Gift for an 85 yeard old Freemason

February 24, 2007 4:10 AM

What do you get a Freemason for a gift? My Grandfather will be celebrating 60 years as a Freemason, they will be holding a Gala event in his name hosted by 4 different lodges, that I can not attend. Thanks
posted by askmatrix to Shopping (9 answers total)

Revolutionary Brotherhood, by Steven C. Bullock was a good book on Freemasonry that I quite liked. If you can track it down he might like to read it.

Failing that, what's wrong with a really expensive bottle of wine? I understand you want to equate his achievement with his gift, but c'mon... who doesn't like excellent wine on a day of celebration?
posted by Effigy2000 at 5:22 AM on February 24, 2007

A lapel Pin could be an idea, but (paraphrasing the Mason's recruiting poster) 'to know one- ask one'... Ask one of his Masonic buddies. Masons are big on symbolism, history etc. IANAM, but my father was, and they are pretty specific about what symbols can be used depending on one's status in the lodge.
posted by Gungho at 6:18 AM on February 24, 2007

I am a mason, and if he has been around 60 years and attracted this kind of reverence he probably has more masonic regalia than he knows what to do with.

Frankly, a lot of masonic gifts are cheap/tasteless.

I would suggest a bottle of 18 year old Scotch as gift, or some kind of framed photo of him standing with his lodge - perhaps with an engraving mentioning the dates he was initiated/passed/raised (you can get this from the secretary of his Grand Lodge - they will be in the phone book or have a web site). The secretary might help you track down this photo too. "Born in Blood" is another good masonic book.

I've also noticed you are a man, over the age of 18, and work in a profession which suggestions you have been of good conduct. You could honour him by taking up the craft if you have not already done so.
posted by Deep Dish at 8:39 AM on February 24, 2007

umberto eco's "foucault's pendulum". after i finished it, i never wanted to hear about masons, rosicrucians or knights templar ever again.
posted by bruce at 9:07 AM on February 24, 2007

Wow you actually finished that book. I got so bored I tried reading it twice...

On preview, perhaps Masonic regalia is a bit 'more of the same'. I like the idea of a framed photo. Could you hire someone to go that evening and take the snaps?
posted by Gungho at 9:27 AM on February 24, 2007

On the book front, I would also mention Avram Davidson's Masters Of The Maze. This picture of an 1876 cufflink from the site linked above suggests another possibility: buying some vintage Masonic regalia at an antique store.
posted by y2karl at 9:48 AM on February 24, 2007

How about someone to play the bagpipes at the event? Or, alternatively, you could get him a nice piece of matthew barney art. yeah, don't really do that. But music might be nice.
posted by Eringatang at 6:12 PM on February 24, 2007

What do you get a Freemason for a gift?

Don't the Illuminati/Freemasons already own and run everything in the world?

Bah dum bump, khssss. Thanks, I'll be here all week.
posted by frogan at 6:41 PM on February 24, 2007 [1 favorite]

Yep, all those masons will know what is best in the way of mason gifts. So give him something grandson-y.

I don't see the need for you to give him any expensive gift for this sort of occasion. If you feel bad because you can't get to the party, a firm date when he will see you seems a good offering. To add something to the celebration, a hand-made card featuring things personal to him should work.
posted by Idcoytco at 1:03 AM on February 25, 2007