Vienna celebrates Prince and his American bride

September 25, 1925

Prince Edward de Lobkowicz "was given a triumphal welcome on his arrival" today in Vienna with his young American wife, Anita Lihme.

Anita is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Bai Lihme, formerly of Chicago, and now New York.

The Chicago Daily Tribune reports that before the war, Prince Edward "was one of the figures in the aristocratic life of Vienna." In 1924, he left Austria "to seek his fortune in America." With $300 in his pocket, he boarded a ship for the United States, "arriving in New York with just $80."

The Prince, who spoke little English, wandered around the city for several days as he searched for work. He was finally able to secure a position at Wanamaker's, where he was hired as a clerk at the cloth counter. He earned $25.00 a week, and "was barely able to live on his wages."

Despite earning a limited wage, the prince "always appeared perfectly garbed at receptions to which he was invited because of his high titles."

He left his clerking position to short a caviar business with M. Isvolsky, the son of the former Czarist ambassador to France. They set up their business in Palm Beach, Florida, where it "became the fashion of the Palm Beach high society to buy the only caviar recommended by the prince and his friend."

It was in Palm Beach where Prince Edward and Anita Lihme, a wealthy American heiress, were first introduced. They met on a golf course, as the Princess is an avid golfer.

Prince Edward has advised Austrians to travel to America where "you will not find dollars on the streets, but where you will find work and you must work hard. I learned, and I am proud of it."

All of Austria's important nobility are vying to "entertain the newlyweds," as the prince and princess "will be the guests of honor" at numerous social functions.