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The madman's library : the strangest books, manuscripts and other literary curiosities from history
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The madman's library : the strangest books, manuscripts and other literary curiosities from history

by Edward Brooke-Hitching

This illustrated historical survey explores eccentric and extraordinary books from around the world. It documents unusual literary artefacts including volumes written in blood, works bound in human skin, and undeciphered ciphers.

Accession 16555 ISBN 9781471166914 Publisher Simon & Schuster
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TAGS
Curated Derived
Art Biology Books Communication Culture Curiosity Economics Education Engineering History Literature Materials Publications Religion Science Social Sciences Technology Writing
CONNECTIONS
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State
on_shelf
True
position_updated_at
2026-06-10 16:14
orientation
vertical
Details

Physical

binding_type
Hard Back
dimensions
none captured
spine_text
none captured

Metadata

Book form
LOCATION HISTORY
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5 minutes ago
M:S3:30 3 vertical
3 weeks, 5 days ago
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Last synced 2026-05-21 01:14 (2 weeks, 6 days ago)

Identity

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The madman's library : the strangest books, manuscripts and other literary curiosities from history
vernon_id
25724
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16555
vernon_slug
the-madmans-library-the-strangest-books-manuscripts-and-other-literary-curiosities-from-history-edward-brooke-hitching

Drives Pulse state

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On Shelf, Stored
location_name
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location_reason
On Shelf
isbn_issn→ isbn (when valid)
9781471166914

Descriptive

production_date
2020
object_type
Books/Document genres/Information forms/Visual and Verbal Communication
object_status
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brief_description
Books written in blood and books that kill, books of the insane and books that hoaxed the globe, books invisible to the naked eye and books so long they could destroy the Universe, books worn into battle, books of code and cypher whose secrets remain undiscovered… and a few others that are just plain weird. --blurb.

Subjects & people

authors→ author (initial fill only)
Edward Brooke-Hitching
tags→ tags
Science, Literature, Philology, Social sciences, Civilisation, Sociology, Writing, Language and languages, Communication, Artists' books, Books, Publications, Technology, Books and reading, Reading, Language arts, Rare books, Machinery, Illustrated books, Religious literature, Sacred books, Body fluids, Blood in art, Writing materials and instruments, Office equipment and supplies, Industrial equipment, Blood, Parchment, Hides and skins
subject_people
Henry Darger (b.1892, d.1973), Ern Malley (Fictitious poet) (Australia), Angry penguins
subject_objects
—

Cover image

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