HISTORY OF ALEPPO TEMPLE Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Preceded by History of the Ancient Arabic Order and History of the Imperial Council Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America

2 volumes. First and only edition, numbered and limited. Extensively illustrated. Volume 1 includes two large and handsome tipped-in lithographic plates in full colour, images of Near Eastern sites and events, and an extensive number of portraits, many embellished in red, of organizers of the Order of Shriners, pioneers and first officials of the Order, Imperial Council officers and Nobles of the Aleppo Temple. The Volume 2 includes views of Syria, Aleppo and Boston, colour portraits of Potentates embellished with gilt, additional portraits embellished in red, and many more scenes, portraits, plans, etc., several of which are in colour or colour embellished. Folio, in the original brown ribbed and embossed cloth, the upper covers with vivid pictorial decoration and lettering in gilt, the spines gilt lettered, pictorial endpapers. xiv, 516, p. xvii-xxi p. Vol. II: viii, p. 577-1039. A superior copy, very fine, very bright and unusually well preserved, the interior clean and fresh, the cloth essentially without wear or fading, the hinges firm and strong.

Edizione: the very scarce and impressive first and only edition of this history of aleppo temple and the ancient arabic order of the nobles of the mystic shrine, now known as shriners international. this set with both of the fine tipped in colour lithographic plates which are sometime lacking. these are 'the pilgrimage to mecca ' and 'an outpost on guard'. there are extensive portraits of order members in their festive red fezzes, which are often printed in red over their black and white portraits. large full page portraits are found of important freemason founders of the order, such as walter m. fleming, m.d., and actor william j. florence.<br> despite its orientalist theme, the shrine is a men's fraternity, not connected to either arab culture or islam. its only religious requirement is that as masons members must profess a belief in a supreme being.