[5] At age 15 in 1937, Prip began an apprenticeship with master silversmith Evald Nielsen, while attending high school.

[7] The apprenticeship experience taught diligence and a deeply rooted technical skill, but simultaneously imposed a restricted aesthetic.

In a way it was the unlearning of these traditional forms and procedures that pushed the young silversmith into bold experiments and motivated the innovations that distinguished his career.

Prip's position was unique: his Danish training provided him with firm technical grounding, while his American environment encouraged the attitude of exploration and innovation that became a hallmark of his career.

In 1953, Prip along with Ronald Hayes Pearson, Frans Wildenhain, Tage Frid, established a gallery in Rochester, New York called, Shop One.

[8][9] This gallery was a unique institution in its time, providing not only a business venture originated and managed by craftsmen, but also a forum for the presentation of top quality avant-garde craftwork.

It was understood that Prip had a responsibility to address himself to work that might eventually profit the company, but beyond that guidance no restrictions were imposed.