Robert Burns' Masonic apron for sale

Sep 25 2009 by Yonnie McInnes

ROBERT Burns’ Royal Arch Masonic apron will be up for auction at Bonhams in London next Wednesday, September 30, and is expected to reach £15,000 to £25,000.

The 18th century item is part of a 750-piece collection amassed by Michael Bennett-Levy and is the latest in a series of Robert Burns items that have been sold by Bonhams over the past few weeks.

“Throughout my life the apron hung in my grandmother’s flat and, after her death, in my parent’s home. When I inherited it some years ago I did some research, but could not associate it with any of the Scottish lodges to which Robert Burns belonged,” said Mr Bennett-Levy.

“I did nothing further until February this year when I decided to have it X-rayed, which showed clearly the top of an archway under the apron flap – and a London Freemason instantly identified it as an 18th century Royal Arch apron.”

The mount of the apron is inscribed ‘Robert Burns. Masonic Apron 1787’.

Initially the apron belonged to Michael’s great-great-grandfather Sir Benjamin Benjamin – Mayor of Melbourne and senior Mason – who later passed it on to his son-in-law Bernhard Sinauer.

The item was then passed down to Bennett-Levy’s grandfather, Esmond Sinauer.