eBay Tip #1

I figure it is about time I share some tips with readers about buying on eBay. My first tip is concerning shipping and handling.
Before making a bid on any item be sure to check out he shipping and handling charges. Many times they are decent, but occasionaly, ok quite occassionaly you will find a seller who marks up his shipping and handling heavily. The item will probably appear cheap but once the shipping is added the seller has made a nice dime.
One way around this is to make sure in your eBay view that you show the shipping charges and add in your zip or postal code so eBay can attempt to approximate the cost for you. If the cost is not shown in the view then go to the listing and look for a shipping section. Still no info. Contact the seller via eMail. Even if the item is a deal you shouldn't take your chances.

Also, if you are going to buy several items from the same buyer check if they will combine ship the items for you. This will same you money on shipping. Make sure you don't process the payment before asking though as they will ussually give you an adjusted invoice with the new shipping cost. Once you pay it is more difficult.

If you have any questions on this please leave a comment.

Strangest eBay item posted here yet- MUST SEE

I tripped over this listing on eBay. Even though I didn't make complete sense of it I know someone will and they will be nice enough to comment and explain to me and other readers. The real treasure here however is not the item itself but the excellent pictures of Rosslyn Chapel inside the eBay listing. The item itself I believe is some sort of totem relating to paranormal experiences. Even if that is not for you GO CHECK OUT THE PICTURES!!! I'm a big fan of Rosslyn and I took a few extra glances at these pictures for sure.

Update: On second reading of the eBay post and a little slower this time I am seeing a strong reminder to a paper that was presented to me by a good friend of mine and brother, Giles W. Crouch. I actually had that paper published on another friend's site. The paper is on the Jinn and Freemasonry and it can be found here at The Burning Taper website. After reading the paper there some of the eBay listing may make more sense...Maybe?

Again if you can make sense of the rest of the item description please comment here and explain.

click here to see the listing with excellent pictures of Rosslyn Chapel (scroll down inside the ebay listing).

Ad Astra Lodge 130 GLNS

Tonight my affiliation with Ad Astra Lodge #130 on the Grand Registry of Nova Scotia was approved. I also did a quick talk on Masonic websites. I'd just like to say hello to all the members of the lodge who may be reading my paper and surfing this site tonight. Thanks for stopping by! Drop by frequently and take some time to look at past posts.

Antique Masonic Freemason Bronzed Cast Iron Bookends on eBay

Here are some affordable cast iron bookends. These book ends would be great to hold your masonic book collection on a shelf. The square and compass design is well done, based on the photos.

This would be a great starter for anyone looking to start a collection of masonic items.

The bookends do need to be refelted on the bottom and rebronzed, if desired. But i kinda like them the way they look in the picture actually and would prabably leave them as is.

click here for ebay listing

19th Century Masonic Cribbage Board Ivory Parque

Today we have something for the card game lovers. This item would look great in a game room or living room or even a special room in a Lodge Hall perhaps. It is a cribbage board with the square and compass inlaid into the surface of the board. A great catch and not too pricey yet.

Good luck and happy bidding! click here to go directly to the eBay listing

Remember if you want me to look for something of interest just drop me a message or a comment...

Listing on eBay store selling off masonic goods

Today I found this eBay store that is reporting to be selling of it's masonic inventory. The store states the following:

"We recently cleared a large assortment of early items out of the Mechanicville, NY Masonic Lodge. The Lodge has closed after being open over 100 years and we found some Amazing, Early, Freemasonry pieces."

A smart buyer might find something of interest here. There are a few items that caught my eye. A drama team or lodge might find some useful items here that you don't normally find for sale that would make you shine. There are also many books listed in various states of condition. I caution my readers to be careful however as some of these items are listed as rare and I would disagree... unless rare is more common than it used to be. Take a browse and happy collecting!

(note: usually my links here take you to one item... today this link will take you to a product listing, all products have the same seller in this listing today)

click here for the listing on eBay

Antique Silver Inlaid Masonic Emblem Horn Snuff Box

Todays item is a nice antique snuff box. While I do not condone the use of snuff... but really that is up to you... This item appears well made and of good quality from the photos. I think it would be a nice gift for a fellow mason or a desktop discussion piece.

click here for the snuff box eBay listing

Interesting Ballot box... on eBay

Hello Brethren and readers,

Today I have an item that presents a few questions. It is a ballot box with glass sides from a Masonic Lodge in the US. The ballot box is stated as being from the 1800's in the listing. To add to the mystery is a newspaper clipping on the bottom of the box with details of the officers of the lodge at that time. They are from Lotus Lodge. (In the eBay listing you can see the photo of the clipping and read it.)

So my questions are:
Is this really a ballot box? In my jurisdiction the ballot box is closed to keep the balloting secret. Could this have been for another purpose?
Does anyone know anytihng about Lotus Lodge? Is the lodge still operating? I can assume the ballot box or whatever it is is here because the lodge went into darkness but I'd be interested to find out.

So brethren let's do some research and see if we can get to the bottom of this Masonic Mystery. Comment here on anything you find out or your opinion on the box.

Here is the link to the listing:
Click here to see the ebay listing with photos