Some of nation's best libraries have books bound in human skin

DepthsofSpace · 11-23-2007, 03:46 PM

Old Artilce in the Boston Globe

http://www.boston.com/news/local/rho...in_human_skin/

"The library has three books bound in human skin -- the anatomy text and two 19th century editions of "The Dance of Death," a medieval morality tale.

One copy of "The Dance of Death" dates to 1816 but was rebound in 1893 by Joseph Zaehnsdorf, a master binder in London. A note to his client reports that he did not have enough skin and had to split it. The front cover, bound in the outer layer of the epidermis, has a slightly bumpy texture, like soft sandpaper. The spine and back cover, made from the inner layer of skin, feels like suede.

Zaehnsdorf probably left the covers plain to showcase the material, Streit said.

Brown's other "Dance of Death" edition, done in 1898, is more elaborately decorated with inlays of black leather and a gold-tooled skull. But a closer examination reveals the pores of the skin's former owner.

The story, Streit said, is about how death prevails over all, rich or poor. As with many of the skin-bound books, "there was some tie in with the content of the book," he said."

That is so Goth. =P

Kinda creepy, though interesting..

Cyntrox · 11-23-2007, 04:01 PM

I want to be a book D:

DepthsofSpace · 11-23-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyntrox

I want to be a book D:

I have an old friend I need to send this too, though it might creep her out. She's a major book-a-holic.

Renatus · 11-23-2007, 04:21 PM

We had a thread about this once before I think.

HumanePain · 11-23-2007, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Renatus

We had a thread about this once before I think.

Quite right, almost 2 years ago:

https://www.gothic.net/boards/showth...ght=Human+skin

Good memory Renatus.

StasisInDarkness · 11-24-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyntrox

I want to be a book D:

Me too! Who would want to be buried or cremated when their skin could serve as the material for their favorite novel?

What book would you choose if your skin could be turned into a novel?

KontanKarite · 11-24-2007, 07:53 PM

The holy bible.

Sorry, Humane, it was just wide open.

Renatus · 11-24-2007, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumanePain

Quite right, almost 2 years ago:

https://www.gothic.net/boards/showth...ght=Human+skin

Good memory Renatus.

Thank you, when it comes to interesting topics I remember almost everything. Though somtimes it requires a reminder of some sort to get the chain of memories going again. Now that I think of it I think I did a little research into the matter before even reading of it here.

drewsilla · 11-26-2007, 06:39 PM

Now that's the way to be remembered!!

Nevan · 11-26-2007, 10:20 PM

I'd love to touch that book - it must have an awesome feel to it...

Delkaetre · 11-27-2007, 01:47 PM

Thought the date looked oddly recent when I checked it....
I would like to have my skin turned into book bindings when I die. Or maybe get some tattoos and have my skin preserved as an art piece. Hmm.

††BlackRose†† · 11-27-2007, 04:27 PM

Oh my, now that is a very good way to be remembered... that is if they tell you whose skin you are holding. I really want to see a picture of this or see it. I don't think I would want to be a book, I would prefer to be turned into ashes instead.

But, I do like the idea of having your skin tattooed to be an art piece. Now that would be very interesting. lol.

Tam Li Hua · 11-29-2007, 08:11 AM

That's incredibly cool and incredibly creepy all at the same time..

Wormboy · 12-03-2007, 11:22 AM

I WANT THOSE BOOKS!

I would love to have a book made of human skin and read it while sitting on a chair made from human bones wearing a robe made from human hair ^_^

Opteron_Man · 12-13-2007, 12:00 PM

wow! a book bound in human skin! i'd love to have that book in my collection. it's so goth.

thedoll · 12-25-2007, 07:57 PM

Has anybody had any luck in the actual probability of being made into a book? I honestly want to have this done, but got nowhere in the research of it all. That could also be because I'm internet illiterate.

DeathToLems · 12-28-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thedoll

Has anybody had any luck in the actual probability of being made into a book? I honestly want to have this done, but got nowhere in the research of it all. That could also be because I'm internet illiterate.

I saw somthing about a guy getting his tattoes cut off his body after he died and then put in a frame from his remembarence to his son, or somthing like that.
I supose if you've paid alot of money to have a nice picec of art done on your body, burning it would be silly.
But how long could human skin stay in good condition before it rots, dries up and cracks apart?

Did anyone hear about getting your own ashes turned into a Diamond?
How cool. Altho very expensive aparently.

lostintranslation · 12-28-2007, 12:59 PM

I heard about it a few years ago. It's very expensive, but I think it's a very nice idea. It's better than just ashes. I mean, ashes are put into an urn and given to a relative who puts them on a mantel, or thrown somewhere your family thinks you would have liked. I'd rather be turned into a diamond, and that way I'm not just thrown away. Someone will appreciate the diamond, and be grateful to have recieved it.