Bound in Flesh

In a lovely collaboration between history, science, and literature, Harvard University confirmed today that one of their books is bound with human skin.  No, you did not read that wrong.  As early as the 16th century people sometimes bound books with humans.  Now, do not think this is some morbid punishment for criminals or some thrifty black market trick.  People actually desired to be flayed and turned into books as a way to immortalize themselves.  

Arsene Houssaye's "On the Destiny of the Soul" front cover

The book, Arsène Houssaye’s “Des destinées de l’ame” (On the Destiny of the Soul), contains a note stating it was bound with skin from the back of a woman.  This woman was probably not someone who wanted to be immortalized since she was a mental patient who died of natural causes.  Since no one claimed her body, she was fair game for becoming a book.  A note found in the book reveals the reason for binding with this peculiar medium: 

“This book is bound in human skin parchment on which no ornament has been stamped to preserve its elegance. By looking carefully you easily distinguish the pores of the skin. A book about the human soul deserved to have a human covering: I had kept this piece of human skin taken from the back of a woman. It is interesting to see the different aspects that change this skin according to the method of preparation to which it is subjected. Compare for example with the small volume I have in my library, Sever. Pinaeus de Virginitatis notis which is also bound in human skin but tanned with sumac.”

The patron, Dr. Ludovic Bouland, wrote this gruesome explanation and he was the one to bind it in human flesh.  Apparently, this bibliophile was quite a collector of books bound in human skin seeing as he had another one and was a connoisseur of the quality and elegance of such binding.  Being a doctor also allowed him access to bodies.

Despite the creepy, terrifying confirmation, I am sure Harvard is very excited about this discovery because these books are rare and the morbid curiosity of viewers will draw them to such a dark item.  This is especially fortuitous for Harvard because another book of their's believed to be bound in human skin just went through the same scientific experiments.  The scientists concluded the book was actually bound in sheepskin. 

Juan Gutiérrez’ Practicarum quaestionum circa leges regias Hispaniae front cover

People believed it was human because the book, Juan Gutiérrez’ Practicarum quaestionum circa leges regias Hispaniae (Madrid, 1605-1606), contains an inscription stating:

“The bynding of this booke is all that remains of my dear friende Jonas Wright, who was flayed alive by the Wavuma on the Fourth Day of August, 1632. King Mbesa did give me the book, it being one of poore Jonas chiefe possessions, together with ample of his skin to bynd it. Requiescat in pace.”

Maybe King Mbesa lied and just gave him sheepskin and wanted to keep the human skin for himself or maybe the king found it disgusting.  Maybe the dear friend Jonas was actually a sheep and this is just a creepy dedication to a pet.  No one knows as of right now.  

Another book bound in human skin exhibits a different reason for binding a book with a piece of someone.  This book is found in Surgeons' Hall museum in Edinburgh, England.  It is a pocket sized book with faded gold lettering saying ‘EXECUTED 28 JAN 1829’ and ‘BURKE’S SKIN POCKET BOOK.’   The binding on this book is William Burkes, a famous 19th century murder who killed 16 people to sell their bodies to anatomists.  Ironically, Burke was convicted, hung, and publicly dissected.  

William Burke front cover

Can you imagine holding and reading a book bound in human skin? Does is make your skin crawl?  Of course, today's views on such a subject are vastly different from opinions back then.  This is another example of the crazy, quirky, morbid aspects of history that most people would find appalling now