ESV Countdowns

The clock is ticking down on several long-awaited ESV debuts: the new edition of the Allan's ESV1 with updated text, the four Cambridge Pitt Minion ESV options, and the ESV Study Bible. I'm planning to write about each as they arrive at my door. In the meantime, here's what I know about updates.

The Allan's ESV1
Paul at EvangelicalBible.com has been doing a great job posting updates on the ESV1's production process, so check the Allan ESV page there for his latest info. The last update is dated September 15. There's also been some progress talk on an earlier thread at BibleDesignBlog.com. The short answer: It's coming. Be patient. Don't strangle the mailman.

The Cambridge Pitt Minion ESV
We've already gotten a glimpse of these bad boys thanks to David Dewey, and I understand that they're making their way to North America at this very moment. Once they do, I'll be doing a side-by-side of all four editions to help the undecided make up their minds.

The ESV Study Bible
There's a whole lot of info up at ESVStudyBible.org, including twenty videos. And of course the ESV Study Bible blog is rolling out regular goodies. Speaking of which, via the blog, I found Fred Sanders' post "Let Us Now Praise Study Bibles," which enumerates some common objections to SBs (some of which I share) and mentions some things he appreciates about the ESV SB. Good reading.

Comments

[Tom Morrison]

I wish I could see the quality of the calfskin the ESV Study Bible is using to see if it is worth the extra cash.I'm buying two of these Bibles, one for me and one for my Dad. I think I'll just bite the bullet and take my chances. Does anybody have any previous experience with Calfskin products from this publisher?

The wait for the ESV1 has been excruciating. I ordered about 5 weeks ago and they still haven't even billed my credit card.

[Janis]

I'm getting the ESV SB in hardback, because I consider it more of a reference book. At 2700 pages, this won't be a Bible I'd want to carry around as my primary Bible. I'm getting the Allan's for that purpose!

Here's a review of one of the calfskin Bibles:

http://jmarkbertrand.typepad.com/bibledesign/2007/09/crossways-class.html

[mike smith]

Tom
Allan does not bill until the Bible is shipped. I emailed Allan's in the summer about this same thing an was told about the shipping. This may be good since the pound has gone down, over the last few weeks.

[Tom Morrison]

Thanks.

Hopefully they use the same grade calfskin on the Study Bible that they use on the Thinline.

I really hope my ESV1 ships this week. This is my first one so I am really psyched over it. It is worth the wait to get something that is of top quality. I'm sick of buying poor quality that has to be constantly replaced. This should be a Bible that lasts a lifetime. If it is good as I think it is going to be I'm going to order an Oxford Longprimer next. They are out of those currently too. The site says more in stock in October so I'll start checking on one around Thanksgiving. LOL. I think when I order it I'll wait until the site says in stock-ships the next day. I really should be more patient.

[Martin Clay]

I did speak to Allan's last week, who said that because of further delays at the bindery, they wouldn't be receiving the Bibles until 30 September, and would be shipping them out from then onwards.

[Matt Jensen]

From Evangelical Bible:

"Update: October 1st. Regarding the Allan ESV1 (Black and Tan)
R.L. Allan has notified us that the Bibles are en route from the UK! R.L. Allan has also stated that the Bibles came out better than the first edition. We expect the Bibles to arrive at our facility early next week. Of course they will ship immediately."

[J. Mark Bertrand]

By the way, I wanted to let everyone waiting on the various ESV editions to know what I'll be doing in terms of reviews:

Cambridge ESV Pitt Minion -- Side-by-side review of all four editions: the black goatskin, the brown goatskin, the burgundy French Morocco, and the tan/burgundy imitation leather.

R. L. Allan's ESV1 -- Side-by-side review of both editions, the black Highland goatskin and the tan Highland goatskin.

ESV Study Bible -- I tried to get hold of all eight editions to do a side-by-side, but I'm afraid I'll only be able to get my hands on the TruTone in advance. Since these are all sewn, though, and the TruTone is nice and flexible, it should give a good idea what to expect across the board.

Naturally, all the reviews will be profusely illustrated.

[Tom Morrison]

When I got up this morning I saw Allan's had billed my credit card, so mine in the way!

[mike smith]

Tom my credit card also (it's on hold is what the card company said ) so my must be almost or on it;s way.

[David B.]

My card was billed too. woohoo!

God Bless,
David

[mike smith]

Also the price was around $151.08 less then older price of $170 plus. Praise the pound price.

[Edward Lyons]

Guys my ESV1 arived today though i do live in Scotland! You are in for a total treat. Words could not decribe how good this is but i will try.

The outside leather is supple and alive. The inside lining has a lovely gold trim. Stamped in the front with Highland Goatskin and the back with Allan Binding in gold print.

Three ribbons which are navy blue, also a bolder text and short intorductions to each book, a very nice concordance and a map section. The Bible opens flat and heads south at every oppertunity and the text is ideal for public reading as well as private study. Enjoy when it arrives..... God Bless, Edward

[Tom Morrison]

Congratulations Edward. Thanks for the review. I'll like the navy blue ribbons. For some reason I was picturing it with purple ribbons in my mind. I hope to see mine by the middle of next week.

[Charissa]

I live in the mid-western USA. I still have not recieved my ESV tan. I'm starting to wonder if it will even get here this month. But I hope next week?

[James Thompson]

I just received my Cambridge ESV Wide-margin Hardcover from Amazon which had been on preorder since Cambridge's first announcement of them. As with all Cambridge Hardcovers it didn't dissapoint. The cover on the ESV has a good feel to it -- a sort of leatherette/suede texture. The font is a little smaller and darker than my Allan's ESV goatskin and unlike my Allan's the 2007 text edition is not anglicized.

I love the quality workmanship of Cambridge's hardcovers and have several of them (NKJV, NASB, NIV). These are my primary study and markup bibles. The room in the margins provide plenty of space for notes and comments. I'm really looking forward to its long use. If others have ordered and are using this bible I'd appreciate your comments.

[Scott]

James, thanks for the post and description of the hardcover edition. I will have to check that out now. Hardcover does make good sense because I'll usually be making notes at home at a table, so the hardcover would work great in that situation.