American Historical Ephemera and Photography

PIKE, Albert. Membership certificate signed ("Albert Pike") as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, identifying James Wesley Millis (1830-1885) as an "Inspector General Honorary of the 33 Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite...." N.p., 23 February 1885. 14 x 13 3/4 in. -- A printed 3pp obituary for James Wesley Millis published by the "Orient of Washington, [D.C.] / September 9th, 1885" and with printed signature "Albert Pike, 33°, Grand Commander." 5 1/4 x 8 in. -- A Masonic business card bearing the Scottish Rite's symbol, the double-headed eagle, and the name "J.W. Millis, 33° / Ogden, Utah." -- Two cabinet cards, one identified in pencil on verso as "James Wesley Millis...This picture was taken about a year before his death." The second card featuring an image of Albert Pike in Masonic regalia, with handwritten inscription below image, likely in Pike's hand, "To Mrs James W. Millis / 1s Feby 1886." Followed by "from / Albert Pike." Pike's signature appears to be original.

[With:] Other items, original to the grouping but not specifically identified to either Pike or Millis, include: a brown leather document holder, approx. 14 1/2 x 6 1/4 in. when flat, with handle, two adjoined leather fastening straps made with buckle closures, and monogram at center "MAP" [Master Albert Pike?]. Interior stamped "Leather Harness Co. / Boston / Made in England." -- White leather Masonic apron, approx. 14 x 12 1/2 in. with rope and tassels intact; a second leather apron, approx. 12 x 12 in. -- A group of two Souvenir Courtesy Books from "Masonic Day" Golden Gate International Exposition, San Francisco, 11 October 1939 and two "Masonic Day" ribbons from the same event; a string-tied program from the "Reception and Ball to the Grand Officers and Members of the Grand Chapter Order Eastern Star," San Francisco, California, 19 October 1909; a "Master Masons Diploma" issued to Henry Halstead of the W. Grand Lodge of Virginia, folded and housed in a pocket-sized leather document holder; and "The Los Angeles Free Mason and Scottish Rite Review," Vol. 15, No. II, August 1911. Published by Henry J. Lloyd, Los Angeles, California; and a Missouri Pacific Railway Pass identified to "L.V. Morse Esq." [ca 1877]."

[Also with:] CHASE, Jackson H. The Text Book of Cryptic Masonry. A Manual of Instructions in the Degrees of Royal Master, Select Master and Super Excellent Master. Together with the Ceremonies of Installing Officers, Constituting and Dedicating a Council, and Installing the Officers.... New York: Masonic Publishing Company, 63 Bleecker Street, 1870. 94pp. Purple cloth, gilt stamped "Council Monitor." -- DRUMMOND, Josiah H. The Maine Masonic Text Book, for the Use of Lodges. Portland: Dresser, McLellan & Co., 1880. Second Edition. Blue leather. Gilt title.

Together, 18 items.

Former Confederate General Albert Pike served as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction from 1859-1891. While his military service as a Confederate States Army General is a widely recognized part of his biography, less widely-known is that Pike was a highly effective lawyer, a journalist, a published poet, an orator, and a prominent member of the Freemasons. Pike wrote and in 1871 published an 850+pp book, Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, a philosophical work providing a framework for understanding religions and philosophies of the past. During his more than thirty years as Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, Pike was a towering figure in the Freemasons. The origin of his relationship with James Wesley Millis, a lifelong railroad man, is described in the printed obituary that accompanies the lot, with Pike stating that he had met Millis for the first time a few weeks prior to Millis's death. Pike writes: "Upon meeting him, and seeing him in his house and among his friends, you knew at once that he was one of those men, energetic and persevering, ... of sterling worth and large experience and information...fearless, generous, and with all the high principle and instincts of the courteous and considerate gentleman."