Pitt Minion & Pocket Cross-Reference Compared

I debated doing this, as it can only cause pain, but since I snapped the photos and there's nothing like appreciating the unobtainable (or at least, the difficult to obtain), here goes. Cambridge is going to make the ESV Pitt Minion available in brown goatskin, so it might interest you to see some shots of a similar binding that was offered, until recently: the KJV in brown goatskin. I'm told these have officially sold out. You might still be able to find one if you hunt around.

Above: Cambridge's slender Pitt Minion setting of the KJV bound in brown goatskin.

This one falls just a little bit short of the NKJV Pitt Minion I reviewed back in June: it doesn't open as flat, it doesn't recover quite as quickly from being bent and flexed. But it's beautiful. This shade of brown strikes just the right chord with me, and I'm looking forward to seeing it on the upcoming ESV.

Since I made reference in the earlier Pitt Minion review to the Pocket Cross-Reference format, which is not marketed in North America, I figured I should post some pictures of how the two compare. It's only relevant for those of you reading the NIV, since that's the only format the Pocket Cross-Reference is available in -- and if you do catch the bug, you'll have to source it from Amazon.co.uk or a similar reseller. Pictured is the russet calfskin edition, which is even nicer than the Cabra bonded leather one I reviewed for the site.

Above: The Pitt Minion is taller and thinner, while the Pocket Cross-Reference is shorter and thicker. It all depends on what you prefer. The Pitt Minion is feels more slight, but the Pocket-Cross Reference feels better in the hand.

Above: Both formats are attractively bound. The russet calfskin is quite striking and unique, while the subtler brown goatskin might be easier to live with over time.

Comments

[Jerry]

I had just checked my pre-order for my ESV Brown Goatskin at Amazon.com earlier today.

It is going to be a long wait until October.

[Rod Summers]

Mark- glad to have you back. Hope you had a great summer. The brown has become a favorite of mine after a Mechling rebind of a calfskin Cambridge. Thanks for the photos. The wallet challenge is the Allan's and Cambridge releases occuring very close to one another. Stands to be an exciting fall season!

[Richard Zuelch]

Can you tell me what the font size is on the Pitt-Minion? It seems to be mighty dinky - a problem for us geezers with middle-aged eyes!

[Dave A.]

Hi Mark,

In regards to the Pitt Minion KJV in brown goatskin, I was initially similarly disappointed with the overall flexibility upon my purchase. The color and grain of the brown goatskin were excellent, but as you say, the bible would not lay flat, and the covers initially were slow to regain their shape. After comparing it to some of my other goatskin pitt minion editions, I noticed something strange. When stacked with the rest of them, the brown KJV had a noticeably flatter spine (it is especially noticeable in your photos just above the cambridge crest emboss on the spine). Upon closer examination, I noticed that the leather on the spine was actually glued to the text block, and when I opened it there was no visible opening down the length of the spine as on the other versions. After much internal debate I decided to see if I could separate the spine from the text block. To my surprise and relief, it was actually quite easy to insert a small smooth wooden dowel (approx. 1/8th of an inch thick) and separate the binding from the text block. Instantly the bible opened as flat as my other editions, and though I can't explain why, it seemed to help with the overall flexibility of the leather as well. I've seen no ill effects from the procedure in over four months, in fact I would be surprised if anyone who didn't know would be able to tell the difference.

I don't know that I would recommend this approach, It may just have been dumb luck that I didn't ruin this beautiful bible, but the end result is a KJVPM that is every bit the equal to my other PM versions, and maybe even a slight step ahead due to the translation and the beautiful brown goatskin.

[Kyle Newcomer]

Why don't you tell us a bit about the binding on that sharp looking Book of Church Order in the background. If I'm not mistaken, that's pure Chinese Vinyl.

[Ted]

According to Cambridge's web site the Pitt-Minion has a 7 pt font size. That is if I'm reading 'Typography: 6 ¾ /7 pt Lexicon' correctly. I'm guessing that the 6 3/4 is the size of the headings.

[Ron Parish]

My Bibles are mostly either black or burgundy; there is one gray and one silver thrown into the mix. I must say, though, the brown seems quite appealing. Either of the colors shown in the post would be welcome to me. My problem with owning either of the two fine Bibles is the small font size. I am certainly glad most of you are able to read the type. For me, though, the larger type is a must. Perhaps a rebinding is in order...

[Ted]

Oops ... the KJV Pitt-Minion is printed in a smaller font than other translations ... Typography: 6/6.5 pt Times Semi-bold 421.

[Brian Johnson]

These are, like, really small bibles, right? But how small - the photos don't capture scale very well. Could everyone include a standard object in one of their photo series to give a sense of size? I suggest a compact disc or DVD, with the centre hole under one corner.

Kyle Newcomer - I think the type size should be read as 6.75 points for the size of the type, and 7 points for the line spacing -thus a .25 point space between the bottom of the descenders of one line line, and the top of the ascenders on the next. In the old days, Letterpress layout with metal letters would have a slim non-printing piece of lead as a spacer thus a phrase like 6.75 type on 7 pt leading. Lexicon would be the name of the font. [perhaps this one]
http://www.teff.nl/fonts/lexicon/lexicon.html

[Kyle]

The Pitt has to be my favorite style and format of Bible. I love the smallness of it and the fit in the hand. My eyes aren't as good as they used to be so I have to hold the Bible at the right distance from my face. As long as I do this, things are fine. I agree with Rod that having the Allan's ESV and Cambridge Pitt coming out so close together is gonna be a strain on the wallet. Got my Allan's ordered but I'm still holding out on the Pitt. Don't know if I can get away with throwing down around $250.00 within a month time frame. It is going to be an exciting time. Maybe I'll get the Pitt as an early Christmas present to myself - that's the spirit! ;)

[Brian in Fresno]

I've found the Pitt Minion Bibles easy to read as the type is bold and has good contrast against the paper. I've also resigned myself to reading the Bible with my glasses on. ;-(

[Brian in Fresno]

I should add that the Pitt Minion Bibles are just a little smaller than 5x7 inches. It is a very nice size.

[David from Ireland]

Hi Dave A.

Thanks for the advice, I tried it on my KJV Pitt Minion and got the same great results - now opens flat and much more flexible!

I also tried it on my Allan KJV Pitt Minion and it worked too. It makes a real difference to the whole feel of the bible and now there is no need to stretch open the bible to see the text which is too close to the middle join in most KJV Pitt Minions.

Thanks again!

David

[David F]

I purchased the Cambridge KJV in brown goatskin about a year ago but I had to get it through a UK distributor, couldn't find it in the US. This Bible made me fall in love with Bible bindings all over again. I love the dark brown, with blue not yellow undertones. For those of you who like your notebooks to match your Bibles--Gfeller Casemakers--www.Gfeller.us--makes a Moleskine cover in a beautiful leather called chocolate cow (alas not goatskin) that is almost the same color but slightly redder. The large Moleskine fitted in the cover is nearly the same size as this Bible and they look great together.

[Rod]

Mark- bought a new notebook computer today. This blog is the first site in my Favorites. Thanks for all you do to promote quality Bible binding and design. Hopefully, you'll review all those great Bibles you have acquired from Allan's and Cambridge. Wish I could see every one sitting on my shelf, but I know I have a place to go and salivate! Thanks much! Brown has become my favorite color of Bible.

[Brad Schrum]

I've got a question...I am planning on getting the ESV Pitt Minion, and I was planning on having Abba Bibles rebind it in the black/brown two-tone calfskin. I was in contact with them about the project towards the end of spring, but they haven't been responding to any of my emails for the past month. Does anyone know why that might be? I'm a little concerned. I need to decide whether to order the french morrocan to have them rebind it, or just go order the black goatskin....any help would be great!

[Jeff Seymour]

Mark...Ordered an just recieved two Allan KJV bibles, an Allan 103 (Ruby Edition in Highland Goatskin) and an Allan 25i (Brevier Blackface in French Morocco, indexed). I Love both! While the Ruby is exquisite, the Blackface is less so due to stiffer boards. Both are very readable (I was a little worried as I'm 54 with eyesight to match), but reading glasses and bifocals make the experience very enjoyable. These are my first Allan's and I am anxiously awaiting my ESV Classic Reference in Black Highland Goatskin. Your blog has helped me see the light about bible bindings and design. Thanks again.