Rare 1851 Ladies Masonry Hieroglyphic Monitor William Leigh Masonic Ritual Book for Sale

Rare 1851 Ladies Masonry Hieroglyphic Monitor William Leigh Masonic Ritual Book For Sale

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Rare 1851 Ladies Masonry Hieroglyphic Monitor William Leigh Masonic Ritual Book:
$180.00

Up for purchase is an exceptionally rare piece of American fraternal history: "The Ladies' Masonry, or, Hieroglyphic Monitor" written by Past Grand Master William Leigh of Alabama, published in 1851.This pocket-sized manual serves as one of the earliest documented ritual books for female "Adoptive" Masonry in the United States, providing a critical historical bridge to what would eventually become the Order of the Eastern Star (OES).The book outlines the lectures, symbols, scriptural context, and secret work for early androgynous degrees, most notably featuring dedicated sections for:
- The Heroine of Jericho
- The Holy Virgin (Degree of Honour)Key Features & Illustrative Plates:
This volume is highly prized for its beautiful, detailed woodcut engravings. It includes scarce plates illustrating secret fraternal signs, tokens, configurations, and organizational symbols (including the triangular and circular symbolic keys), alongside narrative depictions for the candidate degrees. The engraving work remains sharp and visually compelling.Condition Report:
This is an authentic, mid-19th-century antiquarian volume showing honest wear from its historic use:
- Interior: The pages are stable, text blocks are complete, and the woodcut illustrations remain clean, bold, and highly legible. Light foxing and expected age toning are present throughout.
- Binding/Cover: The dark brown textured cloth boards feature their original embossed ornamental scrolling and gold-gilt title lettering on the front cover.
- Spine: The spine exhibits significant material loss, chipping, and wear along the hinges, exposing the underlying binding structure. The covers remain attached but should be handled with care.This is a premier addition for any serious collector of Masonic history, secret society rituals, or early American women's history.Please review all photos carefully to assess condition details before purchasing. Related Items: