{"product_id":"92369","title":"1911 Shriner Ceremonial Announcement and Decorative Print","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis dual-sided ceremonial broadside produced by the Boston-based Aleppo Temple of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriners) functions as both a newsletter and a decorative print. Each side serves a distinct purpose, with the recto conveying information and the verso providing a highly visual, theatrical counterpart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCeremonial Notice and Initiation Culture\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe text-heavy recto announces an upcoming ceremonial session and includes material for prospective initiates, or “novices,” such as advice columns, a humorous poem, and a brief overview of the order’s mythology and purpose. The tone is notably playful, reflected in lighthearted instructions and tongue-in-cheek guidance. Decorative elements include orange type accents, Shriner-themed illustrations, and two photographs: a large group portrait of uniformed members and a portrait of Imperial Potentate John Frank Treat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn contrast, the verso presents a chaotic, carnivalesque scene of initiation rituals, where figures undergo exaggerated and humorous ordeals at the hands of fez-wearing members. These scenes, ranging from mechanical contraptions to theatrical punishments, reference the order’s initiation traditions in a deliberately exaggerated manner. The imagery, filled with Shriner symbols including a grinning crescent moon, serves both to amuse members and to dramatize the mystique of the organization for outsiders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Shriners and the Aleppo Temple\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, commonly known as the Shriners, is a Masonic-affiliated fraternal organization founded in 1872, known for its elaborate rituals, Middle Eastern-inspired pageantry, and strong emphasis on fellowship and philanthropy, particularly through its network of Shriners Hospitals. Local chapters, or “temples,” such as the Aleppo Temple in Boston, served as centers of social and ceremonial activity, organizing initiations, events, and printed materials like this broadside that reflect both the theatrical traditions and civic presence of the order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eDespite two small holes and subtle damp-staining most noticeable in its right corners, this piece’s immediately evident eve-value and potential to inspire intrigue are by no means diminished.\u003cb\u003e\u003cbr style=\"mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;\" clear=\"all\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New World Cartographic","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43095440064573,"sku":"92369","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0390\/9705\/files\/92369a.jpg?v=1775695894","url":"https:\/\/nwcartographic.com\/products\/92369","provider":"New World Cartographic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}