In what year was the initial Messier Catalog list first published, and how many objects did it contain then?

Answer

1771 with 45 objects

Messier first published a list containing 45 objects in 1771, which included objects he discovered and those previously known.

In what year was the initial Messier Catalog list first published, and how many objects did it contain then?
astronomydeep-sky objectscelestial objectsCatalogcatalogueMessierCharles Messier