Bibili ka pa rin ba ng libro kung ang materyal na ginamit sa pabalat nito ay mula sa balat ng tao?
Sa eksklusibong panayam ng ABS-CBN News kamakailan, ibinahagi ng book seller na si Ian Kahn ang nakakaintrigang kuwento sa likod ng naturang libro na nagkakahalaga ng $45,000.
"This was bound in 1682 by a medical student who was studying medicine in Paris. 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," lahad ni Ian.
Ang tinutukoy na medical student ay si Jacopo X na kalaunan ay natuklasan sa kaniyang mesa ang autopsy ng isa sa mga aktres ng naturang play. Nagpasya siyang ipabalat sa naturang aklat ang balat ng medical student upang hindi mabaon sa limot ang alaala nito.
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"The only way you end up in an autopsy theater in 1682 is if your body is unclaimed. 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," ani Ian.
Dagdag pa niya, napunta raw ang libro sa kaniya sa pamamagitan ng kaapu-apuhan ni Jacopo X na dating nagmamay-ari nito na si Ricardo X.
"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,” wika pa niya.
Itinampok ang naturang libro sa ginanap na New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) ng Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America simula Abril 4 hanggang 7.
