The Allan's ESV: Delivery Update
The course of true love never did run smooth, and love of the new edition of the Allan's ESV is no exception. As some of you have already pointed out in comments to various threads, the arrival date of the Scottish-born uber-ESV has been pushed back by several weeks.
In an e-mail to me, Nicholas Gray pointed to a couple of set-backs during the production process. First, during the initial print run (part of a larger run for Harper Collins), the Allan's sheets were overlooked, which necessitated a second run. Unfortunately, the text blocks from that run were delivered pre-sewn, instead of folded and collated for the insertion of the Oxford maps. So it was back to the printers again, necessitating a delay of about six weeks. All the details are available at EvangelicalBible.com, a US distributor for Allan's Bibles, where the estimated arrival time is now late August, early September.
So let's be philosophical. The wait might seem excruciating, but in reality it's just a matter of weeks, and the fact is, these things happen in publishing, especially when you're trying to deliver a product of exceptional quality. Now more than ever, I'm looked forward to the debut of the new Allan's ESVs. To exchange information about the delivery dates, feel free to use the comments section of this post, so that others looking for info can find it easily. September isn't that far away!
Hi,
Does anyone know if Allans are thinking of doing their own version of the ESV Study Bible when that comes out?
Posted by: Glenn Piper | July 18, 2008 at 02:36 AM
Glenn: I haven't heard anything about Allan doing their own version of the ESV study bible. If they did, I can't imagine the kind of price tag that would be placed upon that!
As far as the original post: I agree with you that the delay in the shipment has only added kindling to my anticipation of this edition. People will wait their entire lifetimes in order to finally die and get to Heaven, so surely we can wait just a few weeks to obtain the Heaven of bibles! ...though it's already felt like an eternity since I put in my order.
Posted by: Matt Jensen | July 18, 2008 at 08:46 AM
It's great to see other Bible "geeks" like me who highly anticipate a Bible edition coming out. I didn't really anticipate the new iPhone, but I am greatly looking forward to opening up that box with the new ESV1 inside. There's just something about taking that top off the box, unwrapping the Bible from the paper, feeling it in your hands, and then, of course, sniffing it! After this, finding a secret room to flip through it, read some passages, then stand up and pretend I'm preaching/teaching from it! LOL.........I can't wait! Must think of something else and keep my mind off it!
Posted by: Kyle | July 18, 2008 at 11:06 AM
*sigh* It's all for the best, I suppose.
Posted by: Alan | July 18, 2008 at 01:29 PM
"Oh the bitter pain and sorrow that a time could ever be..." "An-ti-ci-pa-tion... it's keeping me waaaaiitttingg..." "Be still and know..." "Oh watch and pray..."
Posted by: Rod Summers | July 19, 2008 at 04:52 PM
A little off topic, but I just saw that the Thompson Chain Reference Bible is being offered in a limited edition goatskin leather addition. See here: http://www.kirkbride.com/products.asp?cat=19
Posted by: Thomas Blackburn | July 20, 2008 at 09:41 AM
It's true that Kirkbride is offering a 100-year anniversary edition in goatskin. I haven't seen it, but newer editions of Kirkbride Bibles have not had great print quality. So even though the binding is undoubtedly high quality, don't assume the same about the contents. The Bibles were being printed in Korea, not sure about the current status. A couple of years ago I went through a number of copies trying to find one with decent printing and finally gave up, in spite of Kirkbride's willingness to offer me a discount, etc. I have a 4th edition "Thompson's" from the 1960s bound in cowhide that's in great shape, but wanted a copy of the 5th edition. Finally found one printed in the mid-1990s on E-Bay that's fine--it was essentially brand new, still in the box, U.S. printing with decent print and paper quality.
Lee
Posted by: Lee Miller | July 21, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Hmm, I'm still in doubt, being a non-native English speaker (I'm from Holland) I hope the ESV is my cup of tea.
One thing for sure: it will be a Allan's!
If only I could find a Dutch bible with this quality in print and binding!
Alec
Posted by: Alec | July 21, 2008 at 12:11 PM
I have that thompson and I have no regrets at all. The interior states that it is printed in the good ole USA; the paper is very nice. The binding is superb; nice and limp the way Mark likes it although it is not quite as floppy as the Nelson Signature Series version. The leather has a great feel in my hand. I like others am waiting for Allan's ESV but I actually like the feel of this Thompson over the discounted bold print NIV from Allan's. It is goatskin. The problem for many readers of this blog is that it is red letter only.
Peace.
Posted by: Charles Hadden | July 22, 2008 at 02:33 AM
Mr. Bertrand, have you ever thought about taking a little vacation to a bible bindery or printer and taking your camera along for us?
(I imagine it'd be really something to gain access inside of R.L. Allan's factory!)
Posted by: Matt Jensen | July 24, 2008 at 09:15 AM
Well, I can hardly wait. I need the exhortation to remain patient. I purchased the Black Goatskin last year and have been waiting on a tan goatskin for a long time. Even for a tee-totaling Southern Baptist pastor it is excruciating to wait for a European "black and tan."
Posted by: Drew | July 24, 2008 at 11:24 AM
I find myself checking Allan's website in hopes that some miracle happened and they are shipping sooner than mid-late September. Hopefully I will have it in my hand by October. But, what can I do but wait? While I wait I must try not to think about it.....yea, right! :)
Posted by: Kyle | July 24, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Whoa, everybody. I admire the genuine adherence to quality. I admire the American exceptionalism displayed here. I even admire the fact that the ESV is the version each is up in a huff about.
Question: Are we this excited about the arrival of our coming Lord and Saviour?
Just a thought. I too await my Tan Allans ESV1. But I would give it up in an eyelash for Jesus to come back into time and space.
Posted by: mashmouth | July 28, 2008 at 04:50 AM
Furthermore,
Are we this preoccupied with our friends, neighbors, coworkers, fellow road-sharers eternal souls?
Do we spend enough time thinking about how to spread the Good News?
Or is it all about us, and how OUR Bible feels in our hands, and how OUR leather is supreme, and how MY Bible will never fall apart.
Sorry for my rant, but I believe a little perspective was in order.
Peace,
Mashmouth
Posted by: mashmouth | July 28, 2008 at 04:59 AM
Mashmouth,
I'm very glad that the Holy Spirit has given you the insight to judge everyone's motives on this blog. Sorry for my little rant, but I thought that a little perspective was in order for those who want to judge the liberty that we have in Christ.
Bring on that ESV!!!!
Posted by: Billy | July 28, 2008 at 06:06 AM
Mashmouth,
An army soldier in the midst of battle who gets excited for a well manufactured gun shipment is no less proud of the country he fights for, than we amidst the battle for the Kingdom who are excited of a well manufactured bible shipment while still proud of the King we serve. The anticipation of our main weaponry has no direct link in negating the inward cause in which we fight, crafted daily with a relationship with Jesus Christ alone. Therefore in our love for God's Word, and the belief that it deserves the best we have to offer (binding, paper, leather, etc.), we continue to look forward towards the day when we will have in our hands an Allan's ESV1!
Posted by: Matt Jensen | July 28, 2008 at 08:57 AM
He who dies with the most finely crafted Bibles... ; )
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I enjoy my Allan's black highland goatskin ESV, but I have to say that the PSR I just bought has an awesome form factor. I love the size and feel of it, and the single column is an easier reading format (for me at least). The Forest/Tan, trail design is also a great color combo.
Posted by: Steve | July 28, 2008 at 09:36 AM
@Billy,
Brother man, I did not intend to offend ANYone on this blog. Actually, it was intended for an expansion of discourse, since, if one reads some of the comments, one might just sense a tinge of materialism. I do not judge by my comments, as if judging by posing questions was possible.
@Matt,
Well crafted response, bro, and I wholeheartedly agree. I appreciate that perspective, and am not trying to minimize that we are lovers of our Swords.
Offense was not my motive, but if one is defensive, maybe the motivations ARE actually suspect, eh? I now wish I used a different idea then a 'perspective'; as if my experiences are more real, superior, or vivid then any one else here. Sorry to anyone that I did offend.
It is true that we can all arrive at the same place reading some junk, broken ol' glued ESV, right (or many other versions, obviously)?
This is a great blog, and I have spent inordinate amounts of time drooling, so I am no different then most who come here. Maybe, just maybe, I am just tiring of the average American Evangelical's generality to excess and the acculturation some display with the 'bigger and better' mentality, of which I too have been guilty. Awareness is key. This is too short of a space to really expand my point, but I am trying to simply offer another facet.
Again, no offense to anyone here... I realize some could take my words the wrong way.
Posted by: mashmouth | July 28, 2008 at 10:29 AM
I hope Jesus comes back before my ESV1 arrives from Allan's (the way the date keeps getting pushed out He may! LOL....).
Posted by: Kyle | July 28, 2008 at 06:24 PM
Worthy Points Mashmouth - covetousness is a snare we all must beware of.
Posted by: David from Ireland | July 29, 2008 at 02:09 AM
COME LORD JESUS!
U guys think we will be attending Bible College up in heaven? Wonder which translation will the college use up there...
Posted by: Ben Ting | July 29, 2008 at 03:20 AM
Why, the KJV of course. All others are corrupt. ; )
Posted by: Steve | July 29, 2008 at 05:29 AM
How does the type size compare to giant print NKJV bibles by Thomas Nelson? I have poor eyesight.
Is there a way to review the concordance before purchase? Most bibles have a standard, pitiful 66 page concordance at the end. It would be nice to see publisher add more relevant and useful concordances to their bibles. Usually the only way to get a bible with a good concordance is to get a bunch of commentary and other helps you don't want.
Posted by: Bill Blue | July 29, 2008 at 07:19 AM
what IF it is the Holy Spirit?
Seriously, what if is really is?
btw, I did write much of that above after my devotions.
Posted by: mashmouth | July 29, 2008 at 11:40 AM
If it was the Holy Spirit you wouldn't be asking the question "what if it was the Holy Spirit?" God is not a God of confusion or ambiguity - it would be clear.
Posted by: Billy | July 31, 2008 at 06:21 AM