Gift books, literary annuals, or keepsakes were 19th-century books, often lavishly decorated, which collected essays, short fiction, and poetry. They were primarily published in the autumn, in time for the holiday season and were intended to be given away rather than read by the purchaser.[1] They were often printed with the date of the coming new year, but copyrighted with the actual year of publication.[2]
- ^ "Bartlebys.com". The Cambridge History Of English And American Literature chapter 20. Retrieved 2008-04-15.
- ^ Spolsky, Ellen (2004). Iconotropism: Turning Toward Pictures (Hardcover ed.). New Jersey: Bucknell University Press. ISBN 0838755429. (page 201)