Huber & Lerner
Vienna’s Master of Paper Culture and Bespoke Printing
1. Identity & Presence
Fischer & Huber-Pock GmbH, operating under the renowned name Huber & Lerner, stands as a distinguished Viennese institution specializing in high-quality stationery, bespoke printing, fine paper goods, leather items, and writing instruments. Located at the historic address of Weihburggasse 4, 1010 Wien, Austria, the company is easily reached via its official website, www.huber-lerner.at, or by phone at +43 1 533 50 75. For direct inquiries, their email address is office@huber-lerner.at. The company firmly situates itself within the sector of luxury stationery and custom printing, particularly highlighting its expertise in "paper culture" and custom-made print materials for all social and business occasions.
Company Huber & Lerner on Instagram
2. The Origin Story & Key Figures
The Huber & Lerner story began in 1901 when Franz Huber and Peter Lerner, two esteemed salesmen from Vienna's then-prominent stationery firm Theyer & Hardtmuth, forged a friendship and decided to embark on their own venture. Their initial modest shop opened in Rotenturmstraße but quickly outgrew its space. Driven by a vision for excellence in printing and stationery, they relocated after just one year to a more spacious premises on the prestigious Kohlmarkt, adjacent to the Imperial Court, where the firm would reside for a century. The business has proudly remained a family-owned enterprise, with leadership passing through dedicated generations. The founders, Franz Huber and Peter Lerner, laid the groundwork for enduring success. Their rigorous approach included extensive international travel to study production processes, graphic design, and the intricate etiquette of official stationery, setting the exacting standards the company maintains to this day. The second generation saw Rudolf Huber-Pock (Franz Huber's son) and Kommerzialrat Heinrich Lerner (Peter Lerner's son) assume key roles, with Rudolf emphasizing impeccable personal customer service and Heinrich dedicating himself to expanding the in-house printing works. The third generation, Hon.-Prof. Dr. Franz Huber-Pock (Rudolf's son) and KommR Dr. Peter Lerner (Heinrich's son), led the company from 1981, with Franz Huber-Pock notably fostering customer relationships and expanding the print business, including acquiring prestigious clients like the Jordanian Royal Family. In 2006, the Lerner family formally withdrew from the business, and the firm transitioned fully into the hands of the fourth generation of the Huber family: Mag. Pia Huber-Pock and Johannes Huber-Pock, BA, who continue to uphold and evolve the esteemed heritage.
3. The Core of the Craft
Huber & Lerner’s signature offerings encompass an extensive array of stationery and bespoke printed materials tailored for both social and business occasions. This includes everything from exquisite wedding invitations, personalized calling cards, and fine writing paper to elegant graduation announcements, thoughtful death notices, and professional letterhead stationery for companies. Beyond print, their carefully curated selection extends to fine paper goods, luxurious leather items, and premium writing instruments. The unique quality and artistic merit of their craft are fundamentally defined by their unwavering maxim: all products are "custom-made" with a meticulous attention to detail and quality that takes time to ensure. Their excellence stems from a comprehensive in-house approach, featuring an expert graphics department for individual designs and specialized printing processes. They are masters of traditional techniques such as steel engraving (Stahlstichprägung) and copperplate engraving (Kupferstich), which lend a distinctive tactile and visual elegance to their creations, alongside modern offset printing and thermographic printing. Each order begins with a detailed customer consultation, ensuring that individual visions are translated precisely into bespoke designs, personally supervised through every stage of production until delivery. Their core values of tradition, quality, individuality, and personal service are deeply ingrained in every practice, fostering a unique "paper culture."
4. Enduring Legacy & Resilience
Huber & Lerner's ability to thrive for over a century stems from a distinct "secret sauce" rooted in their unwavering commitment to specialization and personalized excellence. They differentiate themselves from others in their branch by relentlessly focusing on custom-made, high-quality products and rare printing techniques like steel engraving, which mass production cannot replicate. This is complemented by an "impeccable, personal customer service" that has fostered enduring client relationships. While expanding their product range to include leather goods and writing instruments, they have steadfastly preserved their mastery of exclusive traditional crafts. The consistent, multi-generational family leadership further ensures continuity, dedication to their founding principles, and the continuous evolution of their esteemed craft. Their enduring success is also underpinned by a profound belief in the timelessness and emotional value of physical correspondence and fine paper in an increasingly digital world, setting them apart from those who have not adapted or perished. Throughout its history, Huber & Lerner has navigated significant challenges. They endured the profound disruptions of war periods (notably WWII, during which Heinrich Lerner steered the company while Rudolf Huber-Pock was enlisted) and broader economic shifts. Their strategies for adaptation and resilience include strategic acquisitions, such as taking over the imperial-linked firm Theyer & Hardtmuth in 1931, which allowed them to consolidate their market position and expand. They also diversified their offerings, notably under Peter Lerner who introduced major luxury brands like Montblanc, while remaining steadfast in their commitment to custom-made, high-quality, and personalized services. This dedication has allowed them to carve out and maintain a unique and irreplaceable niche in the market.
5. Vision for the Future
In a constantly evolving world, Huber & Lerner envisions ensuring its traditions, craftsmanship, and core values remain relevant and cherished by meticulously upholding its motto, "Service from Tradition." This involves a continuous effort to blend historical craftsmanship with contemporary design, enabled by their in-house graphic department that precisely implements individual customer wishes. They are committed to highlighting the "timeless magic of stationery and hand-written letters" as a vital counterpoint to the fast-paced, often ephemeral nature of digital communication. Their future relevance lies in continuing to provide bespoke solutions that champion individuality and quality, aspects unmatched by mass-produced alternatives. The company implicitly sees itself and its industry in the next 100 years as indispensable purveyors of lasting value, catering to a discerning clientele who appreciate the tangible beauty, quality, and personal touch of fine paper goods and traditional printing. Their enduring heritage is not merely a historical footnote but the absolute core of their future. It provides the foundation for their unique identity, the mastery of rare crafts like steel and copperplate engraving, and the deep trust built over generations. This heritage allows them to offer a service and product experience that is inherently timeless, irreplaceable, and deeply meaningful in any era.