A distinctive piece of Chicago fraternal history.
This vintage Medinah Shrine fez features the elaborate red felt construction, gold-tone bullion-style embroidery, jeweled Shrine emblem, and long black tassel associated with Medinah's ceremonial regalia.
Medinah Shriners traces its Chicago history to the late 19th century and was chartered in 1883. The Shrine's distinctive red fez became one of the most recognizable symbols of the organization, which grew from the broader Masonic fraternity into an international fraternal organization known for fellowship, elaborate ceremonial traditions, and philanthropy.
This particular fez has an especially interesting detail: the interior retains its original John F. Kreissl label, giving us the name and Chicago address of the person for whom the fez was made or who owned it:
John F. Kreissl
4921 N. Keeler Avenue
Chicago 30, Illinois
The elaborate bullion-style embroidery is an especially attractive feature. Gold bullion stitching is a traditional form of fraternal regalia decoration, and surviving Medinah examples provide a fascinating glimpse into the craftsmanship of Shrine ceremonial dress.
This is more than a vintage hat. It is a piece of American fraternal material culture, connecting one individual Chicago member to the larger history of Medinah Shrine, Freemasonry, ceremonial regalia, and the social world of American fraternal organizations.
Condition: Vintage condition with appropriate age and handling wear. The felt, embroidery, jeweled decoration, tassel, and interior show signs of age. Please examine all photographs carefully; the pictured fez is the actual piece offered for acquisition.
A genuinely unusual piece of Chicago history for the collector of fraternal organizations, Masonic and Shrine memorabilia, Americana, or the curious artifacts of American social history.
A distinctive piece of Chicago fraternal history.
This vintage Medinah Shrine fez features the elaborate red felt construction, gold-tone bullion-style embroidery, jeweled Shrine emblem, and long black tassel associated with Medinah's ceremonial regalia.
Medinah Shriners traces its Chicago history to the late 19th century and was chartered in 1883. The Shrine's distinctive red fez became one of the most recognizable symbols of the organization, which grew from the broader Masonic fraternity into an international fraternal organization known for fellowship, elaborate ceremonial traditions, and philanthropy.
This particular fez has an especially interesting detail: the interior retains its original John F. Kreissl label, giving us the name and Chicago address of the person for whom the fez was made or who owned it:
John F. Kreissl
4921 N. Keeler Avenue
Chicago 30, Illinois
The elaborate bullion-style embroidery is an especially attractive feature. Gold bullion stitching is a traditional form of fraternal regalia decoration, and surviving Medinah examples provide a fascinating glimpse into the craftsmanship of Shrine ceremonial dress.
This is more than a vintage hat. It is a piece of American fraternal material culture, connecting one individual Chicago member to the larger history of Medinah Shrine, Freemasonry, ceremonial regalia, and the social world of American fraternal organizations.
Condition: Vintage condition with appropriate age and handling wear. The felt, embroidery, jeweled decoration, tassel, and interior show signs of age. Please examine all photographs carefully; the pictured fez is the actual piece offered for acquisition.
A genuinely unusual piece of Chicago history for the collector of fraternal organizations, Masonic and Shrine memorabilia, Americana, or the curious artifacts of American social history.
