References and further reading.

Very few quality books describing Masonic jewels have been written recently, most of the texts having been written before 1940. 

One of the most recent and eagerly awaited publications was that from JOTC member Trevor Harris, entitled 'The Medals and Jewels of British Freemasonry.' It contains photographs of nearly 500 jewels, as well as many masonic medals and tokens. Although some of the jewels described are relatively common to many collections, many of those illustrated have only previously been seen in museums or one or two private collections. The book tackles the breadth of masonic numismatics including jewels, masonic pennies, tokens and medals, which is impossible to do comprehensively and the examples used have been well chosen.

An excellent source of reference for the Stewards' jewels for the Festivals of the Royal Masonic Institute for Girls, and a further one for the Festivals of the Royal Masonic Institute for Boys have been written and published recently by David Heathcote MSc. The books have been thoroughly researched and list a wealth of detail for each Steward's jewel from 1900-1985.

"Discovering Friendly and Fraternal Societies: their badges and regalia" by Victoria Solt Dennis (Shire Publications) was published at the start of 2006 and is a delightfully well-written history of the various friendly societies and fraternal orders that flourished in Britain during the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.  Mrs. Dennis' book is richly illustrated with many fine pictures of jewels, regalia, artefacts and portraits from the archives of the Museum of Freemasonry in London.  There is something for every jewel collector in this great book and it is a 'must'.  One hopes that following this succcess, Mrs Dennis' might consider further publications in this area, drawing more extensively on the Museum's archived treasures.

Another book, Masonic Memorabilia for Collectors, by Bill Jackman covers the broader area of Masonic collecting, having many lovely illustrations and an indication of market prices.  There are sections that cover Jewels, Pottery and Porcelain, Glass, Watches, Books and Prints, Barometers and Clocks.

Further back in time, and sadly out of print, other excellent publications in no particular order of merit include:

Worcestershire Masonic Medals by Rev. H. Poole (1939), a catalogue of Masonic medals in the museum of the Province of Worcestershire.

The Medals (commemorative or historical) of British Freemasonry by Geo. L. Shackles (1901).

Masonic Emblems and Jewels - Treasures at Freemasons' Hall, London by William Hammond (1917), the Curator at Grand Lodge.

Centenary Warrants and Jewels by John Lane (1893), illustrating and explaining (most of) the pre-regulation Craft Centenary jewels.

The Medals of the Masonic Fraternity, Described and Illustrated by William T.R. Marvin (1880), privately published in Boston with limited print run of 160 copies.  The work describes over 700 Masonic medals from around the world and was augmented by a printed supplement in 1912.