To write the complete history of the printing press would require years of patient labor and research, and a much larger space than the limits of the present work will permit.  There are few subjects more attractive or more worthy of consideration than the history of this wonderful invention, which seems more like a romance than a narration of facts.  The historian who should essay the task would be required to carry his reader back to the darkest ages of the world, and, beginning with the stamps used for affixing hieroglyphical characters to the now crumbling ruins of Egypt and Nineveh, trace the gradual development of the beneficent conception from the signets of the Israelites, and the stamps used by the Romans for marking certain kinds of merchandise, through the rude process of the Chinese, Japanese, and Tartars, to the invention of Johannes Guttenberg, and, finally, to the wonderful lightning steam-presses of to-day.

In these pages it is not proposed to offer to the reader any such narrative.  On the contrary, the story of the printing press will be taken up just as it was on the point of reaching its greatest perfection, since our subject concerns only the man who brought it to that state.

This man, RICHARD MARCH HOE by name, was born in the city of New York, on the 12th of September, 1812.  His father, Robert Hoe, was a native of the village of Hose, Leicester, England, and the son of a wealthy farmer.  Disliking his father’s pursuit, he apprenticed himself to a carpenter.  When only sixteen years old, the elder Hoe purchased his indentures from his master and sailed for the United States.  He was almost penniless when he reached New York, and in this condition entered the store of Mr. Grant Thorburn one day in search of employment.  Mr. Thorburn manifested a sudden and strong liking to the youth, took him to his own house, and when he was prostrated with the yellow fever, during the epidemic of 1804, nursed him tenderly throughout.  Setting to work immediately upon his arrival in New York, he made friends rapidly, and prospered in his trade so well that when but twenty years old he was able to marry.  His bride was a daughter of Matthew Smith, of Westchester, and a sister of Peter Smith, the inventor of the hand printing press, which bears his name.  With this gentleman and Matthew Smith, jr., his brother, Robert Hoe entered into partnership.  Their business was that of carpentering and printers’ joinery; but after Peter Smith had completed the invention of his hand press, it gradually grew into the manufacture of presses and printers’ materials.  Both of the brothers died in 1823, and Robert Hoe succeeded to the entire business.

The manufactory of “Robert Hoe & Co.” was originally located in the centre of the old block between Pearl and William Streets, and Pine Street and Maiden Lane.  Soon after their establishment there, the city authorities ran Cedar Street right through their building, and they removed to Gold Street, near John.  They have been twice burned out here, but still occupy these premises with their counting-room and lower shop.