KNIGHTS TEMPLAR 1889 CONCLAVE BOSTON COMMANDERY SKULL & CROSSBONES MOUNT VERNON

Description

ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPH FEATURING THE BOSTON COMMANDERY, KNIGHTS TEMPLAR.
CAPTION at bottom of mount: "HOME OF WASHINGTON, MOUNT VERNON, VA."
PHOTOGRAPHER information at bottom of mount, at left and right sides, above caption: "LUKE C. DILLON, PHOTOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D.C." and "OFFICE, 935 PENN. AVENUE, PULLMAN'S GALLERY."
On the drum in the photo, lower right: "BOSTON COMMANDERY, K.T. 1769 BOSTON, MASS."
On the sign in the photo, left side: "BOSTON COMMANDERY BOSTONIA CONDITA A.D .1630 BOSTON, MASS 1802 IN HOC SIGNO VINCES." There is also some text around the Bostonia circle, but we cannot make it out.
Many of the men have lots of medals. Note the skull and bones on the aprons. Also, there's a group wearing plumed hats, in the background at right.
We found several references to this photograph online. We found the following excerpt on the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library website: "... it depicts the group of Knights who visited George Washington’s home during their attendance at the 1889 Conclave (or triennial meeting) in Washington, D.C. Indeed, a Boston newspaper account of the trip notes that on October 10, 1889, the group traveled to Mount Vernon on a boat and 'from the wharf they marched to the tomb where resides all that is mortal of that most eminent Mason, Brother George Washington.' The newspaper goes on to explain that 'the knights then went to the portico of the famous old mansion and were photographed…' According to their own history, 'on arrival [the Knights] formed a square about the tomb of Washington, when an impressive service was held…The old mansion was visited, and pleasant hours were spent on this historic estate.'"
SIZE. Photo: Approximately 7 7/8 x 11 inches. Mount: Approximately 10 5/8 x 13 3/4 inches.
CONDITION. Photo: Some spots and specks. Small mark in sky, right side. Small piece of missing emulsion at right edge, at bottom. Mount: Wear and missing pieces at left side corners. Some wear at other 2 corners and around edges. Front has discoloration around photo and residue along bottom. Back has heavy discoloration and some soiling.
APPEARANCE. Very good tones. Very good depth of field. Very good details. Great signage.