19th-century printed dedications as a form of book recommendation

A printed dedication is usually addressed to a particular person. However, since it is included in every copy of the book, it reaches all readers. Its content, often expanded in the 19th century, provided a wealth of interesting information about the author, book and addressee. Many elements in dedications could encourage people to buy or read the books containing them. For example, authors of these dedications cited scientific authorities or mentioned the titles of works already known to readers. Sometimes dedications presented the content of the books or were related to them