Destinies of the Soul: The Human Skin Book by Dr Ludovic Bouland
Destinies of the Soul: A Rare Book Bound in Human Skin
Have you ever wondered what happens to your soul after you die? Do you believe that your soul can be reborn in another body or even another form of life? Do you think that your soul can be preserved or transferred through physical objects?
If you are interested in these questions, you might want to read a rare and fascinating book called Destinies of the Soul, written by Arsene Houssaye and bound in human skin by Dr. Ludovic Bouland. This book is not only a meditation on the nature and fate of the soul, but also a curious example of a practice known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, or binding books in human skin.
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In this article, we will explore the history, mystery, and controversy of this book, as well as the spiritual and philosophical implications of its content and its cover. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about this topic.
Introduction
What is Destinies of the Soul?
Destinies of the Soul (Des destinees de l'ame in French) is a book written by Arsene Houssaye, a French novelist and poet, in the mid-1880s. The book is a collection of essays and poems that reflect on the soul and life after death, drawing from various sources such as Plato, Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism.
The book was inspired by Houssaye's grief over the death of his wife, who died in 1884. He dedicated the book to his friend, Dr. Ludovic Bouland, a physician and bibliophile who shared his interest in spiritual matters.
Who was Dr. Ludovic Bouland?
Dr. Ludovic Bouland was a French doctor who lived from 1839 to 1932. He was an expert in dermatology, syphilis, and leprosy, and he worked as a professor at the University of Strasbourg. He was also an avid collector of rare books, especially those related to medicine, anatomy, and philosophy.
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Bouland was fascinated by Destinies of the Soul, and he decided to bind his copy of the book in a very unusual way: using human skin.
How did he bind the book in human skin?
Bouland obtained a piece of human skin from the back of a woman who died of natural causes at a hospital where he worked. He did not reveal her name or identity, but he claimed that she was an unclaimed patient who had no relatives or friends.
He then tanned and treated the skin, and used it to cover his copy of Destinies of the Soul. He did not add any ornament or decoration to the cover, except for a small inscription that reads: "Relie en peau humaine" (Bound in human skin).
He also inserted a note inside the book, explaining his motivation for this unusual binding. He wrote:
"I had kept this piece of human skin taken from the back of a woman. It is interesting to see how it agrees with this book on metempsychosis [reincarnation]. A book about the human soul deserved to be bound in human skin, which, however, should belong to a woman who had died of love. It is the skin of a woman who, without any doubt, was very beautiful and very loving. She died of an illness that was not very long, but very painful. She had a daughter who loved her dearly and who tried to save her. But she could not succeed. She died in her arms."
Bouland kept the book in his private library until his death in 1932. He then donated it to the Wellcome Library in London, where it remains today as one of the most remarkable and controversial books in the world.
The Mystery and Controversy of Anthropodermic Bibliopegy
What is anthropodermic bibliopegy?
Anthropodermic bibliopegy is the practice of binding books in human skin. The word comes from the Greek words anthropos (human), derma (skin), and biblion (book).
The practice dates back to at least the 16th century, and it has been done for various reasons, such as punishment, memorialization, curiosity, or fetishism. Some examples of books bound in human skin include:
A copy of the French Constitution of 1793, bound in the skin of a man who was executed for treason.
A copy of Justine, a novel by the Marquis de Sade, bound in the skin of a woman who was his lover.
A copy of The Highwayman, a poem by Alfred Noyes, bound in the skin of a man who was hanged for robbery.
A copy of The Dance of Death, a medieval allegory, bound in the skin of a woman who died of breast cancer.
Why did people bind books in human skin?
The reasons for binding books in human skin vary depending on the context and the intention of the binder. Some possible motives are:
To honor or commemorate the deceased person whose skin was used, such as a relative, a friend, or a patient.
To punish or humiliate the deceased person whose skin was used, such as a criminal, an enemy, or a heretic.
To demonstrate or display one's power, wealth, or status, such as a ruler, a noble, or a scholar.
To satisfy one's curiosity, fascination, or obsession with human anatomy, death, or morbidity, such as a doctor, an artist, or a collector.
To express one's love, admiration, or devotion to the author or the content of the book, such as a fan, a lover, or a follower.
How can we identify and authenticate human skin books?
Identifying and authenticating human skin books is not an easy task. Many books that claim to be bound in human skin are actually made from animal skin, such as sheep, goat, or calf. Some books that are bound in human skin are not labeled or documented as such. Some books that are labeled or documented as bound in human skin are actually forgeries or hoaxes.
The most reliable way to identify and authenticate human skin books is to use scientific methods such as DNA analysis, peptide mass fingerprinting (PMF), or Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These methods can determine the species and sometimes the individual origin of the skin used for binding.
However, these methods are not always available or feasible due to ethical, legal, or practical reasons. Therefore, some other clues that can help identify human skin books are:
The appearance and texture of the skin: Human skin tends to be smooth and thin compared to animal skin. It also has more pores and hair follicles than animal skin.
The color and tanning of the skin: Human skin tends to be lighter and more varied in color than animal skin. It also tends to darken and crack over time due to exposure to light and air.
The inscription and documentation of the book: Some human skin books have inscriptions or notes that indicate their origin and provenance. Some also have historical records or testimonies that support their authenticity.
The Spiritual and Philosophical Implications of Destinies of the Soul
curiosity, affinity, or inspiration for their personality or their wisdom. It can also be seen as a way of accessing their energy or influence through their material connection.
Similarly, reading or owning a book bound in human skin can have different effects on the s