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V17 2014 INDEX       E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 17, Number 16, April 13, 2014, Article 29

HARVARD BOOK NOT BOUND IN HUMAN SKIN AFTER ALL

In December 2007 we discussed a creepy book bound in human skin. I can't say I know of any numismatic book in such a binding. On a related note, Len Augsburger forwarded this article about a book once believed to be bound in human skin which turned out not to be. -Editor

Harvard book not bound in human skin

A centuries-old book long thought to be bound in human skin actually isn’t, researchers at Harvard University said.

Scientist Daniel Kirby determined the book’s cover is made from sheepskin, debunking a myth that’s piqued students’ interest for years.

"I think everyone had their doubts all along," said Kirby, who used a method called mass peptide fingerprinting to reach his conclusion.

He also determined the book’s glue is made from cattle and pig collagen. The 17th century book is part of the Harvard Law School’s library. The legend’s origin can be blamed on an inscription on the last page of the book, written

"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," it reads, according to a blog post on Harvard’s website. "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."

But Kirby’s results don’t mean the book was never bound in human skin. "It’s a possibility that it had been recovered before it came into the collection," he said.

To read the complete article, see: Harvard Law Book Isn’t Bound In Human Skin After All (abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/04/harvard-law-book-isnt-bound-in-human-skin-after-all/)

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see: CREEPY HUMAN-SKIN BOUND BOOK OFFERED (www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v10n49a29.html)



Wayne Homren, Editor

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