"The Templars and the Freemasons believed that the treasure was too great for any one man to have, not even a king," FBI special agent Sadusky proclaims in the film "National Treasure." "That's why they went to such lengths to keep it hidden."

Those of us not so familiar with the lived experience of fraternal organizations often learn about secret societies like the Freemasons from Hollywood blockbusters starring Harvey Keitel and Nicolas Cage. The reality, of course, isn't quite so packed with burning torches, leather jackets and century-old conspiracies.

But such societies are steeped in a rich and bewitching tradition that to most of us remains unknown. Collectors Kendra and Allan Daniel have long been on the hunt for paraphernalia associated with fraternal organizations, accumulating objects from thrift stores, antique fairs and other places that too often go unnoticed.

"Very often youll pass a booth that has an evocative display of hands or a staff or skull and crossbones," Stacy C. Hollander, Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator at the American Folk Art Museum explained to The Huffington Post. "The average person wont understand what the implications of those symbols are."