Canada, Royal Black Preceptory tokens: BRITISH COLUMBIA, Vancouver 802; MANITOBA, Winnipeg 685; NOVA SCOTIA, Halifax 117, Lunenburg 865, Westville 567; PRINCE EDWARD IS., Charlottetown 905; SASKATCHEWAN, Saskatoon 777 [7]. Last about fine, others generally very fine and better, mostly scarce £100-£150

Provenance: B. Woodside Collection.

The tokens in this and the following two lots likely represent the best such collection of Royal Black Preceptory issues outside mainland Canada. The late Mr Woodside made a special study of them and his website, irish-tokens.co.uk, features a very comprehensive illustrated list of all the different types known to him. See also Lot 478.

The Royal Black Preceptory, or ‘Black Knights of Ireland’, is a higher order of the Loyal Orange Institution reserved for members who have attained the Royal Arch Purple Marksman degree. The Loyal Orange Institution originated in Ireland in 1795, as a fraternal society among the Protestants of co Armagh. Named in honour of William III of England, Prince of Orange, lodges were established in most Protestant centres of Ireland by 1800, England and Canada by 1808, and among Ulster immigrants in New York City by 1867. Rapid growth in the society led to the establishment of a Grand Lodge for the US in 1870. By 1873 there were 100 lodges claiming a national membership of 10,000, growing to 364 lodges and 30,000 members by 1914. The society was founded on the principles of Protestantism, patriotism and preservation of the concept of separation of church and state. Membership was restricted to Protestant men 18 years of age and older, who professed a life of temperance. Though not exclusive to a particular ethnic group, most members are of Scottish-Irish ancestry