Anthropodermic bibliopegy

On August first I posted a blog asking the question:

Who are these two sitting in front of the Brown University Library at 9pm on June 26, 2010?

Why are they sitting here?
The two sitting on a stone bench in front of the Brown University John Hay Library were John Corbett, Mark Corbett and Buddy, our beagle, which you cannot see. We were guided there by our Ghost tour guide, Courtney.

We were lead by a young girl dressed in black carrying a lantern to light our way through the darkened streets of the historic East Side, sharing with us stories that will surely send a chill down your spine as it did ours.

Our 90 minute plus walking GHOST tour began at 8pm at the Prospect Park, where our founder, Roger Williams resides and stands his monument facing our city of Providence.We were told that we would be walking with the spirits while we learned history back as far as the 1600's and the American Revolution.
As we waited for all to assemble, Courtney began her story that
"the John Hay Library opened in November 1910, serving from that time until 1964 as the main library of the University. It was designed in the English Renaissance style by the eminent Boston architectural firm of Shepley Rutan & Coolidge. The Library is named for John Hay, class of 1858, who served as Abraham Lincoln’s private secretary during the Civil War and later became Secretary of State. His papers and personal library form part of the collections at the John Hay.

Now the spooky thrills and chills.

What are those rare books made of?

Brown University's John Hay Library, have books in their collections with unique covers, tanned and polished to a golden brown. The covers may look like fine leather, but they aren’t, they’re made from human skin. Books Bound in Human Flesh Offer a Unique Glimpse Into History

Most libraries and private collections in the United States contain books bound in leather. But did you know that many book collections contain books bound in leather made from human skin? The practice of binding books with human skin is called Anthropodermic Bibliopegy

In John Hay's rare book collection are these flesh-bound volumes.
Brown’s John Hay Library contains three books bound in human skin, including two 19th-century editions of The Dance of Death, a medieval morality tale, including a copy of De Humani Corporis Fabrica by Vesalius. One copy of the book was rebound in 1893 by Joseph Zaehnsdorf, a skilled bookbinder in London, who reported to his client that he did not have access to enough skin, so he had to split the piece he had. The front cover was bound with the outer layer of skin and has a slightly bumpy texture, like soft sandpaper. The spine and back cover, made from the inner layer, are soft and supple, like suede. Sam Streti, director of the John Hay Library, says that just like many other skin-bound volumes, "there was some tie-in with the content of the
book." The Dance of Death is about how death prevails over everyone, rich or poor.

"In most cases the skin used to bind books came from people who had no one to claim their remains. But no matter what the reasoning behind it, the practice of using human skin had ended well before the age of consent forms. Although the use of human leather may be repulsive in today’s society, libraries can have such books in their collections as long as they are used for academic research and not displayed as objects of curiosity (article by Linda Orlando)

Want to do something different? Uncover secrets that you aren't supposed
to know. as the books in the Brown library that bookbinder made with human skin,

Check out Ghost Tours in Providence, RI

Photos taken:

Popular with ghost buffs and history enthusiasts alike. You may find a sudden or unusual sight, an apparition or specter walking beside you.

DISCLAIMER
The Providence Ghost Tour cannot be held responsible for any haunting, soul-possession or poltergeist activity endured before, during or after participation on the tour.

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Copyright photo by Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced without the written permission of Kathleen Ann Pacheco-Corbett, The Buyer's Choice, Lincoln, RI. Permission granted with a link back to my website and/or blog providing site is appropriate for all ages.

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POSTINGS FOR AUGUST 2010

08/01/2010 Brown University -John Hay Library - WHO? WHY? What are some rare books made of?

08/01/2010 THREE LIONS IN ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA

POSTINGS FOR JULY 2010

07/30/2010 All the better to SEE, all the better to HEAR, Boston, MA Raincamp

07/22/2010I stopped in New York in January, been around the USA and I'll be in Boston on Monday.Who am I?

07/22/2010 RainCamp NY 2010 - Pictures and Videos and a Little Insight

07/14/2010 WE WANT RAINCAMP, WE WANT RAINCAMP!!!

07/13/2010 If You Don't Enjoy It, You Won't Do It....It's That Simple

07/07/2010 Are You Up for Selling Your OWN Real Estate?

07/05/2010 Happy Birthday America!

07/05/2010 How Have We Forgotten

07/05/2010 Who's Calling The Shots on ActiveRain - The New "Called Shots" Feature

07/04/2010 I am invincible - I am strong - I am proud - I STAND FOR FREEDOM

POSTINGS FOR JUNE 2010

06/29/2010 Is my glass as half empty or half full?

06/28/2010 A special day, indeed, Memories are cherished forever and ever.