"The Odd Fellows Offering for 1851" is a rare and valuable collectible book published in 1851 by the Odd Fellows organization. This hardcover book features various authors and is illustrated, making it a unique and interesting piece for collectors interested in fraternal and social organizations. Printed in English in the United States, this original printing from 1851 offers a glimpse into the history and practices of the Odd Fellows in North America during that time period. Perfect for enthusiasts of antique books and pieces related to fraternal organizations.
The Odd Fellows' Offering for 1851 is a mid-19th-century antique book and literary annual published by the fraternal organization, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF).
Book Overview & Design
Full Title: The Odd-Fellows' Offering for 1851: Embellished with Elegant Engravings and a Highly-Finished Presentation Plate.
Publisher: Edward Walker, located at 114 Fulton Street in New York City.
Contributors: The text consists of a compilation of literature, poems, and essays written primarily by members of the IOOF, along with their wives and sisters.
Aesthetic Features: Original first editions featured heavily gilded, ornate leather hardbound covers, all-gilt page edges, an illuminated presentation plate, and roughly 10 distinct historical or allegorical steel engravings protected by tissue guards.
Historical Significance
The year 1851 marks a critical milestone for the fraternity. Under the guidance of Schuyler Colfax (who later became U.S. Vice President), the IOOF officially adopted the Degree of Rebekah on September 20, 1851. This historic decision made the Odd Fellows the very first national fraternity in the United States to formally accept and include women in its ranks. Annuals like the Offering served as major social tools to display the order's core virtues—Friendship, Love, and Truth—to the general public.