Recently the King of Prussia Historical Society came across a brochure from the Birnbaum Auction Gallery in New York City from 1964. One of the items being auctioned was one of the old signs from the King of Prussia Inn, that was sold around 1920, when anti-German sentiment was high, and the Inn was renamed “The Old King Inn” for a time. Attached to the brochure was a hand-written note from society founder and antiques dealer, Lucressa H. Morrison, telling of how the sign was found and returned. It is now on display inside the main entrance to the Inn.
“A gentleman stopped in my Antique Shop and asked me if I knew the original K. of P. sign was going to be sold at auction Nov 4 & 5.
He left this copy with me. I and Mrs. Deane Webber who assisted me in the shop decided to go and if possible buy.
We called our Society Treasurer and I asked how high we could go. Finances were very low, so we decided to put some of our own money in the venture.
King of Prussia Inn sign where it currently resides in the foyer of the King of Prussia Inn, the home of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
To our amazement it started where we had hoped it would stop.
However we stayed until the sale ended and I happened to be standing near a gentleman who was standing looking at the sign.
I said, it brought a good price – don’t you think?
He said, not as much as it should. I then said we were from K. of P. Historical Society and came hoping to buy it.
He said, after more conversation about our society, wait a moment I’ll talk to the son. When he returned he said, we have decided that is where it belongs. I bought it, but we have decided it will be a gift.”
Today the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce holds title to the King of Prussia Inn sign. Last we heard, it still sits in the foyer of the Inn.
1964 Auction Brochure
