Columbia Library columns (v.10(1960Nov-1961May))

(New York :  Friends of the Columbia Libraries.  )

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  v.10,no.2(1961:Feb): Page 37  



The King's College Room

EDA4UND ASTLEY PRENTIS

^ ^ ■]# y" ING 'S COLLEGE, founded in the Province of New
f\ York by Royal Charter in the Reign of George II..."
)*■ '\- are tiie first wotds insciibed on the facade of the Low
Memorial Library. Further, there are two flagpoles in front of it;
one, the American, is surmounted by an eagle and the othei, the
Columbia one, is suimounted by a King's ciown, while the light
blue and white Columbia flag itself has a white King's crown. In
addition, one of the principal undergraduate organizations is
named the "King's Crown", as is one of the undergraduate honor
awards. It is obvious how highly cherished are Columbia's history
and traditions.

It seemed only natural that a functional room should be con¬
structed in the Low Library furnished in the style of the mid-
eighteenth century, such a room as King's College might have had,
and about which Columbia's own history could cr\-stalize; a place
to display portraits of distinguished members connected with the
College in the 18th centuiy and some of the Univetsity's piiceless
memorabilia. My sistei, Mis. Katharine Prentis Murphy, my wife
and I proposed to give such a room and, w-ith Dr. Kirk's approval
and the approval of the Columbiana Committee, it has been con¬
structed at 21 o Low Library.

It is a warm and attractive room, we' hope, with its soft colors
and its furniture, two-thirds of which is period and the remainder
especially made in the 1760 style. Perhaps the most important
piece is the ball-and-claw mahogany desk at the west wall. It is a
fine example of Early American cabinet work. On it is a standish
(an inkwell holder), another good example of the work produced
in that distant day and somewhat hard to find now-a-days. Over
the fireplace is a Biitish coat-of-aims — an item my father had

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  v.10,no.2(1961:Feb): Page 37