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A book bound in human skin dating back to 1682, described as a "unicorn" in the rare books market, was featured at the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America's (ABAA) New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) on Thursday.

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Book bound in human skin is showcased in New York

Reuters

<p style="margin-bottom: 0px; line-height: normal;">A book bound in human skin dating back to 1682, described as a "unicorn" in the rare books market, was featured at the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America's (ABAA) New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) on Thursday. </p><p>Lux Mentis bookseller Ian Kahn revealed the intriguing history of the book that is now on sale for $45,000.</p><p>"This was bound in 1682 by a medical student who was studying medicine in Paris," he said. "He was a Spaniard and didn't know anyone. He went to see a play called 'Le Baron,' which he liked so much he bought a copy in sheets."</p><p>The medical student, Jacopo X, later found the actress from the play on his autopsy table. He decided to bind the book in a section of her skin to prevent her from being lost forever in a mass grave.</p><p>"The only way you end up in an autopsy theater in 1682 is if your body is unclaimed," said Kahn. "He took it upon himself to take a section of her back, process it to parchment and bind what is most likely the last place she performed in, in her skin."</p><p>The book was passed down through the family of Jacopo X, and eventually came into Kahn's possession from current owner Riccardo X.</p><p>"It actually came to me with a note which read, 'Dear Mr. Kahn, my family has had a book bound in human skin since my ancestor bound it in 1682. We've decided that it should come to market and we're told we should contact you,' which I have to admit was probably the best email I've ever received in my life," he said.</p><p>The 64th edition of the ABAA NYIABF will be held at the Park Avenue Armory in New York from April 4-7, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the ABAA.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/3/21/non-school-book-readership-declines-among-filipinos-survey-shows-1647">Non-school book readership declines among Filipinos, survey shows</a></div><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/06/23/study-shows-filipino-learners-still-lagging-in-math-science-reading">Study shows Filipino learners still lagging in math, science, reading</a></div><div><strong>(Production: Roselle Chen)</strong></div>

<p>A book bound in human skin dating back to 1682, described as a "unicorn" in the rare books market, was featured at the Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America's (ABAA) New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) on Thursday. </p>

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Book bound in human skin is showcased at New York fair

Reuters

Published April 05, 2024 10:34 AM PHT

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