ANDERSON (James). The New book of Constitutions of the antie - Lot 33

ANDERSON (James). The New book of Constitutions of the antient and honourable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons. Containing their history, charges, regulations, &c. Collected and digested by order of the Grand Lodge from their old records, faithful traditions and Lodge-books, for the use of the Lodges. London, printed for Brothers Cæsar Ward and Richard Chandler, 1738. In the vulgar year of Masonry 5738. In-4, granite-brown calf, spine ribbed with black title-piece, double gilt fillet framing the boards, speckled edges (period binding). x-(2)-230-(2) pp. including title printed in red and black; spine rebound, corners restored; frontispiece rebacked with small marginal damage to engraving. ILLUSTRATION OF 3 ENGRAVED COVERS by John Pine: out-of-text frontispiece, probably after James Thornhill's drawing, depicting the Duke of Montagu offering the present Constitutions to his successor the Duke of Wharton, each accompanied by his Grand Officers, among whom the figure on the far right dressed in ecclesiastical vestments is probably Jean-Théophile Desaguliers. - Coat of arms of the Prince of Wales Frédéric-Louis (who was initiated into Freemasonry by Jean-Théophile Desaguliers), adorning the first dedication page in the text. - A scene depicting Hiram unveiling the plan of the Temple to King Solomon, accompanied by the coat of arms of the Grand Master, the Marquis of Carnarvon. Second edition of the Constitutions of 1723, given by James Anderson himself, augmented by the acts of the Lodge up to 1738, and published with the approval of the Grand Master - although the alterations made to the text, particularly in the "Old Charges", attracted criticism. Provenance: C. Thomas (19th-century bookplate).