"(This map) is by James Alexander Knipe, a bit of a character, it seems, referred to as an "itinerant map-maker", who worked in the same period as William Smith as well as Greenough and his gang and had some of the same problems with what we would now call "intellectual property rights". I came across a biography in the Journal of Earth Sciences History, (Toland et al, 2013) which notes that in 1827 Knipe was accused of embezzling "property belonging to Messers Nichols, Priestly and Walker, of Wakefield, the publishers of a projected map of England, exhibiting the inland navigations". Various suits and counter accusations ensued. In 1835 however, he published in a joint venture with J & C Walker, "A Geological Map of England and Wales showing also the inland navigations by means of rivers and canals." One of J & C is the same Walker, who accused him, one presumes. The first 2 versions of the map, dated 18 September 1835, indicate "By J & C Walker and J A Knipe", but in two subsequent states Knipe's name has been blanked out. So it seems that there was some falling out between them -- perhaps something to do with Knipe publishing his own version in 1837. The map I have is one of those that is missing Knipe's name. As a result J & C Walker are often attributed as the authors, but were essentially publishers/engravers, while Knipe was the geologist. The map is dissected into 32 sections (4x8) and mounted on linen, folding to 27 1/2 x 19 cm to slide into a slip case in the form of a mock book bound in maroon cloth with marbled edges. Red leather label with the gilt imprint "Geology Railroads &c of England & Wales". Below the southern map border is a "Geological and Mineralogical Section from the Lands End to the German Ocean". The North Eastern corner has an elaborate "Explanation of the Colours" wherein 23 "formations" are described on the basis of their "mineral character". The Southwest corner has a long note on the "Metalliferous tracts of England and Wales". These areas are coloured in darker hues within the coloured formations, and indicate where there are potential mining areas. According to Toland et al (2013) it is the 4th state of the map, carrying the date 18 December 1935, (but likely published 1837). Just visible below J & C Walker's name is the blank rectangle caused by a small strip of foil that was used to block out Knipe's name. This map was published in parallel with the Smith/Greenough controversy, before the final Greenough map, so still very early in the history of geological mapping when such maps were still evolving. Knipe's map was substantially different in approach from the Smith/Greenough maps -- being much more oriented to the actual nature of the rocks rather than the age or stratigraphic sequence. That, combined with the addition of roads, canals and railways meant his maps were more relevant to economic development. Knipe labelled his self-published maps as "Geological and Mineralogical" to emphasize this. Toland et al indicate that sales of his maps (updated regularly) were good until eroded by the publication of Ravenstein's map, ca 1862, Greenough's 1865 edition, and subsequently Geikie, leading it seems to Knipe having financial difficulties." (Dr. Ian Crain, 2020).
pub_note
"(This map) is by James Alexander Knipe, a bit of a character, it seems, referred to as an "itinerant map-maker", who worked in the same period as William Smith as well as Greenough and his gang and had some of the same problems with what we would now call "intellectual property rights". I came across a biography in the Journal of Earth Sciences History, (Toland et al, 2013) which notes that in 1827 Knipe was accused of embezzling "property belonging to Messers Nichols, Priestly and Walker, of Wakefield, the publishers of a projected map of England, exhibiting the inland navigations". Various suits and counter accusations ensued. In 1835 however, he published in a joint venture with J & C Walker, "A Geological Map of England and Wales showing also the inland navigations by means of rivers and canals." One of J & C is the same Walker, who accused him, one presumes. The first 2 versions of the map, dated 18 September 1835, indicate "By J & C Walker and J A Knipe", but in two subsequent states Knipe's name has been blanked out. So it seems that there was some falling out between them -- perhaps something to do with Knipe publishing his own version in 1837. The map I have is one of those that is missing Knipe's name. As a result J & C Walker are often attributed as the authors, but were essentially publishers/engravers, while Knipe was the geologist. The map is dissected into 32 sections (4x8) and mounted on linen, folding to 27 1/2 x 19 cm to slide into a slip case in the form of a mock book bound in maroon cloth with marbled edges. Red leather label with the gilt imprint "Geology Railroads &c of England & Wales". Below the southern map border is a "Geological and Mineralogical Section from the Lands End to the German Ocean". The North Eastern corner has an elaborate "Explanation of the Colours" wherein 23 "formations" are described on the basis of their "mineral character". The Southwest corner has a long note on the "Metalliferous tracts of England and Wales". These areas are coloured in darker hues within the coloured formations, and indicate where there are potential mining areas. According to Toland et al (2013) it is the 4th state of the map, carrying the date 18 December 1935, (but likely published 1837). Just visible below J & C Walker's name is the blank rectangle caused by a small strip of foil that was used to block out Knipe's name. This map was published in parallel with the Smith/Greenough controversy, before the final Greenough map, so still very early in the history of geological mapping when such maps were still evolving. Knipe's map was substantially different in approach from the Smith/Greenough maps -- being much more oriented to the actual nature of the rocks rather than the age or stratigraphic sequence. That, combined with the addition of roads, canals and railways meant his maps were more relevant to economic development. Knipe labelled his self-published maps as "Geological and Mineralogical" to emphasize this. Toland et al indicate that sales of his maps (updated regularly) were good until eroded by the publication of Ravenstein's map, ca 1862, Greenough's 1865 edition, and subsequently Geikie, leading it seems to Knipe having financial difficulties." (Dr. Ian Crain, 2020).
Pub Note
false