The Masons and many offshoots have been in the U.S. for over 300 years. The amount of good they do in society and the community is immeasurable. Once called a secret society, almost every man of means had to be involved in
his local Masonic chapter. Masonic collectibles, like many collectibles, are a little soft price-wise these days, but still occasionally things walk in that are extraordinary.
Many of these gems, jewels, fobs and swords are engraved with the owner’s name and typically, when doing a cursory search, you will find the original owner is a man of means and sometimes famous in his community. Last week, North Carolina jeweler sent us two of the most extraordinary Masonic fobs or jewels we have ever seen. They were owned by John A. Fairchild, who was a confederate sympathizer and early California landowner who befriended the Modok Indian tribe and kept peace with them for many years. Later, when the infamous Captain Jack, a noted Native American chief, became embroiled in the lengthy Modok Wars, Captain Jack decided to surrender but only to his friend John Fairchild, because he knew he would be fair.
Some Extraordinary Items From A 32nd Degree Mason
The earlier jewel is from Yreka, California and is extraordinary because it shows the cattle on one side. We paid three times the gold value at $800. The second is a later 32nd degree Masonic Jewel that is the largest we’ve ever seen. It is made of platinum and 14-karat gold and has a three quarter carat old European-cut diamond. Similar smaller 32nd degree Masonic jewels typically bring $50 to $250, but because of the massive weight, platinum and large diamond, we paid $2,000. Also pictured is a Masonic watch that we paid over $2,000 for.
Go ahead. Google us. Three former sothebys.com associates and two art
historians on staff. You read about us in the Wall Street Journal, The New York
Times and Fortune magazine. Do you have valuable jewels or collectibles for sale?
Contact us! We have sold the contents of museums and collections for USF.
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This is an archival article formerly written and is for informational purposes only. The valuations in this article have likely changed since it was first written.
