A second book bound in the skin of a 19th-century murderer is now on display at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Suffolk after being found in the museum’s office.
The book has gone on view alongside a similar item already showcased at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
It is understood to have been made using the skin of William Corder, the man convicted of killing his lover, Maria Marten, in the Red Barn Murder of 1827.
After shooting and killing Marten and burying her in the Red Barn, a local landmark, Corder was caught and publicly executed on 11 August 1828.
His body was dissected and part of his skin was used to bind one book telling the story of his trial. This book was put on display at the museum in 1933.
However, curators recently discovered a second book on a bookshelf of the museum’s office.
This was donated to the institution around 20 years ago by a family with close connections to the surgeon who anatomised Corder’s body.
Unlike the first book, the skin is only on the second book’s binding and corners. Both books are now on display together.
“These are such sickening artefacts”
Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, told the BBC: “I know you’re not supposed to burn books but quite honestly these are such sickening artefacts.
“What was worse than the hanging was the thought that their body would be dissected after death, and this is an extension of that.”
Dan Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall Museum, told the publication: “We see human remains in every museum across the country.”
In his 11 years at the museum, Clark said there had been no complaints about the first book on display.
Heritage assistant at West Suffolk Council Abbie Smith said: “If you did not tell people it was bound in human skin, I do not really think you would realise.
“It is also rather humbling to have something like that in the collection.”
Images courtesy of Moyse’s Hall Museum
