American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography, including The Larry Ness Collection of Native American Photography

2 medals, each 1 3/4 in. diam., with a pierced ribbon design with circular loops at top. The first with obverse engraved "B. Comstock / Heron Mark Lodge," and reverse with engraved square and compass encircled by engraved letters "H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S." The second with obverse engraved "Hez. Read. Jr. / Heron Mark Lodge," and reverse with engraved motif featuring an ark on water illuminated by an all-seeing eye, encircled by engraved letters "H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S." This series of 8 letters appearing on both medals is a mnemonic for "Hiram The Widow's Son Sent To King Solomon."

Mark Master masons used Mark Master medals as personal badges, identifying the owner on one side and bearing the "Mark" assigned to the owner on the other. This unique
"Mark" would be recorded in the "Mark Book" and would act as a signature to identify that particular person's masonry work through the end of their career.

William "Billy" Comstock (1776-1823) of Redding Connecticut is likely the "B. Comstock" who owned the first medal featured here. Hezekiah Read Jr. (1783-1859) is likely the "Hez. Read Jr." who owned the second medal featured here.

Both Billy and Hezekiah were listed as Representatives of the Legislature of Redding, Connecticut in 1819. The Heron Mark Lodge No. 11 appears to have been active until 1828.