SC - Apple Butter Question

[LrdRas@aol.com]

In a message dated 6/12/98 11:26:18 PM Eastern Daylight Time, RuddR at aol.com
writes:

<< "Mass market production" in the Middle Ages is not to be confused
 with what we now understand by that term. >>

I am not aware of any "commersial" type set-ups as are theorizing. The usual
way a nobleman aquired books was to hire a calligrapher to copy a work from
someone else's library, IIRC. At least this was the most common way of
acquiring tomes during the Middle Ages. Of course, this was not the case after
the printing press became established in Europe.

IMO, there is no need to theorize a "commersial book source. Libraries were
restricted to the wealthy and a collection of 10 works would have been a
modest library. There is , however, evidence of an active
calligrapher's/illuminator's type of service with famous people being paid
decently to reproduce and/or create works. An example would be the Duc de
Berry's Book of Hours. 

I agree with His Grace that there is no evidence that cooksbooks were produced
commercially before 1450 C.E. The rarity of such manuscripts, along with the
manner in which they were produced plus the social status of the houses extant
copies originated from clearly point to special volumes created by specialized
craftsmen.

Ras
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