Spanish Bible: "Dios Habla Hoy," Rebound by Abba Bibles

We've already seen three of Cristian Frano's editions bound by Abba Bible, and here comes the fourth and final one. It's the Bible Cristian uses for preaching, study and everyday reading.

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 "Dios Habla Hoy"

This Bible is the "Dios Habla Hoy" translation (like the CEV in English), made by the United Bible Societies directly from the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. This is the best Bible I know to share the Word of God with non-believers, because it's easy to understand and is very fine in its language.

March was my birthday month, so I gave myself a gift! I sent a copy to Mexico (yes, from Argentina...!), and they rebound it for me in my favourite color: blue! I love this Bible, and nowadays it is my primary Bible, which I'm using in preaching ministry, study and everyday reading.

It's Smyth-sewn and bound in blue calfskin with leather linings, red under gold page edges, and two ribbon markers. My name is embossed in gold on the cover.

-- Cristian Franco

Above: It's always risky to judge from photos alone, but this one looks especially soft to the touch.

Above: An attractive two-column layout.

Above: The title page.

Above: Close-up of the name embossing and the stitched edge.

Above: Detail of the spine. This gives you a good look at the grain up close.

Above: Another close-up of the spine. Note the slightly raised band.

Above: A trim, clean look. Here, the stitching on the cover edge matches, which gives a more refined impression than the contrast stitch (much as I like the latter).

Above: Yoga. The blue ribbons are quite nice, too, aren't they?

Above: A glimpse inside. Here, you can make out the blue coloring quite well.

Above: The spine in total.

Above: If this isn't enough to make you want a blue calfskin Bible...

Above: The leather lining in total. Very clean, polished work -- which is how all rebinding projects should look.

Above: The page edges up close, looking gold.

Above: From above, all fanned out, the page edges look red.

Above: A little red, a little gold, and a beautifully trim cover.

Above: One last look. Is it any wonder Cristian is using this edition as his primary? It's beautiful.

Please join me in thanking Cristian for sharing his amazing rebinding projects with us. Is it any wonder Abba Bibles is where the big publishers go for high end editions? Tempted to send them something? By all means do -- and be sure to share the results with the rest of us!

Comments

[Kyle Hedrick]

Cristian,

Thanks for sharing. These were beautiful. I also appreciate the information regarding ABBA Bibles. Now I just have to figure out which Bible I want them to rebind!

[Mark]

Is there an email address for Abba Bibles? All I've been able to find on the website is a phone and a fax.

[Esteban Vázquez]

Very, very nice! It's so good to know that they do such a remarkably fine job of rebinding. Thanks for sharing, Christian!

(One further comment: the "Dios Habla Hoy" is actually the Spanish equivalent of the Good News Translation/Today's English Version. The Spanish equivalent of the CEV is the brand new "Traducción en Lenguaje Actual.")

[Jesus Saenz]

Mark,

Cristian gave us a couple of email addresses in one of the other posts.

bibabba@prodigy.net.mx (Miguel Olvera)

lorena@abbabibles.com (Lorena Villeda)

I sent an email to Lorena which included a couple of questions as well as list of requirements for a rebind project but have yet to hear back from her. I hope my Español wasn't so bad as to make her not want to reply.

[John R. Gentry]

Cristian, thanks for sharing. All four Bibles look gorgeous! I never thought I'd be a fan of blue, but I have to admit that it looks pretty good. Dios los bendiga.

[Cristian Franco]

Muchas gracias amigos!!!! It is an honor - I said before and I repeat it again - to be part of Mark's Bible Design & Binding blog. I used to dream about a place like this, where people who love the Bible and the quality design/binding could join together, sharing their experiencies, testimonies and willing to go forward, inviting the Publishers to look for the "perfect Bible horizons". Thank you Mark! Thank you brothers! See you always here!

[Cristian Franco]

About Abba, maybe it's better to reach them by phone (I don't know if they speak English, but I think that someone there has to speak it because of their trade with American publishers).

This is the information I've taken from Lorena Villeda email signature:
Lorena Villeda Valdez
International Projects Abba Bibles
Phone 5255-5672-9679 / Fax 5255- 5243-8418.

I've write her about this site, inviting them to visit it, but I haven't received an answer yet.

[Jesus Saenz]

I emailed Lorena on Wednesday and Miguel today but have yet to receive any reply.

I will try and call them... maybe next week.

I do not know who else can "hablo Español" that visits this blog and lives in the US, but I will do what I can to get for those interested. Maybe we can do a group rebind?

[Brian in Fresno]

I'm very interested in getting a Bible rebound by them but I have no Spanish skills. Will I need to find someone who can email them for me in Spanish?

[Mark]

Two things...

First, a question for Cristian: was the gilt edging on the Bible before the rebinding project or was it added by Abba Bibles?

Second, a comment about Spanish skills: perhaps we need to get a handful of bi-lingual bloggers to volunteer as translators. Personally, I have asked Jesus to intercede for me to Abba. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

[Jesus Saenz]

I have received a reply with pics.

If any of you are interested in a quote drop me an email with this information

Cover:
calfskin or cowhide

one piece or three piece

Lining:
sheepskin

cowhide

imitation

I was not informed if any imprinting was included in the final cost. I will also ask about applying gilt to the page edges as well as red under gold.

I was also sent some picks

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24642748@N06/sets/72157604624938014/

you can contact me through my blog

p.s.
pretty funny, Mark

[Cristian Franco]

Great Jesus! I wrote to them about your askings, but with no success. They are the best - I think - in the Bible rebinding industry, but sometimes you have to wait for their email reply. For that reason I suggested to call them by phone. Now they have answered your questions, you and all our friends are on the way to have the Bibles rebounded by them. Now you are the "Bible Design & Binding blog" official translator! Ha, ha, ha. Blessings to everyone on the first day of a new week.

[Lorena Villeda de Barrón]

Cristian, We really appreciated all your effort to show the people our work. Abba Bibles is ministry that hire mainly single mothers and special people also. It’s a blessing of our God ´to serve all of you. Our website is under construction, but you can be in touch with us by e-mail as Cristian Franco informs you.

God bless you,
Lorena Villeda de Barrón
Abba bibles
International Projects
Phone 5255-5672-9679 / Fax 5255- 5243-8418.
lorena@abbabibles.com
Joshua 1:8

[Ike]

hi how can i send a bible to be rebind calf skin

[matt morales]

I know some people sent bibles in last year but I have not heard how they have turned out...I know the wait was turning out to be around 6months or more.

I contacted Abba numerous times with no response.

[H Jim]

Cristian: I, too, am interested in the cost of getting the gilding, with or without the red-under gold. How much did that part of the project cost? What was the overall price.
I've been in touch with Abba, via e-mail, but, as you all have noted, it takes a long time to hear back. That's OK for me, though, since I've been waiting for some Christmas money from some generous relatives before springing for a re-bind. But, Christmas is almost here!
Thanks, Cristian, in advance for your response!

[H Jim]

BTW, note that the references in Cristian's Bible are at the bottom of the page. I don't know if this is standard for Spanish Bibles or not (I have a RV '65 that has the same format). Well, I personally prefer footnotes to center column references. It leaves more room for slightly wider columns, and it eliminates wasted white space in the center columns. It also avoids making akward formatting decisions, such as having to put reference notes at the bottom of the second column on a page when the center column does not offer enough space for the references.