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          NORTH AMERICA'S "MOST MASONIC" POSTAGE
          STAMPS
          The Blue Friar Lecture of 1995
          by
          Christopher L. Murphy
          
          Masonic Philately, or the collecting of postage stamps that
          may be associated with the Masonic Order, goes back to the
          early 1930's. Since that time, hundreds of United States and
          Canadian stamps have been identified as having Masonic
          connections. 
          For convenience, these Masonic stamps, as it were, are
          classified as follows:
           
          CLASS 1. Stamps issued for a Masonic purpose
          CLASS 2. Stamps showing a person who was (or is) a
          Freemason
          CLASS 3. Stamps showing objects directly connected with a
          Freemason
          CLASS 4. Stamps commemorating events in which a
          Freemason played a major role
          CLASS 5. Stamps designed by a Freemason
          CLASS 6. Stamps inadvertently showing Masonic symbols
           
          Unfortunately, neither the United States nor Canada has
          issued a Class 1 Masonic stamp. Many other countries,
          however, have issued them, as shown by the adjacent
          Philippine example. And these stamps are highly prized by
          Masonic collectors. 
          Masonic collectors in North America, therefore, who wish to
          specialize on their own countries' stamps, must be content
          with stamps that fall into Classes 2 to 6. Nevertheless, this
          condition makes one look harder for applicable stamps and
          some highly unusual Masonic connections have surfaced.
          From my studies, there are nine stamps that top the list. 
          1. A Newfoundland stamp issued in 1857 is designed after a
          Royal Arch Masonic apron. The apron belonged to Brother
          Thomas Dundas, the second Earl of Zetland, who was
          Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England from 1844 to
          1870. 
          2. A Newfoundland stamp issued in 1910 shows King James
          I who arranged for the English translation of the bible, which
          we all know as the King James Version. There is evidence
          James I was a member of the "Lodge of Scoon and Perth" in
          Scotland. Our Masonic Bibles are the King James version so
          every North American lodge has this brother's name within
          its walls. 
          3. A United States stamp issued in 1939 shows the
          inauguration of Brother George Washington as first president
          of the United States. Brother Washington is taking his oath
          on a Masonic Bible which belongs to St. John's Lodge No. 1,
          New York City. How this Bible found its way to the
          inauguration has become a matter for romantic speculation.
          There is no question, however, that it was the Bible used.
          The stamp itself, was petitioned by the Masonic Stamp Club
          of New York in 1938. At that time Brother Franklin D.
          Roosevelt was president of the United States and also a
          Masonic Stamp Club member.
          4. A United States stamp issued in 1928 shows Brother
          George Washington kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. The
          Masonic association with this act is very strong as all
          Freemasons realize. The stamp design was selected by
          Brother Roger S. Regar who was with the post office at that
          time and who later served as the Grand Master of the Grand
          Lodge of the District of Columbia.
          5. Canada's first postage stamp issued in 1851 was
          designed by Brother Sandford Fleming. The stamp shows a
          rising sun in the background which has a sun face, a well
          known Masonic symbol.
          6. A United States stamp issued in 1932 showing Brother
          George Washington was designed from a pastel portrait of
          Washington wearing Masonic Royal Arch regalia. The
          portrait, which belongs to Alexandria Lodge in Virginia, was
          created from life by W. Williams. The stamp designers
          omitted the regalia in the stamp design. Nevertheless, the
          United States Post Office acknowledges the source of the
          design. 7. A United States stamp issued in 1985 shows
          Brother Frederick Auguste Bartholdi with his creation, the
          Statue of Liberty, in the background. This stamp is unusual
          because it cuts across two Masonic stamp classifications.
          8. A United States stamp issued in 1974 shows Brother
          Harry S. Truman, 33	 president of the United States. Brother
          Truman is the only Mason shown on a North American
          stamp who was a Knight Templar, 33rd Degree A.A.S.R.
          Mason and a past grand master.
          9. The United States first postage stamp, issued in 1847
          shows Brother Benjamin Franklin who did more for
          Freemasonry in America than any other individual. It is
          unlikely the brethren who started Masonic philately realized
          just how many famous Freemasons there were in North
          America, let alone how deeply Masonic tradition and ideals
          are etched into our history. Masonic philatelist in both the
          United States and Canada continue to uncover little "stamp
          secrets," which I am certain will soon swell the list of the
          "Most Masonic" and provide us with yet further insights into
          our past. 