Re: "Collated & perfect" (fwd)

[Peter Kidd <pjk@bodley.ox.ac.uk>]

On Thu, 17 Oct 1996, Mr R Overell  noted:
> 
> Late in the 18th century Michael Wodhull was in the habit of noting 
> that the books in his collection were "collated complete".
> 

Since Wodhull's annotations have been mentioned, perhaps I may ask a 
tangential question.

As well his characteristic  inscriptions relating to on the date, source, 
and cost of volumes, and of their binding (see de Ricci, _English 
Collectors of Books and Manuscripts..._, p.81 ff.), Wodhull also 
frequently added a date on the flyleaf facing the last page of text, in 
both printed books and manuscripts.  Has anyone been able to work out what 
these dates refer to? I have been able to find no pattern in those I have 
examined.  Since they seem so random, my only guess is that they record 
the date on which he finished reading the book.  Does anyone have any 
views as to whether this is likely or unlikely?
 
Peter Kidd
pjk@bodley.ox.ac.uk