ABSTRACT
Book presentation, however, had behind it a much more important purpose in the book world of the Middle Ages than merely pleasing the recipient; while, of course, in many cases the author was entirely satisfied with a gracious reception, he looked to is patron for another form of assistance. The custom of representing the presentation of books in the work itself passed with the Middle Ages, though it is to be found even in the age of Elizabeth. The presentation copy after it had been approved by the prince was probably first shared among friends or the members of the court, and then sent forth to the public under the protection of the patron’s name. There is a phase of the matter of presentation of books which is so characteristic of the Middle Ages and its beautiful parchment, hand-made books, that it is not to be neglected: that is, the matter of manuscript illuminations.
