|
 Where art
thou my brother? This is an exceptionally good question leading
into my narrative about fraternal carnival glassware. I decided
to put pen to paper after viewing an old black and white Masonic
convention photo coupled with my recent purchase of a Shriner’s
convention toothpick holder. I wish I knew the whereabouts of
one or more of those remaining odd fellows who attended early
20th century Shriner’s and Templar’s conventions.
When we speak of fraternal glassware, the known catalogued
items that frequently come to mind are the U.S. Glass Shriner’s
Champagne glasses, the Northwood Dandelion Templar mugs and the
U.S. Glass Shrine Sheath of Wheat toothpick holder.
Click images below for larger
versions.
For a moment, let us reflect on those past fraternal
conventions and focus on their time and place in history. The
time is 1908. There are few if any cars on the road and
virtually no modern paved highways. Commercial air travel does
not exist. Yet, hundreds if not thousands of men incur great
personal expense and travel to distant cities attending regional
or national Masonic conventions. Their mode of travel is most
likely by train. Hence, when we examine fraternal glassware
items we note the conventions are held in major east coast and
Midwest cities served by train, the only viable means of long
distance transportation.
My examination of black and white Masonic convention photos
shows men in formal attire, seated at long white linen covered
tables listening to speeches, enjoying a fine meal and most
likely savoring a cigar and liquid libations as well. Eat, drink
and be merry!
I remain quite pleased with my Shriner toothpick holder (see
photo). This toothpick holder IS NOT the one we see pictured in
Edward’s Encyclopedia of Carnival Glass, This toothpick holder
is entirely different. Dated 1908, I confidently consider it to
be a U.S. Glass product, light amethyst glass in color ( ruby
flash body) with gold gilding treatment on the wheat sheath and
lettering. The toothpick lists Syria Temple of Pittsburgh, and
St. Paul plus four names, Brown, Motheral, Moore and Robinson. I
procured it from the Mickey Reichel Auction Service.
I have inspected the toothpick holder several times. One day,
while I had my nose pressed firmly against the glass of my bow
front china cabinet gazing at my prized carnival possessions, it
dawned on me that these carnival toothpick holders (as we refer
to them) are most likely whiskey or cordial shot glasses. I will
tell you why.
Contemplate this thought. Would you travel hundreds of miles
by train, wear a tuxedo and incur the costs of a convention only
to take a toothpick holder home as a souvenir gift? I think not.
The toothpick scenario sounds good if alcohol temperance IS
practiced in your household or if you wish to make a good
impression on the wife. I will elaborate with this following
text. Hi Honey, I’m glad to be home from the Pittsburgh
convention. I missed you. Smooch! I even brought you a toothpick
holder home as a gift (the man had better have a flower bouquet
to go with it.) All I can say is that the “toothpick holder”
probably was filled several times over with hard liquor! Please
remember that this was the time well before Prohibition.
To reaffirm the above, I spoke to several Shriner’s
participating in a Memorial Day parade last month. I asked them
what they thought of my shot glass hypothesis. With good natured
humor, they informed me that there was no such thing as a
Shriner’s toothpick holder. All vessels made for THEIR
conventions were designed to hold camel’s milk, whatever that
means. These secret society riddles and mysteries confound me.
What is the secret or hidden meaning behind these scarce Masonic
glassware items? Only time will tell. Possibly, I will travel to
Europe next year and take a ride on the Orient Express to find
out more. There are so many unanswered questions remaining in my
quest for true carnival knowledge.
In the interim, good hunting on the “mystical” carnival glass
trail wherever it leads you.
Gerald Thomas
Copyright 2008, Gerald Thomas. All Rights
Reserved. |
