Contains 8 total regalia items or Masonic/Knights Templar vestment pieces: Diamond-shaped open collar with a hole in the center for the wearer’s head, white cloth in front with gilt lace borders and decoratively embroidered with various colored cloth and metallic designs, flags, crest, crowns (with pearl-like beads), swords, etc., and purple “33” in center of triangle main design in front. Red silk on verso with Isaac C. Bateman’s name hand-painted. Approx. 23" front to back and 18" shoulder to shoulder (4½" wide). * Green cloth and velvet open collar (28½" in length, about 4" wide) worn over the shoulders, back and chest. Silver lace and long metallic leaf designs. Mounted 2½x2½" iron cross piece at bottom front, decoratively engraved, includes date of 1858. “I.B.” monogrammed on back. A few splits, rubbed. * Black velvet chasuble, decoratively embroidered with metallic leaves and flowers, various metal / silver pieces: cross hollowed with red cloth inside, a 7-pointed star with red cloth cross in center circle mounted over multi-layered ruffled black cloth circle, 9-pointed engraved circle star with red cloth inside hollowed center, a lamb carrying a flag, a rooster, red cloth cross inside extended 4-point cross mounted on multi-layered ruffled green cloth circle and a hanging silver “iron cross.” Green cloth verso starting to lift away at portions (could be mended). “I.B.” monogrammed on back, plus small hook for hanging. When folded in half approx. 41" in height. * White cloth sash (approx. 38½" long) stitched together at base, with black cloth trim and an engraved silver 9-point star “In Hoc Signo Vinces” ["in this sign you will conquer"] containing a gold cross laid over red fabric enclosed by plastic cover (3½" diameter from star tip to another). Scattered small holes (one being 1"). * Black and white cloth sash (approx. 37½" long), with silver lace (green cloth on verso) attached at base with decoratively engraved & embossed silver cross with extended four points, another mounted silver medallion higher up a 9-pointed star with red velvet cross showing through from inside. A few small splits. * Black velvet shawl decoratively embroidered with metallic leaves throughout (tan/golden cloth on verso to hold together leaf designs). Cut in a half circle shape, diameter is 61". * Decorative black velvet apron embellished with metallic silver embroidery flower and leaf designs, numerous hanging metallic strands (2¾" long) or fringe, center with triangle containing 12 gold metallic stars and mounted silver scull with crossed bones, long black rope around entire piece (for tying), plus other silver/metallic pieces: crossed swords, cross hanging from green cloth, hanging trowel, etc. Green cloth on verso with fabric monogram “I.B.” Approx. 15" in length. * Black leather belt outside coat with black cloth and 4 lines of silver cloth, silver medal hooks and leather attachments (for holding sword, etc.). With 2x3" silver buckle engraved “In Hoc Signo Vinces” and red enameled red cross inlay. Rubbing, some threads a bit frayed.
Eight pieces of clothing formerly belonging to Brother Isaac C. Bateman, 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason, Knights Templar, one of the founders of Austin, in Lander County, Nevada. Bateman, was a Lodge member at Forest City, California, which on May 4, 1855, became Forest Lodge No. 66 (see Sherman, Fifty Years of Masonry in California, Vol. 1, 1898). Bateman was involved in various enterprising pursuits, including mining and was on the Board of Directors of the company in charge of building a railroad from Humboldt River to the Colorado River, in 1868. In 1861 when Virginia City was first incorporated under the territorial laws of Utah, he was chosen as Secretary (see “The History of Nevada,” Thompson & West, 1881). He died in Arizona and his remains were brought to San Francisco. It is likely he belonged to the A. & A.S.R. of the Southern Jurisdiction. The 33rd (“and last”) Degree of the ancient Scottish Rite is an honorary degree, conferred for exceptional service to Freemasonry. There are very few people who achieve this status and receive this recognition and is considered an honor of the highest degree.
“The Ancient and Accepted Rite of Freemasonry, in the United States and others related to UK Ancient Craft Freemasonry, is seen as a separate tradition but a continuation nevertheless of Masonic philosophy. Originating in France in the mid-18th century, the Scottish rite is far younger than the system created in the UK. By the late 18th century, it evolved further when it was exported to the United States and eventually became a system conferring the 4th through the 33rd degrees. The system itself carries on certain legends seen in the primary and ancient three degrees, as well as a heavy dose of chivalric lessons in the later degrees, using the Knights Templar and the Teutonic Knights as a vehicle for the philosophical lessons. The white collar in this auction was worn as regalia for a Freemason who had attained the 33rd Degree in this Rite. Within a Craft lodge of the three primary degrees, that degree does not exist and is not accorded as a higher rank than Master Mason (third degree), and he holds no sway over any Master of a lodge or a Grand Master. However, the brother who holds it is considered a man of respect because it was obtained by not a small amount of effort.
In the late 18th century, there was a European revival and romance of the medieval period, causing many to Freemasons—men of their times—to opine that there was a crusader influence on their Craft rather than a simple origin of laborer-craftsmen. It was during this zeitgeist that the Knights Templar orders were created and propagated as side-organizations in the Masonic fraternity in the UK and in Ireland. This Medieval romanticism continued through early19th century and heralded the publication of Sir Walter Scott’s classic book, Ivanhoe, and influenced art and architecture throughout Europe and the Isles. The Masonic Knights Templar is most certainly a product of this romanticism and the articles auctioned are examples of the late 19th century American version of the Order, and although it existed in the Union for some time before, it gained much popularity following the close of the Civil War because of its emphasis on military drills and uniforms. The American version of the Knights Templar regalia resembles the naval officer uniform of that time with its long tunic coats and ostrich feather chapeau.
The Order of Knights Templar requires a Freemason to have obtained the Royal Arch degree and be a Royal & Select Master, as well as being a Trinitarian Christian. However, such a religious requirement is not expected in the former two degrees; it is only in the latter that such a requirement is imposed and a Mason not ascribing to such a faith is not missing a piece of some hierarchical knowledge upon which his Masonic attainment is hindered” – Adam G. Kendall, P.M., Curator of Collections, Henry Wilson Coil Library & Museum of Freemasonry, Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California.