 15:29

Redcoat,

Something tells me the maple leaf comes from Canada

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 15:40

General Lucius Fairchild, Grand Army of the Republic, became Masonic Grand Master of Kansas.
Remembered on this cover posted in 1961.

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 15:50

Redcoat,

This fellow fought the redcoats (and won), but he was also a mason.
George Washington

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 16:52

President William McKinley & Vice President Thedore Roosevelt were both members of masonic lodges.
A 1938 cover commemorates the event.

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 06 Jul 2011 17:00

A USA Benjamin Franklin ½c stamp of 1955 (wet print, or 1958 dry print) which has been overprinted with the masonic symbol.

Would this have been an authorised overprint ?

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 17 Jul 2011 04:15

Scrooge McDuck as the Master of the Lodge

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 17 Jul 2011 04:18

Stampmogul, you are correct, the maple leaf is from Canada.

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 17 Jul 2011 04:34

Stampmogul

I don't know the answer to you overprint question but it may have been the same person who overprinted this strip in my collection.

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 17 Jul 2011 04:48

Here a few more Masonic stamps, these are some of the stamps from Brazil.

Joedaniel · Post by **Joedaniel** » 18 Jan 2014 12:42

Wanted : Any and all stamp items connected with Masonic Philately, Famous Freemasons, Stamps commemorating Freemasonic activity.

joelk · Post by **joelk** » 19 Jan 2014 06:25

Good luck in your quest for Masonic stamps.

Best Regards,
Joel.

stampmogul · Post by **stampmogul** » 19 Jan 2014 17:23

There are many philatelic items relating to Masonic activities such as -

Hopefully a member can assist with some.

moonstone · Post by **moonstone** » 28 Jan 2014 05:13

Republic of Guinea 1987 Masonic personalities, Washington, Lafayette & Churchill, all in MNH blocks of 4.

e-mail me if you are interested.

Sam

AJF777 · Post by **AJF777** » 20 Feb 2014 02:50

Hi.

The only UK stamp that I can recall which features Masonic symbolism is the 1946 George V1 3d. This features the trowel and S&C.

E'mail if interested.

Kindest
Anthony

Queenslander · Post by **Queenslander** » 20 Feb 2014 14:20

Hi have these two lodge items up for sale on delcampe at present.

https://www.delcampe.net/page/item/language,E,id,248742207,va ... -rear.html

https://www.delcampe.com.au/page/item/id,239566292,var,1894-W ... age,E.html

amprantino · Post by **amprantino** » 23 Feb 2014 22:18

Paraguay has a lot of this kind

dorinco · Post by **dorinco** » 25 Feb 2014 11:40

Joedaniel, you can design your own personalized stamp(s) with (almost) any masonic subject you want, in over 60 countries that already offer this option.

For example, I have designed this, with "The Eye of Providence":

Voyager · Post by **Voyager** » 05 Mar 2014 21:29

stamp and First Day Cover issued by India Post in 2011 - Grand Lodge of India.

abutukit · Post by **abutukit** » 17 Mar 2014 23:59

Joedaniel wrote:Wanted : Any and all stamp items connected with Masonic Philately, Famous Freemasons, Stamps commemorating Freemasonic activity.

Hi Joedaniel

I have several covers such as this one of Masonic nature for sale. If interested contact me.

Sailer2002 · Post by **Sailer2002** » 18 Mar 2014 00:55

May 12 1932 Dedication of the Masonic National Memorial At Alexandria VA

amprantino · Post by **amprantino** » 18 Mar 2014 08:22

Its interesting topic!
It may be used as a thematic collection of these stamps

chriskenny1983 · Post by **chriskenny1983** » 28 Mar 2014 01:23

This image is manipulated to show the watermarked masonic paper - with a ship in the center of a lifebuoy.

Thanks
Regards
Chriskenny1983

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 30 Apr 2014 10:06

Hi There,

This is my first post after my initial compulsory post and to be honest I'm struggling how to navigate the stampboards forum.

I still haven't worked out to reply to all the kind welcoming posts i received, either.

Anyway enough about my problems.

I noticed a couple of masonic posts made reference to the 2011 India stamps of which I've got a block of 4 and a first day cover which arrived this week, what I didn't know was that there were other Indian masonic stamps as someone mentioned, so I'd appreciate any help with identifying them.

I've also got a few other masonic blocks of 4 and was wondering why they came in 4s rather than being sold as individual stamps? I only bought them because i looked the like of 4 rather than one and they seemed better value for money, ie not 4 times the cost of the individual stamp.

I've got many more questions but think that these two will do for now until I get the hang of posts and replying etc.

Cheers...

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 30 Apr 2014 23:50

I can tell you that the Indian Masonic stamp was also available in full sheets.

As for other Indian stamps I have the following freemasons so far on list (Scott #s). Feel free to checkout my Masonic Stamp Newsletter at: http://bytown.ottawamasons.ca//Stamp.html

Dunant Henri 291 A120 1957
Jeejeebhoy Sir Jamshedjee 324 A131 1959
Nehru Pandit Motilal 340 A146 1961
Tagore Rabindranath 341 A147 1961
Vivekananda Swami (Narendranath Dutta) 370 A170 1962
Dunant Henri 372 A172 1963
Naoroji Dadabhoy 376 A174 1963
Besant Annie 377 A175 1963
Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli 454 A236 1967
Gorky Maxim 465 A247 1968
Beethoven Ludwig van 529 A305 1970
Tagore Rabindranath 549 A324 1971
Symbolism Plumbline 552 A327 1972
Ranjitsinhji Kumar Shri 591 A361 1973
Ahmed Fakhruddin Ali 752 A464 1977
Chand Dhyand 822 A568 1980
Mountbatten Earl of Burma 872 A558 1980
Stephan Heinrich von 902 A578 1981
Roosevelt Franklin D. 1008 A626 1983
Bolivar Simon 1021 A637 1983
Tagore Rabindranath 1157 A738 1987
Devi Arundale Mrs. Rukmini 1196 A767 1987
Kher Dr. Balasaheb Gangdadhar 1269 A639 1983
Ataturk Mustafa Kemal 1288 A839 1989
Radhakrishnan Sarvepalli 1289 A840 1989
Mozart Wolfgang A 1391 A915 1991
Naoroji Dadabhoy 1453 A957 1993
Vivekananda Swami (Narendranath Dutta) 1454 A958 1993
Tata J.R.D. 1499 A995 1994
Mehta Sir Pherozeshah 1575 A1053 1996
Marti Jose 1596 A1073 1997

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 01 May 2014 00:12

In 1942, Serbia under Nazi Germany occupation issued a set of 4 stamps to publicize the Anti-Masonic exhibition held in Belgrade. The stamps designs are anti-Communist and anti-Semites.

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 01 May 2014 05:40

Thank you Redcoat,

I've now read a couple of your Ottawa newsletters and they make for good reading. The WWI piece was particularly poignant.

It also looks like that I've got a few more Indian masonic stamps to collect, so thanks again for your help.

I wonder if it's easier to list the countries who have issued masonic themed stamps or those that haven't?

In reply to Eli,

I purchased these four 1941 anti-masonic stamps last weekend and am currently awaiting their delivery from Belgrade.

As far as I can tell, the 1+1, 4+4 and 050+050 stamps are both anti masonic and anti semitic and the 2+2 stamp is anti communist, only.

I do find it odd that my chosen topic of stamp theme is not related to either World Wars and yet my first two replies on Stampboards reference both of them. Fascinating and thanks again for your comments....

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 01 May 2014 10:28

Gulliver,

Check out my article on the Serbian Stamps in the March 2013 issue of the Watermark.

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 02 May 2014 05:08

The 4+4 stamp shows a Serbian ruins two pillars with the letters "J" on one of them and "B" on the second. If I am not wrong, the J stands for Jude (Jew) and the B stands for Bolshevik. But I can be wrong.

revenuecollector · Post by **revenuecollector** » 02 May 2014 06:18

Not a masonic stamp per se, but it *IS* masonic, and is philatelic in nature, albeit fiscal. A wonderful bicolor document with an embossed cancel/seal that is absolutely hammered.

Closeup of revenue stamp and embossed seal:

Just the seal:

Text from the back of the document:

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 02 May 2014 12:48

That is a really need item. Thanks for the great photos.

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 02 May 2014 12:50

Eli,

The J & B refer to Jachin and Boaz

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 02 May 2014 15:03

Redcoat wrote:Eli,

The J & B refer to Jachin and Boaz

Redcoat,

Thanks for the correction. Interesting that the Nazis used element from the Temple of Jerusalem (and from Synagogues). How can I see your article about the Serbian stamps? is it online or is it an article to members of some philatelic association?

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 02 May 2014 21:34

Eli you can read the article in the March 2013 issue of the Watermark at
http://bytown.ottawamasons.ca//Stamp.html

Eli · Post by **Eli** » 03 May 2014 03:33

Redcoat,

Thanks for the links. I just read the article about the Serbian stamps and learn a lot from it. Thanks for a well written article.

I didn't know there are many Masonic stamps in the world and after reading the article I searched for Israeli Masonic stamps but didn't find. All I found are three postmarks issued by Israeli post:

1993 - 40th anniversary of the Grand Lodge:

http://62.90.138.233/blogim/poststamps/images/%7b3C887B2D-2BED-4339-B598-BA20C74C6EC3%7d.jpg

1994 - Supreme Grand Royal arch chapter of the State of Israel:

http://62.90.138.233/blogim/poststamps/images/%7bB30F92B4-E6A4-4944-B9BD-4E50AA6AB434%7d.jpg

The third is a postmark from 2013, but I see that it appears in October 2013 issue of Watermark.

Thanks again for the article.
Eli

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 03 May 2014 08:36

Redcoat,

Great Serbian WW2 articles, thganks.
It will take me a while to read through the other Watermark newsletters, but they're all good stuff.

Eli,

I read somewhere that there was only around 180 masonic stamps worldwide but this doesn't seem that many to me.

Is there a definitive list of stamps showing masonic symbolism and/or famous freemasons?

I've noticed a 85 page 1964 booklet listing stamps with prominent masons for sale on EBay. Item id: 161167636969

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 03 May 2014 08:54

It depends on your definition of pure Masonic stamps, because my list is 232.

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 03 May 2014 09:06

Joedaniel,

Like you I am interested in all things masonic and stamp related, including first day covers, famous freemasons and masonic symbolism.

I've being trying to locate a definitive list of masonic stamps with no success and was wondering if you or anyone else had an idea?

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 03 May 2014 18:11

Redcoat,

That's a very good point, how do you define a stamp as being masonic?
I would imagine that they could be listed as follows, and please remember that I've been stamp collecting for all of two months now, so am by no means an expert:

1.Stamps with masonic wording and symbolism,
2.Stamps showing famous freemasons with masonic symbolism,
3.Stamps showing famous freemasons without masonic symbolism,

What do you think and have you collected all of your 222?

Would you mind sharing your list as mine is only upto around 80 and I only have half of these?

amprantino · Post by **amprantino** » 03 May 2014 19:04

Redcoat wrote:Eli you can read the article in the March 2013 issue of the Watermark at
http://bytown.ottawamasons.ca//Stamp.html

There are no 2014 releases?
This is the best reference I have found for newly released stamps

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 03 May 2014 23:33

Bulgaria released a new pure Masonic stamp on April 15th 2014.

You should subscribe to the "Philatelic Freemason". The editor Robert Dominigue has been publishing the bi-monthly newsletter for years.

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 04 May 2014 00:00

The new Bulgarian stamp can be seen on Ebay or Delcamp

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 04 May 2014 10:18

This is an open appeal to all.

I'm trying to get my hands on a definative list of masonic related stamps.

I think that I purchased the 2014 Bulgarian sheet today from eBay but would like to tick it off a list, if one existed.

Any help or advice would br greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Redcoat · Post by **Redcoat** » 04 May 2014 13:27

Guliver, seeing as you are in England, you might want to consider joining the "Masonic Philatelic Club".

Their web site is at http://www.masonicphilatelicclub.org.uk

Guliver1726 · Post by **Guliver1726** » 04 May 2014 19:17

Redcoat,

It's on my "to do list" to become a member of the masonic philatelic club and thanks for the link.

I now realise that asking other stamp collectors to share there collection lists isn't the done thing. Apologies.

Does any of you watermark publications refer to the King George VI 1946 stamp, which could be considered the only English masonic stamp?

I ask as I have read conflicting versions of what the stamp symbolises and it is the stamp that got me started collecting.