Basic Biographical Details Name: | George Bell I | Designation: | | Born: | 31 July 1814 | Died: | 4 January 1887 | Bio Notes: | George Bell was born on 31 July 1814 in Jedburgh, (the son of John Bell and Agnes Donaldson -W J Johnston- probably erroneous) and James Bell, builder and his wife Margaret Briggs (Iain Paterson), and joined the office of William Burn, having previously worked in the London office of Archibald Elliot II and his brother Alexander. In 1841 he made a joint competition entry with William Clarke (born 1809), while both were still in Burn's employ, for Lanarkshire County Buildings and the Merchant's House of Glasgow in which it was 'a condition…that each of the buildings was to have its individuality, but that together they would be in harmony'. Their design - what seems to be their perspective is now in NMRS - appears to have drawn inspiration from Harvey Lonsdale Elmes's original designs for St George's Hall and The Assize Courts in Liverpool when these were separate projects: Bell may have seen these when still in London. As a result of their success in the competition they formed a partnership which at once attained a place in the foremost rank of Scottish architects, a position consolidated by being premiated in the Edinburgh Free Church College competition two years later. The commission for the latter was, however, given to William Henry Playfair. By at least 1843 Clarke and Bell had opened an office in Glasgow at 135 Buchanan Street which seems to have also been their home address, a move further encouraged by the first of several commissions for the reconstruction of the Justiciary Courts in 1845. Together with Baird and Wilson, Clarke and Bell were the principal beneficiaries of the collapse of the D & J Hamilton/James Smith partnership in 1844.
Of the two partners, Clarke was the more active in public affairs. It was, however, Bell who sought membership of the RIBA during the Charles Barry Jun. - John Honeyman recruiting campaign, Clarke being by then sixty-nine and nearing retirement. Bell was admitted FRIBA on 16 December 1878, his proposers being John Baird II, John Honeyman and James Thomson.
Clarke's is the more readily identifiable architectural personality, with a marked predilection for shallow relief and Corinthian pilasters, his style changing little during his long career. The more three-dimensional columnar treatments and richer detail of the Caledonian and North British Insurance buildings were probably Bell's. In contrast to their refined classicism, their Gothic buildings were spiky, angular and hard-edged, perhaps influenced by the work of Billings.
Bell married twice; first to Beatrice Turnbull and then to Eliza Jenkins Turner. He died of encephalitis on 4 January 1887 at Invereoch Cottage, Kilmun. The practice, by then a loose partnership with Robert Alexander Bryden, (b. 1841), was continued by his son George Bell II (b. 1854), who had been articled to the firm in 1869 and became a partner in 1880. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | Invereoch Cottage, Kilmun, Argyll, Scotland | Private | | 1887 | | ![Item 2 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | Tyne Castle Cottage, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1840 | 1841 | May be George Bell I of Clarke & Bell who moved to Glasgow to undertake the building of the City & County Buildings after winning the competition. | ![Item 3 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | Edgerston, Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, Scotland | Private | 1841 | | | ![Item 4 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 135, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private/business | 1843 | 1845 | | ![Item 5 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | Lower Mosesfield, Springburn, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1851 | 1854 | | ![Item 6 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 51, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1851 | 1856 | | ![Item 7 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | Florence Place, Stanley Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1856 | | | ![Item 8 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 2, Bank Street, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1860 | | | ![Item 9 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 37, West Nile Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1860 | 1875 | | ![Item 10 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 2, St Bernard Place, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1862 | | | ![Item 11 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 4, Viewfield Terrace, Hillhead, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1864 | | | ![Item 12 of 12](images/table_item.gif) | 212, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1880 | 1887 | and to after 1930 for Clarke & Bell) |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | ![Item 1 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | William Burn | After 1820(?) | 1841 | Assistant | | ![Item 2 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Archibald Elliot II | c. 1820(?) | Before 1841(?) | Apprentice | In office of Elliot with Elliot's brother Alexander. | ![Item 3 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Clarke & Bell | 1841 | Before 1887 | Partner | | ![Item 4 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Clarke & Bell and R A Bryden | 1875(?) | Before 1887 | Partner | |
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | ![Item 1 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | John Baird the Second | 16 December 1878 | for Fellowship | ![Item 2 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | John Honeyman | 16 December 1878 | for Fellowship | ![Item 3 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | James Thomson | 16 December 1878 | for Fellowship |
RIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | David Barclay | 3 January 1881 | for Fellowship | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | John Bennie Wilson | 28 February 1910 | for Fellowship |
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | ![Item 1 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | | Agricultural College | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extensions - date unknown | ![Item 2 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | | Blackburn, feuing plan | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Date unknown (1915 plans appear to be by another hand), therefore it is uncertain which partners were involved | ![Item 3 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | | Earlston School | Earlston | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Date unknown | ![Item 4 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | | Manse at Cove | Cove | | | Scotland | Date unknown | ![Item 5 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1842 | City and County Buildings and second Merchants' House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | S & W sections including second Merchants' House | ![Item 6 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1844(?) | National Bank of Scotland and Square of Business Chambers | Shawlands | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design (probably), though it may relate to Municipal Buildings proposal of 1873 | ![Item 7 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1846 | Abattoir, north side | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 8 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1846 | Dodridge Farm House | Hopetoun | | West Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 9 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1846 | St Leonards | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 10 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | After 1846 | Abattoirs and Meat Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original abbatoirs | ![Item 11 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1848 | Anderston Free Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1848 | Barony Poorhouse | Foresthill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building (including porter's lodge) | ![Item 13 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1848 | Inverdon | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 14 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1848 | Victoria Park feuing | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1849 | Biggar Parish School | Biggar | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 16 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1849 | Justiciary Court Houses | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 17 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1849 | School | Alloway | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1849 | Schoolhouse | Alloway | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1850s(?) | Cambusdoon House | Alloway | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Plans drawn up for vinery | ![Item 20 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1852 | Triangular block of shops, Jail Square | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 21 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1853 | North British Insurance (Assurance) Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1854 | Ayr Fort feuing | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 23 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1854 | Jedburgh Free Church | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 24 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1854 | Caledonian Insurance Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1855 | Market Inn | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 26 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Bakery buildings | | | | Scotland | | ![Item 27 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Brisbane Villa | | | Ayrshire? | Scotland | Porch | ![Item 28 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Dalziel Parish School | Dalziel | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Dolphinton House and lodge | | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Gate lodge - perhaps prepared plans for work on house as well and certainly for greenhouse. | ![Item 30 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Gatelodge for Mr Kerr | Gareloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Gothic villa for Mr Montgomrie [sic] | | | | | | ![Item 32 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Hayston House, Lodge | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | ![Item 33 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Hunthill House | Jedburgh? | | Roxburghshire? | Scotland | Alterations, screen in corridor etc | ![Item 34 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Hunthill House, stable offices | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 35 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Italian villa for Robert Henderson | | | Belfast | Northern Ireland | | ![Item 36 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Kayenne Cottage | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Lady Belhaven's School | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 38 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Mission Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 39 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Mission Church | Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plans drawn up - not selected | ![Item 40 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Monument to Mr Robertson | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Royal Theatre | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 42 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Shopfront for Arnott & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 43 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Stanley Villa | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 44 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Tombstone for J S Fleming | Campsie | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | ![Item 45 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Villa | Campsie | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Villa for Mr Murdoch | | | | | | ![Item 47 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1855 | Villa for Thomas Reid | Garliston | | Lanarkshire? | Scotland | | ![Item 48 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1857 | Ledcameroch | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 49 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1857 | Lochbrae | Bearsden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 50 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1858 | Baronscourt Church | | | Ulster | Northern Ireland | | ![Item 51 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1859 | Abington House | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 52 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1859 | Justiciary Court Houses | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further reconstruction work | ![Item 53 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860s | Abattoir, south side | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 54 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860s | Hawick Corn Exchange | Hawick | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Plans drawn up - not executed | ![Item 55 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860s | Motherwell First (United) UP Church | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Prepared pans - but John Grahame Peat secured commission | ![Item 56 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860 | Arkleton House | Langholm | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | Original house | ![Item 57 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860 | Corn Exchange | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | 'Builder' says he was responsible | ![Item 58 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860 | Darlington Place UP Church | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 59 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860 | Milton Rooms | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Conversion of Milton Rooms to Magnet Music Hall | ![Item 60 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1860 | Water Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 61 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1861 | Glasgow Royal Infirmary Surgical Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Added to Adam's infirmary | ![Item 62 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1861 | Hamilton Burgh Buildings | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 63 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1862 | Blantyre Parish Church | Blantyre | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1862 | Scottish National Albert Memorial | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design | ![Item 65 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1863 | Slaughter Houses, Market Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 66 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1866 | Property at High Street and Exchange Street | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 67 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1866 | Manchester Town Hall | | | Manchester | England | Competition design | ![Item 68 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1867 | Alexandra Music Hall | Cowcaddens | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 69 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1867 | Langbank UP Church | Langbank | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Competition design | ![Item 70 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1867 | Theatre Royal | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building | ![Item 71 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1868 | City and County Buildings and second Merchants' House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions to the east (Brunswick Street) | ![Item 72 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1868 | Jamestown Parish Church | Jamestown | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Blantyre design reused | ![Item 73 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1870 | Girvan UP Church | Girvan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 74 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1871 | City and County Buildings and second Merchants' House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Northern section - Council Chambers and Municipal Offices in Ingram Street | ![Item 75 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1871 | St Andrews Free Church | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | ![Item 76 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1872 | Hillhead Town Hall | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 77 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1873 | Fish Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 78 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1873 | Johnstone Memorial Church | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 79 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1874 | Dunoon UP Church | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 80 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1874 | Lenzie Chapel of Ease | Lenzie | | Dunbartonshire/Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 81 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1874 | Premises, Cadogan Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 82 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1875 | Clyde Spinning Mill | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 83 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1875 | Home for Destitute Children | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 84 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1875 | Partick, Hillhead and Maryhill Joint Hospital for Infectious Diseases | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building | ![Item 85 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1876 | Western Baths | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 86 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1876 | Cadzow Parish Church, Hamilton | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 87 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1877 | Ayr Town Hall | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Extension to High Street, and alterations - placed second in competition | ![Item 88 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1877 | Drill Hall and Headquarters for 1st Lanark Rifles | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 89 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | June 1877 | Trades House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plans for new building submitted for invited competition; subsequently abandoned after failure to reach a decision | ![Item 90 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1878 | Ayr Academy | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 91 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1880 | Dunoon Infants' School | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 92 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1880 | Redheugh | Kilbirnie | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 93 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1881 | Trochraigue House | Girvan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Addition | ![Item 94 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1881 | Glasgow Municipal Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design entered under the pseudonym Clutha | ![Item 95 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1884 | Dalnair House | Drymen | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Buildings of Scotland wrongly ascribes this to James Bell, as does HS List | ![Item 96 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1884 | Dalnair House Lodge | Drymen | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | ![Item 97 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1884 | Seaman's Institute | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 98 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | Adamton | Monkton | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 99 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | 1886 | Broughton Parish Church | Calzeat | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Rebuilding | ![Item 100 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Bonhill Parish Church | Bonhill | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations? | ![Item 101 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Bothwell UP Church | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 102 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Campbell's Music Salon | | | Glasgow | Scotland | New entrance | ![Item 103 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Commercial Bank of Scotland, Trongate | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 104 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Design for a villa for Mr McNeill | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 105 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | East Kilbride UP Church | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 106 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Hotel | | | | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 107 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | House | | | | Scotland | Plans prepared | ![Item 108 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | House | | | | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 109 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Leck's Property | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plans drawn up | ![Item 110 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Manse | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 111 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr Adam Bryden's Cottage, Rachan Mill | Biggar (near) | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 112 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr Bannatyne's house | | | | | | ![Item 113 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr Keir's Villa | Garscadden | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 114 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr McCubbin's Villa | Langside Hill | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 115 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr Monteith's villa | Ascog | Bute | Argyll & Bute | Scotland | | ![Item 116 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Mr Robert Bell's villa | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 117 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Offices, West Nile Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations? | ![Item 118 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Rachan | Biggar | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 119 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Reformed Presbyterian Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 120 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Robertson Memorial Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 121 of 121](images/table_item.gif) | Mid 1800s | Springburn Manse | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory | 1868 | Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory | | London, Wyman | | ![Item 2 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | Post Office Directories | | | | | | ![Item 3 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Dunoon Sheriff Court Sc51/32/35 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 22 January 1887 | | | Obituary | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 12 November 1887 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Additional information from Iain Paterson | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v5 p121, microfiche 92/F6 - no job list |
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