Unboxing an Allan's ESV1 r

Tom Burk sent along some unboxing photos of his new Allan's ESV1 r -- a limited edition in black highland goatskin with three red ribbons. Word is there are only fifty of these in existence, so if you like what you see, you might want to visit Allan's right away. Here's what Tom had to say:

Many feel there is no better Bible publisher today than R.L. Allan. It was no surprise that this Bible did not disappoint that sentiment. My Bible arrived carefully packed and marked as "Priority Mail" with "Royal Mail" postage from the UK  It is amazing how you can feel the quality of these Bibles after holding one for only a few minutes. Everything about this Bible instantly said it was made by R.L. Allan. The goatskin cover is soft and has a beautiful grain pattern. The scarlet found in the ribbon markers, head and tail bands, and under the gold edged paper make a striking contrast with the black cover, thus making this Bible look simply outstanding. I was using an ESV Heirloom Bible, which at 10 pt is much larger text than in found in this Bible, which is listed as a 9.5 pt. I was worried that this might affect my reading. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the font in the "ESV1 r" is very comfortable on the eyes, and should be easy to read both for study and in the pulpit.

Here are the photos:

Comments

[matt morales]

It is funny how after holding so many Allan's Bibles one is quite aware of the "naturalness" of the grain patterns and finishes. How each is different and unique yet there are a couple distinct styles that I notice. They remind me of the patterns in a tree:

one pattern has consistant lines usually either vertical or horizontal.

The other reminds me of a knot on a tree...very strong patterns more a-symetrical.

This bible reminds me of the later. Very unique. usually with a different "glow" to the finish as well.

I have to admit I am still partial to the blue ribbons

[Scott]

Tom,

Great photos, thanks! Like you, I'm very happy with how "easy on the eyes" and comfortable the text is in the ESV1. Like you said, you can feel and see the quality of this Bible immediately upon handling it. The chocolate brown that I got reminds me of my granddaddy's ol' Oxford Scofield Reference. I can't find a date on it but I'd say it's from the '50s. It's well worn but still in pretty good shape considering the age of it. The description on the inside of the front cover says, "Morocco leather lined nylon sewn". I'm sure my Allan will be doing great many years from now also.

Scott

[Tom Burk]

I am very pleased with this Allan Bible. The cover is not quit as soft as the calfskin in my ESV Heirloom, but it is still really nice.

I battled between the Brown and this limited Black cover. I have so many Black Bibles that I kind of wanted something different. However, I also have a black Allan journal in which I keep study notes. After much debate, I decided the black and red Bible was different enough…and besides, by getting the black, the journal would still match (okay, I'm a creature of habit).

The only thing I would change about this Bible would be to remove the maps and to add lined paper. I write in the Bibles I use, so the lined paper would be a better choice for me.

[Rod Summers]

Tom- Great pictures. Thanks. The brown won the debate for me because it is really unique and I'm partial to brown Bibles. I agree on the lined pages. I asked Nicholas Gray about whether he planned to use them again. He said they just have not replenished the stock. For the potential wide margin version later this year I think he said he was looking at adding the note pages back. I am still partial to my Allan's NIV Bold Reference. Maybe the brown ESV will shift my bias. Still waiting on that Cambridge Wide Margin, too.

[Tom Burk]

An Allan wide margin ESV would be a must have! I feel it would be a big mistake if they did not include the lined paper. Are they scheduled to release an ESV wide margin anytime soon?

[matt morales]

It is the Deluxe ESV right?

[Erik]

I'm currently drooling over this ESV1 'r' Bible. Now I've got to convince my wife that I'm going to throw down $137.00 for it during this economic spiral. ;) There's gotta be a way...

Two questions for those of you out there:

1) What does the "r" stand for at the end of ESV1?

2) What is the difference between the "highland goatskin" of the ESV1 versus the "black buffalo grain goatskin" of the ESV2 which seems to be a bit cheaper in price?

[Tom Burk]

Erik,

I hope you can find enough Pennies in your piggy bank because this ESV 1r Bible sure is nice!

To answer your first question; the "R" stands for "Red," just as Allan's "T" is for Tan and "BR" is for "Brown."

Concerning your second question; the ESV2 is the older ESV text and the ESV1 is the newer updated text. I am not sure about the leather differences.

[Tom Burk]

Matt,

This is what www.evangelicalbible.com lists for the Allan ESV1:

2007 Updated ESV Text
Classic Reference (80,000)
Concordance (14,500)
Black LETTER
9.5 point font
8 1/4 inch x 5 1/2 inch x 1 1/4-Paper weight is at least 24 lb if not 27lb.

[Lee Miller]

I'm drooling over these Bibles, too . . . but am holding off. My main concern is with legibility. I have the ESV Study Bible, and the single-margin Reference Bible. In both of them the text is fine, but the font used for references and footnotes is microscopic. I'm 57, and not quite ready to read my Bible with a magnifying glass in hand, but I honestly can't read that tiny font without a lot of effort (and bright light).

I've ordered a copy of the large print ESV, which I think will be a nice solution for the footnotes; unfortunately the edition available doesn't have verse references.

I'd love to have an Allan's deluxe binding, but just can't spend money on another edition that's too hard to read.

[Erik]

For all of you ESV lovers out there, I stumbled onto the most comprehensive recommendations, rankings and information for every ESV Bible currently out there.

This site covers the essentials of a Bible: font size, legibility, binding quality, paper weight and other items for you to review before you choose the ESV Bible you want to grow old with. :) Enjoy...

http://www.evangelicalbible.com/recommend.htm

[Tom Burk]

Lee,

Yes, the type size is a concern of mine as well. I was using an ESV Heirloom, which has a 10 pt text. I really do not see much difference in the ESV1's 9.5 pt. I would love to have a large print ESV except that they are only available in red-letter text. I only enjoy reading black-letter. Maybe Allan will start thinking of us 'more mature' folks and start making large-text Bibles. With the aging Baby-boomers, they certainly would have a market.

Be blessed,
Tom

[Tom Burk]

Erik- great link! Thanks....

[Marcus]

Tom, thanks for these beautiful photos! They helped me decide that I absolutely needed to stimulate the economy and get one. Mine arrived today and all I can say is wow! I've always loved red ribbons and the ones on this Bible are the perfect shade. On my monitor in a couple of the photos above the ribbons appear to have an orangish tint. In real life they are red, not too bright, not too dark, not garish at all--just Bible red. My leather cover is very much as pictured and seems to have a more pronounced aroma than my other Allan's. This Bible has very quickly become my favourite.

[Matti]

I ordered mine two days ago and am already watching the post, anyone know how long delivery is within the UK? If there are only 50 of these we couldn't let all of them escape to the USA!! LOL!

[Matti]

Wow it arrived today - how quick is that! It surpasses all expectation! Added bonus, it doesn't have all those dreadful presentation pages at the front - brilliant! I couldn't be more pleased.

[Scott]

Good for you, Matti! As the days go by while you use your Allan Bible you will like it even more.

[Landon]

I ordered mine today. I already have a tan, but I can't get away from that "limited" edition. Whoops!

[david urias]

Hot off the Glasgow Press...better order your ESV1 BR as they are going fast and will be out of print for "some time". I have tan and ordered brown for my wife, the esteemed Mr. Nicholas says the browns are going fast and will be out of print...

[Henry C]

I ordered a ESV 1R limited edition on saturday. It looks real impressive and of high quality leather, I wish they also made it in KJV. I sort of lost it and also ordered the KJV Longprimer highland goatskin w/full yapp. I'm sure I won't be disappointed.

[Schaffinator]

What's the big deal about the "limited edition"? Thanks.

[Schaffinator]

I currently use a NASB - why switch to ESV? Thanks again.