Eugène de Montserrat (September 14, 1840 - March 21, 1917) was a Swiss-French engineer and geologist active in the middle part of the 19th century. Montserrat was born in Geneva. He studied at the École Centrale des Arts et Manufactures French Expeditionary Force's Commission Scientifique du Mexique, as a 'geological traveler more specifically in charge of the study of volcanic formations.' Along with fellow geologist Auguste Dollfus he traveled throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and Salvador climbing mountains, studying the region's unique geological makeup, and making detailed maps. More by this mapmaker...

Auguste Dollfus (March 30, 1840 - July 3, 1869) was a French geologist and naturalist active in Central America during the middle part of the 19th century. The son of a wealthy ship owner of La Havre, Dollfus was well traveled, and even as a child visited Europe, North Africa, Constantinople, Palestine and Egypt. In 1861he began studying at the École des Mines de Paris and, upon graduating, took a position with the French Expeditionary Force's Commission Scientifique du Mexique as a 'traveling photographer and paleontologist.' Along with fellow Geologist Eugène de Montserrat he traveled throughout Mexico, Guatemala, and Salvador climbing mountains, studying the region's unique geological makeup, and making detailed maps. He returned to Paris in 1867 to compile his research, which earned him a French Legion of Honor, but unfortunately, illnesses (Malaria?) contracted in Central America led to an untimely demise in 1869. He was just 29 years old. Learn More...

Georges Erhard Schièble (1823 – November 23, 1880) was a German printer active in Paris during the middle to late 19th century. Erhard was born in Forchheim, Baden-Württemberg, and relocated to Paris in his 16th year, where he apprenticed under his cousin, an engraver and mapmaker. In 1852, after 6 years with the Royal Printing Office, he started his own business. Around this time, he also became a naturalized French citizen. From his offices on Rue Bonaparte, he produced several important maps, and a detailed topography of Gaul for Napoleon III's History of Julius Caesar. In 1865 he took on larger offices expanding his operations to include a lithographic press. He was among the first to introduce printed color maps and pioneered photo-reduction, including the process known as Erhard reproduction. After Erhard's death in 1880, the firm was taken over by his sons and run under the imprint of 'Erhard Frères' until 1911. Learn More...