Recovered Record · Facsimile · Two Leaves

CERTIFICATE OF THE GENERAL INVENTORY

Taken the 19th of October, 1788, beginning at dusk

We the undersigned, having counted every holding of this house against the catalogue, shelf by shelf and hand to hand, do certify the count complete and true, viz.:

Holdings counted: 11,308
Catalogue expects: 11,309

The count stands one short of the catalogue. The deficient entry could not be identified, each shelf answering correctly to its neighbours.

Josiah Merrick, head cataloguerCERTIFIED · FIRST COUNT

CERTIFICATE OF THE GENERAL INVENTORY

Taken the same night, in correction of the first, concluding before the bell

The first count being deficient, the count was made again in its entirety, the doors remaining barred throughout and no person entering or departing. We certify:

Holdings counted: 11,310
Catalogue expects: 11,309

The count stands one long of the catalogue. The surplus entry could not be identified, each shelf answering correctly to its neighbours.

Josiah Merrick, head cataloguerCERTIFIED · SECOND COUNT

CONSERVATOR'S NOTE (Reopening survey): Both certificates are authentic and were filed together, uncancelled, which the regulations of the period do not permit. The two signatures are not merely alike; under magnification they are identical, stroke for stroke, in a way two livings signings are not. A letter of resignation from Mr. Merrick survives, dated the 18th — the day before the count he certified twice. Between the entries at which the two counts disagree, the shelf sequence passes room 18 and resumes at room 20. The numbering is correct.

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