Karl Springer, born in 1931 in Germany, emigrated to New York City in 1957.  He studied book binding while working at Lord and Taylor and began making small pieces such as Telephone Tables and picture frames covered in snake skin as well as other exotic materials. In the 1960’s his work was discovered by the Duchess of Windsor and she became his first collector and helped to launch his career.  He opened a large showroom in New York City and later had showrooms in Miami, Los Angeles and even Tokyo.