[2] For the first ten years, Colton licensed the use of maps from established cartographers[2] such as David H. Burr.

Colton also employed some of the preeminent engravers of the time, including Burr, Samuel Stiles, John Disturnell and D. Griffing Johnson.

[1] In 1857, Colton was awarded a $25,000 commission by the Government of Bolivia to produce 2500 large maps of the country.

Colton pursued a high-profile legal case against the Bolivian and Peruvian governments and after considerable delay was awarded $100,000 in compensation and damages.

[4] In 1859, Colton published a Hand-book to Kansas Territory and the Rocky Mountains' Gold Region; accompanied by reliable maps and a preliminary treatise on the pre-emption laws of the United States, by James Redpath and Richard J. Hinton.