What Masonry Is And Its Objects Albert Pike speech published in New Orleans 1919

Description

Up for sale is
an exceptionally scarce publication that any collector of rare Masonic items will surely want to own.  It contains a printed speech that was delivered in 1858 by one of the most influential members of the Scottish Rite and was re-delivered in 1919 by a Grand Master Mason in New Orleans, Louisiana.  (This is the original 1919 publication, not a modern reprint.  NOTE:  I have found no indication that the speech was actually published in 1858 when it was first delivered or at any time prior to 1919, when my copy was printed.)
The title page reads as follows:
WHAT MASONRY IS
AND ITS OBJECTS
---------
ADDRESS
Originally Delivered By
ALBERT PIKE
At the Grand Lodge Session of February 8, 1858.
Re-Delivered by
M.W. Brother George A. Treadwill,
Grand Master
February 4, 1919
------------
New Orleans:
A. W. Hyatt Stationary Mfg. Co., Ltd.
-------
1919
This is a paperback booklet with stapled binding.  It measures 9 inches tall by 6 inches wide and has 30 numbered pages, plus an additional page of Addenda.  (The Addenda include a statement by Pike, followed by the following message:
This pamphlet is sent to you COMPLIMENTARY by
The Grand Consistory of Louisiana, 32nd
Degree, ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE
MASONS, New Orleans, La.
Although associated with the American South, Albert Pike (1809 - 1892) was actually born in Boston and lived in Massachusetts until early adulthood.  He passed the entrance exams at Harvard University but declined to attend after being required to advance two years of tuition.  He had a remarkably varied life, including being a trapper in New Mexico, a newspaper editor and owner in Arkansas, a soldier in the Mexican War, an attorney who specialized in Native American claims against the federal government, and a Confederate Brigadier General during the Civil War (assigned with organizing and commanding Native American regiments in service of the rebellion).  He first joined the Masons in early 1840s and was very active for many years.  He delivered the speech in the publication I am selling in 1858, one year prior to being elected the Sovereign Grand Master of the Scottish Rite's Southern Jurisdiction, a position he would hold for the remainder of his life.
What Masonry Is And Its Objects
is a preview of Pike's 1871
Morals and Dogma
, a standard text which was - for many years - given to every new member of the Southern Jurisdiction.  (The practice was discontinued in 1969 because it was felt that
Morals and Dogma
was "too advanced" for the new Scottish Rite member.)
When Grand Master M.W. Brother George A. Treadwell re-delivered the speech in 1919, the address may have had special significance for his New Orleans audience, as Pike actually lived in the Crescent City from 1853 to 1857, practicing law and writing an (unpublished) legal treatise:
Maxims of the Roman Law and Some of the Ancient French Law, as Expounded and Applied in Doctrine and Jurisprudence
.  According to the brief introduction in the publication I am selling, Pike delivered the address at the 46th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, which was held in New Orleans on February 8, 1858.  (He may have returned from Arkansas, where he had moved, to attend this meeting and give the speech.)  As noted above, I have found no evidence that the speech was actually published in 1858, or at any time prior to 1919 (the year this item was printed).
Please see above for complete description of condition and photos.   Sold as is.
Attention US Buyers:  I will ship by USPS Media Mail or by USPS Priority Mail, your choice.  Please note that if you have a Military Mail address (e.g. APO), I must ask that you choose USPS Priority Mail as it is my understanding that USPS Media Mail is unreliable to Military Mail addresses.
Attention International Buyers:  Unfortunately, it appears that international shipping from the US (via the USPS) has become unreliable, because of the pandemic.  Therefore, I have decided to remove the international shipping option.  You are still welcome to bid on this item, but will need to supply a shipping address in the US.  I'm sorry for the inconvenience.  Thank you for your understanding.