Knipe’s rare geological map of Scotland.

To the left of the map is an extensive key providing information upon geological composition, including marsh, shale, limestone, several sandstones, coal, clay, slate, quartz, granite, and porphyry, iron, copper, and lead. Below the map the is a section of geological formations, stretching from the Isle of Lewis to the Isle of Wight, and including examples of Hypozoic, Alaeozoic, Mesozoic, Cainozoic, and Volcanic formations. Other sections include the River Jed, The Maidens Paps Roxburgh, Pittenween and St Monance coal fields, Muirkirk coal field, and a section from Edinburgh Castle to Arthur’s Seat.

The present map “was the first large-scale geological map of Scotland to have appeared since Macculloch’s 1836 map, and the first attempt to bring together the wealth of detailed geological information that had appeared (primarily in the ‘Prize Essays and Transactions of the Highland Society of Scotland’) during the intervening twenty-six year period since Macculloch completed his mapping in 1832” (Toland).

The map was generally favourably received at the time with ‘The Glasgow Herald’, 23rd February 1859 noting: “Both the geographer and geologist will find Mr Knipe’s map deserving of their attention… [the map] supplying a desideratum in Scottish geology”. Knipe would later go on to published revised editions in 1859, 1861, 1864, and 1878. However, despite theses efforts it would appear – due to the few surviving examples – that the map was not a commercial success.

The first edition of the second issue; the publication date reads 9 September 1858 but the date 1859 has been added to the title. The second issue is known in three states. The present map is an example of the first state, which lacks the cross-section of Elgin.

Rare; Toland’s paper upon Knipe lists only two institutional examples for this state: Bristol University, and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.