Book Description

This extensive bibliography is based on the international Masonic holdings in the library of the Supreme Council, Southern Jurisdiction of the USA. It represents an important cross section of Masonic literature obtained by the Supreme Council from about 89 countries worldwide and covers a historic period of about three centuries. Anderson's Constitutions, the first book to discuss activities of the Fraternity, was published in 1723. Since that time interest in Freemasonry has developed and emerged on a worldwide scale. The House of the Temple's International Masonic Collection now contains over 8,000 volumes written in 25 languages. The bibliography is illustrated with more than 1,000 images which graphically depict major classic themes in Masonic symbolism. Begun at the initiative of Grand Commander Albert Pike in the mid-nineteenth century, it now covers over one hundred years of acquisition effort. The geographic scope of this bibliography, along with historic period of literary coverage provides unique insight into the nature, substance, and evolution of Masonic philosophy of at least eight generations of Masonic authors worldwide. More important, it is the first time in the history of American bibliography that the international Masonic fraternity is documented in context as the oldest universal brotherhood. Thus, it is a fundamental extension to the two previous Masonic catalogs published by this experienced author. We are pleased to announce that this is the third "must-have" catalog for Masonic libraries, collectors, and students of Masonic literature. Co-published with the Library of the Supreme Council.Larissa P. Watkins is Assistant to the Librarian at the Library of the Supreme Council in Washington, D.C. Educated in the Russian Federation as a journalist and librarian, she holds an honors degree in Library Science from the Cultural Sciences Institute of Higher Learning in Ussurisk, Primorskiy Krai, and was Director of Acquisition and Automation at the State Scientific Library in the Maritime Provinces in Vladivostok.