on 1 july 1799, the firm was acquired by johann friedrich pierer (1767–1832), and became known as pierer'sche hofbuchdruckerei. pierer was a physician and in 1826 became the official physician to the duke. the book publishing company was owned by the pierer family until 1871. during this time, the firm achieved international acclaim with published works that included "pierer's universal-lexikon" , an encyclopedia edited by heinrich august pierer (1st ed. 1824–1826). in 1843, eugen pierer (1823–1890), one of h.a. pierer's sons, joined the business. the leipzig-altenburg railway – completed september 19, 1842 – greatly enhanced the supply chain from pierer'sche hofbuchdruckerei to bookdealers in leipzig. the business managed to endure in the throes of the 1848 german revolution in saxony. upon the death of h.a. pierer in 1850, eugen became the sole managing director. in 1859, eugen's brother, alfred (1836–1901), joined the company and eugen, henceforth, narrowed his responsibility to printing.