Masonic Directory of the District of Columbia - 1865

(Civil War – Masonry) Smith, William Morris (Compiler) MASONIC DIRECTORY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, CONTAINNING A BUSINESS INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS, AND OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION. Washington, D.C. Grand Lodge of the D.C., Grand R.A. Chapter of Maryland and D.C. 1865.12mo. [3], 223 pp., different sections & endpapers printed on color-tinted paper, with numerous woodcut-engraved illustrated ads. Limp black pebbled publisher’s cloth, gilt lettering stamped on front covers, slight shelf-wear, very minor rubbing, NF copy.

First edition of this exceedingly scarce first advertising, street, and business directory of the Masonic membership in Washington, D.C. at the end of the Civil War. Smith (fl. 1860-1866) began as a photographer for Alexander Gardner’s studio, the famed photographer to the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War, and best known for his Sketch Book of The Civil War which included a number of battlefield photographs many by Smith. This scarce directory carefully lists all the Masonic Halls and Chapters, Officers, addresses, meeting dates, including the Washington Commandery No. 1, Columbia Commandery U.D., Potomac Chapter No. 8, Columbia Chapter, No. 15, Hermes Senate No. 1, Washington Naval Lodge, No. 4, the New Jerusalem Lodge, No. 9, with many meeting at the Central Masonic Hall, Navy Yard, the Asylum, and other Masonic Hall locations. This invaluable directory lists not only the degree work level of the Masonic members, but occupations and addresses as well. The many ads promote the photo studios of W. Morris Smith at 482 H Street noting his abilities with Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Mammoth Group Pictures, and more; the two different photographic galleries for Alexander Gardner, illustrated ads for wood & coal dealers, Duvall Founder & Machinist steam engines, Huguely & Bowen Livery Stables, Hamilton Window and Door Frames, as well as booksellers, printers, tanners, and many others, with detailed index. Although American Masons had been subjected to the wave of anti-Masonic fervor which swept the country from 1826 through the 1840s, Masonry began flourishing again by the Civil War, and afterwards was the impetus behind erecting the Washington Monument in D.C. whose cornerstone was laid in 1848. No copies located in Worldcat; See: Hannavy, Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography: A-I, pp. 1468-1469.