Rainbow Memorabilia - Books, Papers and more

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The following are paper items (books, rituals, programs, newspaper articles, etc.) Please feel free to browse through and click on the thumbnail images to display the full-sized images. I have tried to include all known info about the items.

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The 1939 revision of the Rainbow ritual. Smooth blue cover with yellow-gold lettering. I was kind of disappointed how little difference there was between then and now. Things I noted (other than who can witness closed meetings): The Instruction section in the front is rearranged a bit, with more info regarding Initiation and Escort. In Opening, Hope and Charity have less floorwork when proving the Assembly. We are told to "repair to", rather than "assume" our stations. The Pledge of Allegiance is the pre-WWII version -- it does not have "under God" and is given by "standing with the right hand over the heart, all repeat together the pledge. At the words 'to the Flag' the right hand is extended, palm upward, toward the Flag and this position is held until the end, when the hand, after the words 'Justice for all', drops to the side." (Gee, wonder why Congress changed it? [wink]) Also, Charity's Initiation lecture is rearranged for the middle two items. And there's no Addenda about W. Mark Sexson.

In 1955, Miss Denise Chance was installed as Worthy Advisor of Traverse City Assembly #55 in Michigan, and a man named Robert H. Phinny saw fit to clip the newspaper article and mail it to her parents with a personal note. See the image of the article, the letter it is stapled to (image retouched to display entire paper), and read the text of the article. I found it to be an interesting glimpse of Rainbow in Michigan during the '50's.

A 60's postcard of McAlester, Oklahoma, with the Supreme Temple, I.O.R.G. on the immediate right.

A postcard showing the International Temple, Supreme Assembly, Order of the Rainbow for Girls in McAlester, OK. Cancellation mark of July 10, 1956.

Proceedings of the Grand Assembly of the States of Washington and Idaho and Territory of Alaska Order of Rainbow for Girls, twenty-third annual session, Hoquiam, Washington, 1949. Booklet printed up after Grand Assembly, which includes all the speeches, presentations, lectures, etc. given during these sessions. 120 pages worth -- even lists all the Assemblies in these two states and territory. See the back cover. I am not scanning in all the pages, though I am offering you the pictures, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; also the beginning of a transcription of the proceedings. Enjoy! Thanks to K. for pointing out the picture on page three of someone who, 45 years later, became Supreme Worthy Advisor.

1960 revision of Supreme Assembly Statutes, in a nasty goldenrod color. Since I've not seen a more recent copy of the Statutes in at least seven years, I can't give any comparisons, other than the obvious "Who can witness the degrees". Still an interesting item. Mint condition, no writing or anything inside.

Very old Rainbow Girls' Bible. This has the ca. 1930 Rainbow emblem (like the one shown at the top of this page) on the cover. See a close-up of the emblem on the cover. This cover is well-worn; the cloth backing shows through the leather(?) in several spots. The foreword is by Rev. W. Mark Sexson, and is the same one in the "modern" version of the Rainbow bible. Transcription of that is located here on my site. The front page, where the inscription would have been, has been torn out, sadly.

Black and white photo of W. Mark Sexson (seated), being presented with a portrait done in oils. I will state that this photo is not my personal property; it came from a scrapbook which I have been loaned. I cannot date the photo for certain, but I did read somewhere online that this painting was presented to W. Mark Sexson at Supreme Assembly (perhaps in 1950), and that it currently hangs in the Supreme Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma. If anyone can tell me the name of the artist, the person standing on the left (could he be the artist?), the date of this photo, or anything else, it would be VERY helpful!

The 1939 revision of the Rainbow ritual. Heavilly-textured red with brownish-black lettering on the cover. This is just like the blue ritual shown above, with a few minor differences. The cover on the red ritual is thicker, the paper used is heavier (and has yellowed more than the blue ritual's paper). The print on the Floor Plan diagram is a different style, and smaller. Otherwise, the same. The inside cover has "Painesville Assembly #14, No. III" written in fountain pen [Painesville is in Ohio, and they're still an active Assembly], and both the Examination Committee and all of the Confidential Observer's work have been put in parentheses with a fountain pen (which wasn't blotted). Pages 65 through 78 had come loose (the threads binding them in place are dangling), so they were glued back in, and are partially stuck together.
This ritual came with a dues card (displayed at right) tucked inside.

Official Tiling Card, ORG, 1949. Paper stock is thinner than modern dues cards. It is almost emerald green in color, with more blue undertones than yellow. It was filled out in pencil, and appears to be card number "219", the date is "6/21/50", belonging to Miss "Virginia White" in the city of "Painesville, Ohio". Assembly No. "14" Located at "P'ville" city, "Ohio" state. Recorder is "Eleanor Jane Ranau". The seal is hard to read, as one side impressed more than the other. Around the edge says "* PAINESVILLE ASSEMBLY No. 14, ORDER OF THE RAINBOW" and there is blank space. There is a large triangle, placed in what looks to be too high for the emblem to fit, but I see an arch and an L on the right, and there is a lump which might suggest a handshake below it. It also says "INSTITUTED" below it, but the rest is impossible to read. The back of the card is printed with the signatures of W. Mark Sexson, Supreme Recorder, and Laura J. Nelson, Supreme Worthy Advisor.
This card was found inside the red ritual shown on the left.

A Heap o' Livin', by Edgar A Guest, copyright 1916. A book of his poems. The cover and a few of the pages in the back have water damage, and the first few pages are coming loose. The interesting thing about this book is the inscription on the inside cover, "To Mrs. Cassa Leonard Howe, with love from Dearborn Assembly #, Order of Rainbow for Girls, Grand Session July 15th-18th 1937". Who Mrs. Cassa Leonard Howe is remains a mystery. Perhaps she was the Assembly's Mother Advisor or area Deputy, or perhaps Supreme Deputy or Inspector in the state of Michigan? I think it's interesting that there is no Assembly number after the # sign -- maybe Dearborn Assembly didn't have their charter yet? I'd love to find out more on this item. It was found at an estate sale in Michigan.

Power of Color, by W. Mark Sexson - signed by him! I was so excited to run across this book. This is copyright 1938, and was in the library of the Memorial Baptist Church in Hartford, Connecticut for many years. The cover was protected by plastic (like library books usually are), and the inside is almost like new! I doubt it was ever read; the library-card pocket on the inside back cover has the title and author typed on a 3x5" card, and is otherwise blank. When the book was made, quite a few of the pages weren't trimmed properly, so many of them were still attached to one another. I am working on separating them with a razor blade, so I can read it.
The publisher's preface says, in part: "Mr. Sexson was engaged in writing a ritual with the idea of adding an adult lesson or two for the graduate Rainbow Girl, when the thought came to him, 'Why not make it a general story for all who love color and rejoice in its power?'"

Rainbow Bible, Holman edition. This bible was discovered in the belongings of a member of Eastern Star. This lady also had the jeweled Grand Cross pin and Grand Cross seen on the Member & Officer's jewelry page. There was a front section (where the inscription page and foreword by W. Mark Sexon is), but it had been removed, sadly. Otherwise, it's in mint condition; crisp, white cover, clean pages, etc.

Installation program for Assembly No. 129, September 15, 1946. I believe that Assembly No. 129 is located in North Carolina, but have not been able to confirm it. A fascinating look at Rainbow from the past! Read the transcription with photos!

A 1931 Dues card for Rainbow. Note the old emblem in the background! The actual color of this is a bit more orange than a manila envelope. The emblem is done in red. I believe the writing says it is Card No. 122, the date is Oct. 20, 1931, and Miss Dorothy Davison of Billing, Mont. is a member of Assembly No. 24 Located at Billings, Mont. The Recorder is Janet [can't read last name - Lanvin?]. There is no seal embossed on it. This card was found in an old leather purse. Could it have been there the whole time?

No picture, but I have the transcription I typed up of the 1931 Grand Assembly Minutes for the state of California.

Postcard of the Supreme Temple, postmarked Feb. 14, 1985. This is, to me, twice as collectable - not only because it's a postcard of the Supreme Temple, but because it has Rainbow-related content on the back (unlike the other ones I have). Not only that, but the sender is Mary Muhs (yes, the Jr. Past Supreme Worthy Advisor). How exciting!

Program of the 1969 "Patriotism" session of the Grand Assembly in Pennsylvania. Has some discoloration (moisture, it looks like) on the cover. This booklet has forty pages in it. I am working on a transcription. The back few pages have handwritten notes, presumably taken during the School of Instruction. An amusing comment was scribbled out (but is still legible) - "She's long-winded!"
For now, please be satisfied with scans of the inside cover, the picture of the Supreme Inspector (also Supreme Charity at the time), and the Grand Worthy Advisor.

The 1934 revision of the Rainbow ritual. There is no emblem on the cover (as in later editions). I think this was when they were still phasing out the "old" Rainbow emblem. Pages are coming loose, and cover (which is thinner than later editions) is threadbare in spots. Writing on the inside says: "Dorothy Crabtree, 211 So. Winnetka (crossed out), 130 No. Willomes(?) b(?)8930, Assembly No. 67".
Another book by W. Mark Sexson, again signed by him. Inscription reads "For Jimmie Price and Frances from Uncle Mark and Edith with all our love". "Uncle Mark" is what Mr. Sexson was called by the Rainbow girls; Edith is his first wife. There is a mark under the inscription, like something was left in between the pages. No dust jacket, but otherwise in very good condition. Little Boy Bo is a collection of stories and poems written for children!

Grand Cross Card. Center has been mosaic'ed out by me. Card belonged to Grace Z______, whose Grand Cross medallion and gold Grand Cross pin are displayed on Officer & Member jewelry, and who also owned the newer Rainbow bible on this page. This was awarded in 1963; the Supreme Worthy Advisor was Irene L. Ellewanger, and Supreme Recorder was Leta Sexson (Mr. Sexson's second wife).

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[EoF]

The 1939 revision of the Rainbow ritual. Smooth blue cover with yellow-gold lettering. I was kind of disappointed how little difference there was between then and now. Things I noted (other than who can witness closed meetings): The Instruction section in the front is rearranged a bit, with more info regarding Initiation and Escort. In Opening, Hope and Charity have less floorwork when proving the Assembly. We are told to "repair to", rather than "assume" our stations. The Pledge of Allegiance is the pre-WWII version -- it does not have "under God" and is given by "standing with the right hand over the heart, all repeat together the pledge. At the words 'to the Flag' the right hand is extended, palm upward, toward the Flag and this position is held until the end, when the hand, after the words 'Justice for all', drops to the side." (Gee, wonder why Congress changed it? [wink]) Also, Charity's Initiation lecture is rearranged for the middle two items. And there's no Addenda about W. Mark Sexson.	In 1955, Miss Denise Chance was installed as Worthy Advisor of Traverse City Assembly #55 in Michigan, and a man named Robert H. Phinny saw fit to clip the newspaper article and mail it to her parents with a personal note. See the image of the article, the letter it is stapled to (image retouched to display entire paper), and read the text of the article. I found it to be an interesting glimpse of Rainbow in Michigan during the '50's.
A 60's postcard of McAlester, Oklahoma, with the Supreme Temple, I.O.R.G. on the immediate right.	A postcard showing the International Temple, Supreme Assembly, Order of the Rainbow for Girls in McAlester, OK. Cancellation mark of July 10, 1956.
Proceedings of the Grand Assembly of the States of Washington and Idaho and Territory of Alaska Order of Rainbow for Girls, twenty-third annual session, Hoquiam, Washington, 1949. Booklet printed up after Grand Assembly, which includes all the speeches, presentations, lectures, etc. given during these sessions. 120 pages worth -- even lists all the Assemblies in these two states and territory. See the back cover. I am not scanning in all the pages, though I am offering you the pictures, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; also the beginning of a transcription of the proceedings. Enjoy! Thanks to K. for pointing out the picture on page three of someone who, 45 years later, became Supreme Worthy Advisor.	1960 revision of Supreme Assembly Statutes, in a nasty goldenrod color. Since I've not seen a more recent copy of the Statutes in at least seven years, I can't give any comparisons, other than the obvious "Who can witness the degrees". Still an interesting item. Mint condition, no writing or anything inside.
Very old Rainbow Girls' Bible. This has the ca. 1930 Rainbow emblem (like the one shown at the top of this page) on the cover. See a close-up of the emblem on the cover. This cover is well-worn; the cloth backing shows through the leather(?) in several spots. The foreword is by Rev. W. Mark Sexson, and is the same one in the "modern" version of the Rainbow bible. Transcription of that is located here on my site. The front page, where the inscription would have been, has been torn out, sadly.	Black and white photo of W. Mark Sexson (seated), being presented with a portrait done in oils. I will state that this photo is not my personal property; it came from a scrapbook which I have been loaned. I cannot date the photo for certain, but I did read somewhere online that this painting was presented to W. Mark Sexson at Supreme Assembly (perhaps in 1950), and that it currently hangs in the Supreme Temple in McAlester, Oklahoma. If anyone can tell me the name of the artist, the person standing on the left (could he be the artist?), the date of this photo, or anything else, it would be VERY helpful!
The 1939 revision of the Rainbow ritual. Heavilly-textured red with brownish-black lettering on the cover. This is just like the blue ritual shown above, with a few minor differences. The cover on the red ritual is thicker, the paper used is heavier (and has yellowed more than the blue ritual's paper). The print on the Floor Plan diagram is a different style, and smaller. Otherwise, the same. The inside cover has "Painesville Assembly #14, No. III" written in fountain pen [Painesville is in Ohio, and they're still an active Assembly], and both the Examination Committee and all of the Confidential Observer's work have been put in parentheses with a fountain pen (which wasn't blotted). Pages 65 through 78 had come loose (the threads binding them in place are dangling), so they were glued back in, and are partially stuck together. This ritual came with a dues card (displayed at right) tucked inside.	Official Tiling Card, ORG, 1949. Paper stock is thinner than modern dues cards. It is almost emerald green in color, with more blue undertones than yellow. It was filled out in pencil, and appears to be card number "219", the date is "6/21/50", belonging to Miss "Virginia White" in the city of "Painesville, Ohio". Assembly No. "14" Located at "P'ville" city, "Ohio" state. Recorder is "Eleanor Jane Ranau". The seal is hard to read, as one side impressed more than the other. Around the edge says "* PAINESVILLE ASSEMBLY No. 14, ORDER OF THE RAINBOW" and there is blank space. There is a large triangle, placed in what looks to be too high for the emblem to fit, but I see an arch and an L on the right, and there is a lump which might suggest a handshake below it. It also says "INSTITUTED" below it, but the rest is impossible to read. The back of the card is printed with the signatures of W. Mark Sexson, Supreme Recorder, and Laura J. Nelson, Supreme Worthy Advisor. This card was found inside the red ritual shown on the left.
A Heap o' Livin', by Edgar A Guest, copyright 1916. A book of his poems. The cover and a few of the pages in the back have water damage, and the first few pages are coming loose. The interesting thing about this book is the inscription on the inside cover, "To Mrs. Cassa Leonard Howe, with love from Dearborn Assembly #, Order of Rainbow for Girls, Grand Session July 15th-18th 1937". Who Mrs. Cassa Leonard Howe is remains a mystery. Perhaps she was the Assembly's Mother Advisor or area Deputy, or perhaps Supreme Deputy or Inspector in the state of Michigan? I think it's interesting that there is no Assembly number after the # sign -- maybe Dearborn Assembly didn't have their charter yet? I'd love to find out more on this item. It was found at an estate sale in Michigan.	Power of Color, by W. Mark Sexson - signed by him! I was so excited to run across this book. This is copyright 1938, and was in the library of the Memorial Baptist Church in Hartford, Connecticut for many years. The cover was protected by plastic (like library books usually are), and the inside is almost like new! I doubt it was ever read; the library-card pocket on the inside back cover has the title and author typed on a 3x5" card, and is otherwise blank. When the book was made, quite a few of the pages weren't trimmed properly, so many of them were still attached to one another. I am working on separating them with a razor blade, so I can read it. The publisher's preface says, in part: "Mr. Sexson was engaged in writing a ritual with the idea of adding an adult lesson or two for the graduate Rainbow Girl, when the thought came to him, 'Why not make it a general story for all who love color and rejoice in its power?'"
Rainbow Bible, Holman edition. This bible was discovered in the belongings of a member of Eastern Star. This lady also had the jeweled Grand Cross pin and Grand Cross seen on the Member & Officer's jewelry page. There was a front section (where the inscription page and foreword by W. Mark Sexon is), but it had been removed, sadly. Otherwise, it's in mint condition; crisp, white cover, clean pages, etc.	Installation program for Assembly No. 129, September 15, 1946. I believe that Assembly No. 129 is located in North Carolina, but have not been able to confirm it. A fascinating look at Rainbow from the past! Read the transcription with photos!
A 1931 Dues card for Rainbow. Note the old emblem in the background! The actual color of this is a bit more orange than a manila envelope. The emblem is done in red. I believe the writing says it is Card No. 122, the date is Oct. 20, 1931, and Miss Dorothy Davison of Billing, Mont. is a member of Assembly No. 24 Located at Billings, Mont. The Recorder is Janet [can't read last name - Lanvin?]. There is no seal embossed on it. This card was found in an old leather purse. Could it have been there the whole time?	No picture, but I have the transcription I typed up of the 1931 Grand Assembly Minutes for the state of California.
Postcard of the Supreme Temple, postmarked Feb. 14, 1985. This is, to me, twice as collectable - not only because it's a postcard of the Supreme Temple, but because it has Rainbow-related content on the back (unlike the other ones I have). Not only that, but the sender is Mary Muhs (yes, the Jr. Past Supreme Worthy Advisor). How exciting!	Program of the 1969 "Patriotism" session of the Grand Assembly in Pennsylvania. Has some discoloration (moisture, it looks like) on the cover. This booklet has forty pages in it. I am working on a transcription. The back few pages have handwritten notes, presumably taken during the School of Instruction. An amusing comment was scribbled out (but is still legible) - "She's long-winded!" For now, please be satisfied with scans of the inside cover, the picture of the Supreme Inspector (also Supreme Charity at the time), and the Grand Worthy Advisor.
The 1934 revision of the Rainbow ritual. There is no emblem on the cover (as in later editions). I think this was when they were still phasing out the "old" Rainbow emblem. Pages are coming loose, and cover (which is thinner than later editions) is threadbare in spots. Writing on the inside says: "Dorothy Crabtree, 211 So. Winnetka (crossed out), 130 No. Willomes(?) b(?)8930, Assembly No. 67".	Another book by W. Mark Sexson, again signed by him. Inscription reads "For Jimmie Price and Frances from Uncle Mark and Edith with all our love". "Uncle Mark" is what Mr. Sexson was called by the Rainbow girls; Edith is his first wife. There is a mark under the inscription, like something was left in between the pages. No dust jacket, but otherwise in very good condition. Little Boy Bo is a collection of stories and poems written for children!
Grand Cross Card. Center has been mosaic'ed out by me. Card belonged to Grace Z______, whose Grand Cross medallion and gold Grand Cross pin are displayed on Officer & Member jewelry, and who also owned the newer Rainbow bible on this page. This was awarded in 1963; the Supreme Worthy Advisor was Irene L. Ellewanger, and Supreme Recorder was Leta Sexson (Mr. Sexson's second wife).