Posted 10 years ago
MisterEsot…
(25 items)
I picked these up at one of my usual swap meet vendors that I visit weekly. They are actually engraved with the original owner's name on the back. I have worn them to work a few times (sans the tie bar) and have always gotten tons of questions, compliments and interest.
The text around the rim of the cufflinks says: "Help a Child Run in '71"
Then it says "Al Malaikah" on the bottom curve.
Despite being HUGE on the cuff, I really like them. Kinda wish they were wrap-around with the chain. ;-)
I find it odd you were the cufflinks of a Shriner...which belong to one who went out and raised money to help kids walk ...and support burn hospital for kids who treat them at no cost to them , to collect them is one thing,.. but to wear them is to say you are one .......
http://support.shrinershospitals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HowYouCanHelp_v2
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Thank you for posting. I understand where you are coming from, and though I disagree on one aspect, I fully agree how wonderful the organization is and respect the Shriners and the good they do and have done for well over 100 years.
When I wear these in public, I, by no means give the impression that I earned them or impersonate a Shriner in any way. They are very unique cufflinks, and are certainly conversation starters. I make it clear that I am solely a collector of cufflinks and the conversation goes from there. I can tell you that because of wearing these unique vintage links that I have pulled up the Shriners page on my computer while talking with clients that inquired as to what my cufflinks were all about. By wearing them, though I openly admit to not being the original earning owner, I do educate and have the opportunity to discuss the organization despite not being a member.
Though I would not consider myself a philanthropist, I do donate money each year to a variety of charities that I personally believe in. In addition to that, I donate 15-20 hours a month of my time to three different 401(c)3 organizations. Not that it matters for the purposes of this post, but I did want to at least somewhat justify my support of charitable organizations and my wearing of vintage unique cufflinks that were one time earned by a dedicated individual is not to take credit for the work that he did, but to pay homage to the organization, and start conversations not so much about my passion for collecting cufflinks but for the backstory behind them (in the particular case of these links, to be clear).
As I said earlier, I agree with you that the Shriners organization is a wonderful one and the work that they do is nothing short of phenomenal, I disagree that these links from 1971 should be stored only, unseen by the public strictly for the sake of collecting. In fact , by doing that, an argument could be made that I would be violating one of the very tenets of what the Shriners believe and profess: to educate on their principals and why they do the work they do.
Of course this is just my opinion, and I could be wrong. Thank you, again, for your comment.
ahhhh your just trying to justified wearing them ...lol ..I wore them for years ...and I been giving to charities most of my life ...time and money so what ...smiling ...if your not a Shriner you should not wear them is my feeling no matter how you try to make it seem all right .. if you collected police badges would you wear them to work ...don't think so ...as far as you being a rep for the Shriners ..they have there own people ....I could get long winded such as yourself but it would be invane I think ..so this is the last I have to say about it and you can delete my comments so this can stay between you and I ....have a great day
Ossipee Valley lodge...
I don't delete comments. I welcome all opinions, whether positive or negative. Yes, I am long winded and when pressed or presented with a difference of opinion, I don't just comment flippantly or call someone names, I exolain my stance, and we can agree to disagree.
I respect your opinion that only a Shriner should wear the cufflinks. I think I know some friends and family that even agree with you. For me, the practicality and usability of cufflinks in my day to day work life is certainly an impetus to keep the collection growing, but I do believe that part of the joy of the subtly of cufflinks are that you can wear them in public without it causing a potential hazard (I think the police badge example is a bit extreme as a badge such as that implies powers and identification of said powers that cufflinks sinply do not do.
I am not a big "collecting for the sake if collecting" kind if person. The ability to wear them in my personal and professional life is a nice perk. And I still stand behind my assertion that the noble organization that is essentially advertised and sparking client conversations at my work is getting a little more exposure and conversations are happening that would not have occurred otherwise, versus buying the links and having them sit in a privately owned jewelry box until my passing. That is simply a waste.
You certainly have a valid point and I do respect that. I own almost two hundred pairs of cufflinks and I wear different pairs 5 days a week, so though these unique Shriner links are beautiful and unique, don't think I make a true habit of wearing them often. I think I've worn them maybe 3 times and I doubt I will again for quite a while.
Thanks again for posting and for the work you do.
Thanks for the Love & Like everyone! I have posted quite a few more things from my collection since this post. I picked up some more Frateral Order pieces, including Masons and others. This pair from the Shriners still holds the most unique title, though, by far! ????
Please excuse the "????" For some reason, when I post to this board from my iPhone, it adds that and I don't know how to stop it. ????
I would have to agree with Roycroftbooksfromme1 that it is in extremely poor taste for non-members of a fraternity to wear fraternal jewelry. I trust that your motives may not be nefarious, but there are people who try to pass themselves off as Shriners, Freemasons, etc. in the hope of gaining that to which they are not justly entitled. Members pay dues for the privilege of being able to wear the insignias, and should attempt to live their lives by the codes of ethics which these organizations teach... highest among these ethics is "truth". Of course, this is a free country and you have a legal right to do as you wish with your property, whether it is the honorable thing or not. Perhaps one day you will see the light.
I too have these links. I came to Los Angeles in 1957. My apartment building was on the corner of 30th street and Royal ave. Royal ave. went one block south and then jogged one block east going past the Al Malaikah Shrine, which everybody just called 'the shrine auditorium'. Name acts were seen there; the last time I went there to see one of my favorite vocalists, June Christy. The name on the back is Al Greenberg, potentate.