Although all Freemasons will be familiar with the Tracing Boards (painted or printed boards developed in the early years of Freemasonry, which are used in Lodges to illustrate Masonic symbols during lectures) little has been published on them. The book gives a history of the development and use of Tracing Boards, and concentrates on explaining the role of the Tracing Boards in the First, Second, and Third Degrees, and the specific symbolism of the Board used for each. Detailed descriptions of the Boards are given, particularly those used in the three degrees by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement, known as the Harris Boards, which contain the elements of most of the Tracing Boards used in lodges throughout Britain. The book is attractively illustrated to show the variety of historical and colorful Tracing Boards used throughout the world.
Julian Rees was initiated in the Kirby Lodge No. 2818 in London, was Master in 1976/77 and again at the centenary of the Lodge in 1999/2000, and was Master of the German-speaking Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 in 1978/79. He was a regular contributor to the quarterly magazine Freemasonry Today. He is the author of Making Light?A Handbook for Freemasons and The Stairway of Freemasonry.