A couple of impressive offerings came to my attention this morning, so I figured I'd pass them along. One is a vintage Cambridge KJV Turquoise Bible in saddle brown antique French Morocco. The Turquoise was a larger format, just over 6x9. I picked up a red cowhide one in Dublin back in the 90s, and it's quite pleasant to read. The cover on the one at auction (which dates from the 70s) looks beautiful, and it comes in the gold box.
The same seller is offering a Harper Brevier Text Bible bound in brown alligator grained calfskin. From the photos, it looks like an amazing and unique offering reminiscent of the extravagant editions I posted about last month. Check it out:
By the way, if you're thinking of taking the vintage plunge, it's worth checking out Ben Ting's piece about a vintage Cambridge he picked up recently. It's a beauty. In fact, he has a number of Bible-related posts complete with lovely photos, well worth viewing.
Hey Mark, the second link doesn't work. It goes to your Extravagant Holiday Bibles blog instead.
Posted by: Nick Potratz | January 19, 2009 at 11:54 AM
You missed a couple of other good finds... and since I've been outbid on at least one of them I'm willing to share =)
Vintage RL Allan 53 Longprimer in Full Morocco Leather, with matching Morocco bound 'Hymns New and Old' with a matching carrying case in, guess what, Morocco leather!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=140295827820
Vintage Oxford Scofield Reference Bible KJV in Full Morocco Leather, in box! I once owned one of these and I greatly regret parting with it, the binding was excellent, although the size was a little clunky for me.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=280302868988
Vintage Cambridge Cameo bible in Spanish Morocco Leather, leather lined, in box. Absolutely stunning! The cameo is by far my favorite Cambridge bible setting, unfortunately I can no longer find one in my budget... so once this one passes 200$ don't say I didn't tell you so!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=190280924231
Posted by: Ian Smith | January 20, 2009 at 10:32 AM
The same seller of these two bibles also has an NIV Ryrie Study Bible for auction. I own one of the same vintage and it is the limpest bible that I have including my Allan's ESV 1 in Highland Goatskin. The binding is top grain cowhide and seems to be lined in leather, possibly bonded, but definitely not paper and it is extremely limp. If you're in the market for an NIV bible, this one would not be a bad choice. I've had mine since 1991 and it has held up very well.
Posted by: Jeff Seymour | January 21, 2009 at 06:41 AM
Maybe not the best place to mention this but has anybody else noticed the exchange rate dropping even more today. I went on R.L. Allan's site to take a look at something and I noticed that RL Allan had gone up on their Ruby edition in highland goatskin from 48 pounds to 52 pounds. Plugged that in to the converter and noticed the change. Something costing 50 pounds is only 69 american smackers!! Just thought I would tell everyone so they could go shopping! :)
Whoooo hoo!
Posted by: Winston Waldemayer III | January 21, 2009 at 02:19 PM
Is it me or does the Harper bible look a whole lot like Ben Ting's Smythson? Alligator calfskin, Brevier text, and at a fraction of the cost if the auction doesn't get out of hand.
Posted by: Jeff Seymour | January 21, 2009 at 02:33 PM
My personal view - the Harper's Alligator "scale-pattern" looks too uniform in size & shade. Still beautiful, but somehow less "authentic" looking than the Smythson's version. A bit more, forgive me for saying this, boring I think. But then again I won't mind having it in my collection either ;)
Posted by: Ben Ting | January 21, 2009 at 03:17 PM
@ Winston,
NOT so loud PLS!!! U might unleash the "wrath" of wives all over the world!!! Or husbands - just to be gender-inclusive in this particular type of "persecution"... :)
Posted by: Ben Ting | January 21, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Uniformity and shade of scale pattern might depend on the age of and the area in which the skin was taken from said alligator. ;)
Posted by: Jeff Seymour | January 21, 2009 at 08:55 PM
American alligators are found in the southeast United States: all of Florida and Louisiana, the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, coastal South and North Carolina, Eastern Texas, the southeast corner of Oklahoma and the southern tip of Arkansas.
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