The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-01
A. Hoen 4 co., Lithographers.

fine display Of photographic work in all its
branches, from q visiting card 20 a railroad
bond and a plain label to an artistic chrome,
was made by the above firm at the State Fair.
Specimens of their patented llthocaustlc
work. a recess by which tue most delicate
effects are minutely and accurately produced.
are shown in the work made for the Agricul-
turai department OF the Nnited States Gov
rnment, and which is SO accurate and life
like that it has been pronounced the only re-
liable method for reproducing pictures from
nature.
An object Of special interest is an old litho-
graphic hand press. which was built IN Au-
gusta. Ga. and was used 10 print the COnfed-
crate bank notes. Messrs. a. BOen 4 Co..
have had many flatterIng O8ers from parties
70 purchase this old veteran press. but have
always refused 70 part with It, having deter
mined 10 donate II 10 the Museum OF COnied-
crate Relics as soon as the authorltiesln charge
are ready TO receive 1t.
Mr.. Ernest A. HOen. the head OF the Rich
mond branch of the old firm of A. Hoen ~
Co. photographers and pOwer-press printers.
comes naturally by the business ability and
artistic sense which have marked his career
from the beginning. He was born on the tn
day Of September. 1851, in the city of lalti-
more, and was care lilly reared amid sur
r~oundinss of wealth and refinement. Alter a
thorough education. which included q c0llegi-
ale course. be entered his fathers firm IL Baltl-
more. and beginning at the bottom OF the
ladder he brought every resource OF his we'll
trained mind to bear on mastering every de-
tail OF the business. In this he was quickly
successful, and when an opportunity offered
for him 10 branch out Tor himself and extend
the connections of tho Baltimore house. he
found himself thoroughly equipped.
After the war the photographic business IN
Richmond. Va in common with many other
industries in that stricken city. languished
and fell of until the last OF four formerly
lourishing concerns failed in 1877. A. Hoen
q Co. purchased the plant OF this concern IN
1877 and sent the subject OF this sketch OF
Richmond 20 take charge of the branch
house. He started out with but one press
and nine employees. but ambition. industry.
and trained skill produced their usual results,
and the Richmond house grew gra tually and
steadily. until now its trade extends all over
the Southern states aud Il constantly lncreas-
ing. The growth of the business can perhaps
best be shown by contrasting its present plant
and facilities with those which Br. ttoen
found when he went 10 Richmond four
teen years ago. In 1877 there was a small
factory containing but one press to-day A..
Hoen a Co. occupy the finest factOry-bulldlng
in the city of Richmond. situated opposite the
Capitol Square and commanding a view OIlts
famous statues of Washington, jackson and
Clay. In this building are ten fine new
presses capable OF turning out the met
work. and in place of the nine employees OF
fourteen years ago. eighty skilled men are
constantly employed there. The capacity OF
the business was doubled in the latter part
of 1880 and in the beginning OF this year. but
in spite of this large increase in the facilities
OF the company the demand for this work has
increased -correspondingly and they are barely
able TO fill their orders. This gratifying con-
dition OF aaairs is due in part t. the excel
lence of the work they produce and in 10
small degree to the wise and efficient man
aeement of the Richmond house By its
founder, Mr.. HOen.
Mr.. Hoen is as popular socially as be IS IN bust
ness circles. lie has a charming home in Rich
mond. where he lives with his wife and two
children. both boys. who. il they inherit the
business ability of their father and grand
father. may tie expected to take a prominent
place anon. ths photographers OF the next
generation.