Part 678: The 1899 Guthrie Scottish Rite Contract for Costumes
E. A. Armstrong Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of secret society, military and band supplies, was located at 300-302-304 Wabash Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Their letterhead noted that the company was located “Next to Auditorium.” That was the Chicago Auditorium, previously discussed in detail in regard to the development of Brown’s special system.
On January 13, 1899, just a few days before a three-day reunion where degrees were conferred by all four Scottish Rite bodies in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the E. A. Armstrong Mfg. Co. filled a large purchase by the Guthrie Lodge of Perfection, No. 1. A.A.S.R. Order No. 1-272 for the Masonic department received a cash payment for costumes, a stereopticon and lantern slides. The head of the Masonic department at E. A. Armstrong was Bestor G. Brown. $1,187.35 worth of costumes and props were purchased for the 4, 5, 6, 9, 14, 15, 18, 21, 30, and 31 degrees. $1,187.35 in1899 is the monetary equivalent of $36,000 today. In addition to costumes, one “double stereopticon with electric lamps and rheostata, mechanical dissolver was purchased for $120.00.” For use with this device, lantern slide subjects included one set “Rock of Ages,” containing twelve slides, one “Ark of the Covenant” and two 18th degree banners, adding another $51.70 to the total.
Here are a few examples of costumes in the 1899 contract, listing degree characters, as it gives a scope of necessary items at the time:
FOURTH DEGREE
Costumes with head-dresses for Venerable Master, two Wardens, and master of ceremonies 30.00
FIFTH DEGREE
Two (2) Costumes – in white- for King Solomon & Hiram King of Tyre – with head-dresses 30.00
SIXTH AND NINTH DEGGREES
Costume for King Solomon – yellow and purple pluch
Costume for Hiram King of Tyre – red plush
Costume for Heardsman – leggings Greek
Shirt, fillet – with sheep skin mantle 85.00
FOURTEENTH DEGREE
Costume for King Solomon – in cashmere 50.00
Two costumes for Wardens in white-
With headdresses, at $15.00 30.00
Costume for Master of Ceremonies
With head-dresses 10.00
Crux Ansata, 1.50
Pentateuch 1.75
Seven branch candlestick 12.00
Gilt triangle for altar 2.75
Embroidered triangle for altar cover 3.75
Cubical stone with pedestel 18.00
FIFTEENTH DEGREE
Costume for Cyrus 40.00
Costume for Satrap Assyria 25.00
Costume for Satrap Persia 25.00
Costume for Master Calvary 20.00
Costume for Master Infantry 20.00
Two (2) Costumes for Persian Guard
Tunic, helmet, hose, armlet, sandals
Spurs and shields at $12.00 24.00
Garb of slavery 2.75
Costume for Zerubbubel 10.00
EIGHTEENTH DEGREE
Costume for Wise Master-cassock,
Cassock, chasable, and biretta for first
Apartment 32.00
Altar cover – black 24.00
Crucifix 2.75
Crosses – two – black 2.00
TWENTY-FIRST DEGREE
Complete costumes for the following
Lieut. Comdr.
Richard
Alphonso
Isadore
Altandorf
Reinfred
Adolph
Thaddeus
Phillippe Augustus
Warder 225.00
THIRTIETH DEGREE
Four (4) Papier mache skulls, 5.00
Triple tiara, regel crown
Roman cap of Liberty 10.00
Four (4) black cowls 5.00
Four (4) white beards 3.60
THIRTY-FIRST DEGREE
Costumes with wire masks, and head-
Dresses for the following:
Osiris
Atum
Ma
Thoth
Anufu
Isis
Nephthys
Har
Four (4) Genic 150.00
Twelve (12) White sateen robes – with
Bald wigs, and white beards, 55.00
Mummy and bier 60.00
Scale, weights and vase 17.00
Four (4) Incense vases 20.00
Looking at the costumes listed about makes me think of the degree performers. It was that western men from a variety of backgrounds who would portray biblical characters, Egyptian gods, and medieval knights. From bankers and lawyers to rancher sand oil men, each had the opportunity to become a star on the Scottish Rite stage.
To be continued…
