Universe

Brethren,

How many of you out there collect DeMolay regalia, not just you own, but antiques purchased from ebay, etc?

I do, and one of my objectives it to collect examples of every type of Merit Bar DeMolay has ever issued. If I get that done, then maybe I'll work on all the color variations, etc.

Now, having been forced to buy big collections of antique bars in order to obtain perhaps one bar I needed, I have quite a few available, including duplicates of some of the rare types now long discontinued.

Did you know that "Fine Arts" replaced the Music, Band, Orchestra, Patrol, AND Dramatics catagories?

I presently have duplicates of some of these like Music, Band, and Patrol. I also have duplicates of catagories that still active, but in the "old" colors that are not now available, like green Ritual bars, etc.

I still need "Church" (which changed to "Religion") and "Builder".

If anyone has duplicates of "Church" or "Builder" bars, and needs Patrol, Music, or Band, perhaps we can arrange a fair "Swap" and save ourselves a lot of money?

Please contact me by the BBS's Private Message feature if you wish to arrange a trade.

Respectfully and Fraternally,

Dale

PS. I also collect DeMolay Pins from US and Foreign Jurisdictions, and even Chapter Pins where they exist. I will trade Florida DeMolay Pins for yours, or we can discuss what duplicates I have that you might need.

Anyone collecting Regalia, Documents, or any other DeMolayana, feel free to post on this thread.

Way too much of our history has already gone into landfills or other places where it is forever lost.

You might get lucky and find someone who has duplicates or is getting rid of estate materials that they don't want to keep. That's where all the "stuff" on Ebay is coming from.

Better in the hands of someone who will treasure them than in the local landfill.

S&F
Dale

Well I myself am only 2 years into DeMolay, and at the age of 18 that pretty much sucks because I missed many years of what could have been a more productive youth. Anyways, I myself have been looking for some cutsom made DeMolay rings. I am trying to find these for I know the masons have thousands of different and interesting designs and I am wanting to collect all that are of DeMolay.

I don't know what it is but DeMolay rings are just so cool. Anyways I search the web every few times a month and check ebay from time to time... but being that I am in Canada I am pretty much limited to Canadian deals when it comes to DeMolay regalia and things of such sort.

I found a really strange looking Shriners necklace once. It wasn't a collar or anything like that, it was made of a cheap plastic and I think it was probably a promotional item. I've also noticed that some of the really old Chev cords are slightly different from the ones I got when I had the degree conferred on me. One of my chapter advisors is in charge of collecting the old stuff from dark chapters and we have found alot of cool stuff from that. We have a DeMolay themed dart board and there is a poster that looks like its from the mid 60s of a superhero in a demolay themed costume standing on the moon. I've also seen some of the original recruiting posters from the early 20s and a Pete Rose autographed baseball that was written to a chapter.

I have a question for you Dale about the regailia... or something to that point. In my on going search for some cool DeMolay swag I can across a DeMolay belt buckle that had the emblem from the 60's on it I think and on the back there was lines to have you name, chapter, id number and so for engraved on the back. Since you the most knowledged person I know of DeMolay from the states I would just like to know if this is a custom Item or if they were made for all DeMolay back sometime ago.

I am really looking for one as I am opening a chapter up here in Alberta Canada and I think I would be a great... opening... gift to all the origional members of the chapter.

Thanks in advance

Christian R.J. MacNeill
Future Master Councilor of Infinity Chapter of Alberta

Brother Chris,

I have seen many items offered to the membership through the DeMolay and More Store and its predecessors, over the years.

I imagine this was once a standard item, but it is now definately a collector's item.

Please keep us informed on the progress of Infinity Chapter. BTW, I own (via ebay) an HLOH which was in the estate of a PGM of Masons from Alberta. Sorry but I don't know his name.

Dale

I can't say I know what an HLOH... would you mind inlightening me. I just lost a nice ring for a Jobie friend of mine that I had in mind as a present The ring and I am a bit peeved but guess someone else wanted it more.

BRo. Chris,

The HLOH is the Honorary Legion of Honor, given to a Mason who was not a DeMolay, in recognition of support and assistance to DeMolay.

The LOH is the Active Legion of Honor, and is the highest honor a Senior DeMolay can recieve for service to humanity.

The Chevalier Degree (or Chev) is available to either Active or Senior DeMolays as the highest honor for Service to DeMolay.

Dale

I got it now... I don't go by the aconyms I thinks they are called I just go by the actual name. And I guess I just have to keep an eye open but since I am just a member... can't much get any PMC or Chev doomahickies can I?

Over the past couple of years, a lot of antique DeMolay jewelry and regalia has been sold on ebay, where old time Senior DeMolay or Advisors are dying and their family doesn't want the stuff, so they sell it to dealers who market it on the web.

Lots of great stuff has come and gone, including PMC pins and jewels from the 1920s and 30s, etc. I also acquired an old Chevalier Medallion as part of a "lot" of things that I bought to get something else.

Dale

Those 1920's hats are often selling on ebay for over $100.00. It depends on the condition, among other things.

Like anything else, an item is worth what someone will pay for it, but in an open forum like ebay, you generally get more than you would on a yard sale table...often a lot more.

If that hat is in good condition, as it probably is since it was still in it's bag, it and the bag could easily be worth $100 or more.

I know a number of Senior DeMolays, including some Past Grand Masters of DeMolay, cruise ebay looking for old DeMolay regalia on a regular basis.

Dale

If you check your local phonebook, you will find a local company that will specialize in helping folks sell stuff on eBay. Usually they are "online auction specialists" or "online sellers".

They will take the pictures, post the auction, take care of receiving payment, and shipping the merchandise once it is all over.

Obviously, they take a percentage or service fee to cover their operations - but for someone like you, who has no experience at all this, it may be your best and quickest resource.

Dad Ron Blaisdell
Florida

Greetings,

I am not a collector, but very much interested in the history of the Order. I have been searching for pictures of the old Founder's Cross that Frank S. Land personally awarded to early supporters of the DeMolay.

If anyone has an image, or a link to where I can find this, I would be very grateful. I would be very interested in finding a list of the recipient's, and some description as to what the recipient did to warrant the personal award from Frank S. Land.

Fraternally,

Myron Crum

Village Chapter, Miami, FL
Summer Ave Chapter, Memphis , TN
Florida Knighthood Priory
Hagerstown Chapter, Hagerstown, MD
Hawaiian Chapter, Honolulu, HI
CHEV, LOH

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyronECrum,

The only online picture of the FC that I know of can be found on the Albert Pike Chapter (TX) web site:
http://albertpikedemolay.org/history/fcross.html

I believe that the Service and Leadership Center has the most complete list of recipients - but as this was a personal award that Dad Land presented - don't expect too many details on why they earned it.

The FC was no longer awarded after Dad Land's death.

Dad Ron Blaisdell
AEO, Florida DeMolay

quote:

Originally posted by Dale Dietzman:
The HLOH is the Honorary Legion of Honor, given to a Mason who was not a DeMolay, in recognition of support and assistance to DeMolay.

I know it's off topic, but, no offense, Dad Dietzman, HLOH is not necessarily given for DeMolay support or assistance. The only difference between HLOH & LOH is that you must be a Non-Senior DeMolay Master Mason for HLOH and a Senior DeMolay for ALOH. Otherwise the criteria is the same.

I know several Masons that have received HLOH that aren't active supporters of DeMolay. They are, instead, outstanding in some field of Masonic, Civic, Religious or Political service.

Anyway, good luck to all on your DeMolay Archeology!

Dad Rusty Pratt
Past Chapter Advisor,
Round Table Chapter of Ottawa, Illinois
Deputy Member, DeMolay International

Hi Dad Pratt,

I am aware that ISC/DI has broadened the definition of the HLOH to include such vague requirements as "success in fraternal life" but I, being an old dinosaur, tend stick by our Founder's definition.

According to Dad Land, the HLOH was given for active support of DeMolay by a Mason who was not a Senior DeMolay. This is from his own writings, both published and unpublished. Looking at the published numbers, the HLOH was very hard to come by during Dad Land's lifetime.
I believe that is why the regalia was originally a minature LOH Cross on a white suspension ribbon.

And, by and large, from what I have seen, the vast majority of them still are awarded for DeMolay Service. Which is how it should be, IMO.

Brother Crum,

On the subject of the Founder's Cross, only 135 were awarded. The only one of the Original Nine DeMolays to recieve one was Gorman McBride. His jewel is the one in the Museum at Headquarters in KC. And somewhere at home I have the name of the first recipient. That only leaves 133 to go.

I believe that each one was awarded for different reasons, but for what amounted to a "Lifetime of DeMolay Service, Above and Beyond the Call of Duty".

Dad Dale Dietzman
State Chapter Dad, Florida DeMolay
Honorary Member, DeMolay International

Thanks to all for the response.

I was aware of the distinction being a personal award, and roughly the number that were awarded. The link to the Albert Pike website did provide the photo I was looking for, so that was helpful. Thank you very much.

The reason I am interested in the list of recipients, and the service behind the award is because I think it would have to reflect some of the growth of DeMolay during those early years. I could only imagine, but I would think that the awards would have gone to people who played a significant role in spreading the Order, and it would be fascinating reading.

Thanks again for the references, and comments.

Myron E. Crum

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MyronECrum,

A few years ago my father found a certificate signed by Dad Land on March 10, 1938 given to my great-uncle George L. Bates for "conspicuous personal loyalty and service to the Founder of the Order of DeMolay". He didn't know what it was for, but thought I might be interested in it. Still trying to get more information on the background behind the award. Most of the information at DI was apparently destroyed many years ago in the flood.

Craig Dexter, LOH - Va.

Brother Dexter,

That MIGHT be a Patent for a Founder's Cross.

I will have to double check the date the first one was presented, to see if that is possible. The language makes it sound possible. Could you possibly scan the certificate?

From what I have read Dad Land presented a Patent certificate with the Jewel of the FC, just as is done for the COH.

Fraternally,

Dale

It will take a few days, but I'm sure I can. I think that is what it is. It has Dad Land's seal as Secretary-General affixed to it.

S & F,

Craig