Spanish Bible: Reina Valera 1995, United Bible Societies, Bound by Abba Bibles

We continue with our look at Cristian Franco's magnificent rebinding projects, all from Abba Bibles in México. Last time, the project was an RVR 1995 specially commissioned by the Sociedad Bíblica Argentina to celebrate its 175th anniversary. This time, the edition in question is an RVR 1995 printed by the United Bible Societies.

As I said before, in each of these posts, I'll begin with Cristian's description, then share the photos. The captions are written by me. So with no further ado:

Spanish Bible Reina Valera 1995 -- United Bible Societies

This Bible was published by the United Bible Societies, and uses the Reina Valera 1995 revision. (The Reina Valera is the most popular Bible in the Spanish speaking world, equivalent to the King James Version -- and I think it was translated into Spanish at the same in history time that the KJV was made).

I have four copies of this Bible. One in blue, two in black, and one in tan (that I gave to my wife as a gift). The one pictured here is Smyth-sewn and bound in blue calfskin with leather linings, red under gold page edges, one ribbon marker.

-- Cristian Franco

Above: This photo gives a good idea of the Bible's size.

Above: Pictured with the red box.

Above: A detail from the box.

Above: Nestled inside. It's always a good idea to keep the original box handy for storage.

Above: My Spanish is lamentably poor, so please chime in to correct any mistakes, but here's what I take away from the listing: the text block is printed in Korea, bound in calfskin by Biblias Abba, with red under gold page edges. Is "Papel Biblia Optico de algodon" a reference to the paper?

Above: The Bible side-by-side with the box.

Above: A good look at the calfskin grain.

Above: The semi-yapp edge, with art-gilt (red under gold) edges just visible.

Above: Flexible much? I'd say so.

Above: The interior layout.

Above: Cristian works with the Luis Palau Association, and as you can see, this Bible is inscribed by Luis Palau himself. By the way, here's a slideshow of an LPA festival in Buenos Aries, where Cristian lives, which took place in March.

Above: Cristian reports that the calfskin cover is blue, his favorite, though it tends to look black in the photos. This one suggests the true color better. (And it will be obvious in some of the editions we'll be highlighting later.) Note how clean that edge looks. Nice work.

Above: The Biblias Abba Hand Made imprint.

Above: Spine detail. SBU = Sociedades Biblicas Unidas.

Above: Another spine detail.

Above: Closer, with a nice view of the grain.

Above: The whole package. Note how the cover curves around the edges of the text block, giving a rounded off (rather than squared) footprint. Very elegant.

Above: A final look.

Comments

[Esteban Vázquez]

Mark, is this rebinding, or an original binding by Abba?

As for the Reina-Valera, it predates the KJV by several decades: Reina published his complete Bible in 1569; Valera published his revised edition in 1602.

As I said in my blog, a search for Abba Bibles available for sale turned up a beautiful edition that appears to sell for a measly $450.00 MX, roughly $43 USD (links to it over in my blog, as html is not allowed in the comments here). Does anyone have any experience buying merchandise directly from Mexico from within the US? How would one go about this?

And again, if any such finely bound editions of the RVR60 are available, I'd love to hear about it! The RVR95 doesn't tickle my fancy.

[threegirldad]

Cristian wrote: "I think it [Reina-Valera] was translated into Spanish at the same in history time that the KJV was made." Yes, that's correct. Original translation (Casiodoro de Reina): 1569 Original revision (Cipriano de Valera): 1602 And, umm, wow! I sure like what I see in this photos. I'm gonna have to think about having them do a rebind...

[threegirldad]

Not sure what happened to all of my lines breaks. Ugh...

[Cristian Franco (Argentina)]

Thanks for your comments!
Esteban, yes, this is an original binding by Abba. I bought it from the Argentina Bible Society here in Buenos Aires, and also at Mexico Bible Society. I know Abba doesn't have anymore copies of it (I bought five copies of it, in different colors, and I gave them away for my wife, for pastors and friends as a gift). I know that there are some copies at Mexico Bible Society. The link is: http://www.socbiblicademexico.com.mx/Pag_Catalogo/Cat_Biblias/Mas_BibliasRVR95/FotBibl_RVR9549XC.html
About RVR60, I know Abba Bibles has it in different presentations.
Esteban and threegirldad: thanks! Yes, it's correct! Reina-Valera was before KJV! Here some history: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reina-Valera
Blessings to everyone and MARK: THANKS AGAIN for letting us - your Spanish speaking brothers and sisters - to be part of your blog!

[Cristian Franco (Argentina)]

Mark, your Spanish is good! "Papel Biblia Optico de algodon" means that the paper is not "white". I think in English it's OK to say "optical paper"? That kind of paper is perfect for reading!

[threegirldad]

I guess we need a bilingual publisher in order to know for an official answer, but "Papel Biblia Óptico de algodón" could be translated as "Photo-grade cotton bible paper."

[threegirldad]

Grrrrrr. Sorry for the clumsy wording in my previous comment. When the "Preview" feature isn't catching gaffes like that, maybe it's time to fire my blog post copy editor.

;-)

[Manuel García (Madrid, Spain)]

Congratulations brothers!!! The Reina Valera edition is the most loved version here in Spain. Mr. Bertrand: thank you very much for bringing a space for us, the spanish speacking World.

[Cristian Franco (Argentina)]

Hola Manuel!!! Please, why you don't send to Mark the pictures of your spaniard Bibles? When I lived in Madrid with my wife, you show us some of those fine and "extint" Bibles. Could you find one of the "Biblia del Oso" and send the pictures to Mark? Blessings for our dear brothers at Spain. And thank you for promoting this blog and my evangelistic blog also. Adiós!!!

[Gil Garcia]

I have contacted TBS (http://www.trinitarianbiblesocietyusa.org/enespanol.html) and they might used ABBA Publication for the NEW UPDATED 1909 REINA-VALERA BIBLE to come out sometime (Lord Willing) in 2009. This updated 1909/(2009) Reina-Valera will used the Textus Receptus as its basis as originally was used, instead of the Critical Text, that other Reina-Valera modern translation currently used, and it will, of course, have update spanish language.

Regrading the KJV, I hope TBS and many other unwilling English speaking folks do the same for the KJV.

[Esteban Vázquez]

Gil, many thanks for the heads up regarding the Trinitarian Bible Society's upcoming edition of the "Antigua Versión"! This is most certainly something to look forward to. While I myself prefer RVR60 (mostly because that's what I'm used to), I find the 1909 a charming and delightful read. Also, if this 2009 edition is an improvement upon their excellent 2001 orthographically corrected edition, now sadly out of print, then it will undoubtedly be a must have!

(Incidentally, I should note that none of the RVR editions published by the United Bible Socities use the "critical text"; only the 1977 edition, now published only by the Bible League, and the Reina Valera Actualizada, published by Editorial Mundo Hispano, do so. The former uses it rather minimally, and the latter uses it as sole text.)

Cristian, thanks for the additional information, and for sharing your wonderful collection!

[Cristian Franco]

Thank you Esteban!!!

[CALIXTO M. DE VARELA]

WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A BI LINGUAL BIBLE FOR MY SON BIRTHDAY ASSOON AS POSSIBLE. I HAVE ONE AND HE ASK FOR ONE THANK YOU
CALIXTO (CAL) VARELA
STOCKTON CALIFORNIA

[Paul Klenk]

These pictures are fabulous. Your site is also wonderful. I have been corresponding with a man named Nicholas at R.L. Allan's, and he has been very helpful in answering questions I have had (and those I haven't) about their wonderful Bibles and how they're made.

My choice will be an ESV in goatskin, either from Cambridge, or more likely, Allan's.

I have a tiny ESV New Testament and Psalms/Proverbs in black leather. It is just adorable and I love it so. I have two other ESVs, plus my wonderful Open Bible (study bible) in NASB -- but not in the very lastest (1977, not 1985). The book outlines are worth any price you'd pay for this bible (you could preach from them), and the cyclopedic index is a double blessing. I highly recommend the Open Bible for anyone looking to really dig into God's word. They are out of print (World Publishing doesn't even have a site anymore).

One day I would like to have my Open Bible rebound in a soft calf- or goatskin. There is something just wonderful about the way a leather bible smells, feels, and looks.

Thanks for a wonderful site and for great information.

[ivang]

Dear all,
I own an original first edition of the 1602 Reina-Valera which was property of Maria Cristina Queen of Spain (it has her Ex Libris). It was printed in Amsterdam. Only 2600 were made and don't know how many have survived!
It was a gift of a friend of my great grand father to him, and now I own it. It has been in my family for at least 60 years!
I'll upload some pics. Guess it must be a museum piece!
Regards,
Ivan.

[Carmen Cristina Bivins]

This is a weird comment to post, but here it is. I grew up reading Reina-Valera 1960 and I love it. I also like reading the NIV in English. I can't find the two version in a bilingual Bible anywhere. Someone should think about it! As far as I'm concerned, they are the most similar to each other, although the Spanish seems more old-fashioned, but I love it!

[threegirldad]

Carmen,

I think you'll find what you are looking for here.