The collection (33 items) consists of manuscripts and books with handwritten marginalia, documents, reports, certificates and a collection with pictures of masonic symbols and carpet patterns. The collection documents the early stages (ca. 1750 - beginning of the 19th century) of the development of Freemasonry in Russia. The manuscripts are copies or translations of European books dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Included are translations from books by such writers as Jakob Böhme, Johann Arndt and Roger Bacon. Most works are in Russian, but there are also works in English, French and German. The collection provides information about masonic literature, constitutions and rites. The works also reflect the relationship between Russian and European freemasonry. Items concerning the government's attitude towards freemasons in Russia are included.

Provenance
The collection is based on the collection of Fedor Fedorovich Mazurin (1845-1898) and Ivan Perfilevich Elagin (1728-1794). The latter served as a secretary in Catherine II's Cabinet and received from the Grand Lodge in England the diploma of Grand Provincial Master. Mazurin was a hereditary honorable citizen of Moscow and a well-know collector of books and manuscripts. Originals in: Rossiskii gosudarstvennyi arkhiv drevnikh aktov (RGADA) [Russian State Archives of Early Acts], Moscow Russia.