I get a lot of e-mail asking for tips on sourcing vintage Bibles, and my recommendation is always the same: keep an eye on eBay. If your not fortunate enough to discover some old stock in a bricks-and-mortar inventory, that's your best bet. Naturally, you should scour bookstores whenever possible (especially when you travel), but there isn't an Aladdin's cave of vintage goodies waiting to be revealed, at least not by me.
Which is why I encourage those of you who have Bibles to auction to let me know once the listings are up, so I can share them with readers. About a week ago, I posted some auctions David Farlow listed. He's managed to locate a number of vintage editions -- the bookshops of Northern Ireland seem to be a good place to look! Now, he's gotten his hands on another out-of-print Allan's NIV bound in brown kid goatskin. Here's the link to the auction:
And here are a few photos he sent along:
Oh goodness, I just discovered your blog. I love your reviews. I really never thought of the beauty of the books themselves. The last 3 Bibles I bought (over the course of many years) have all been cheap paperbacks to read because I didn't want to make a commitment to a version until I knew if I liked it or not. And if I get a new one I try to give away one of the old ones. I'm starting a new (3+ year) Bible reading program using Search the Scriptures and that got me thinking I might like a new Bible to go with it but oh my. The translations and editions available are positively mind boggling. In fact, its even kind of depressing because then I started to read the partisans of different versions.
How many Bibles do you have? And how do you store them all? You actually have multiple copies of the same version? Or do you just review them for publishers?
You know what I'd like to see? The study versions of Bibles should make their study helps available in book or magazine form. Then ones actual Bible wouldn't be cluttered up with all that extra stuff. I prefer text only Bibles but I would use some of the study features if they were available conveniently in another form.
I'd love to see and handle and smell some of the Bibles you review. You don't mention the smell but new leather Bibles smell good I think.
Your blog has brought all sorts of thought to mind but I'll have to wait until you are posting again so I can comment here and there.
Posted by: Kathy | March 13, 2009 at 05:54 PM
I think that is the ugliest Bible I've ever seen.
Posted by: alan | March 14, 2009 at 07:12 AM
Kathy, I own many Bibles of different versions as a pastor, I started in 1981 when my personal pulpit Bible was rebound, an over the years I have collected and use the different version in my personal and my professial ministry. Some to help the congregation and other to help me be better equipped for pastoring. Like you I start with a cheaper version and if I like the version I buy a better quality of top grade leather for my use and extra if I get a great price as gifts (ex: the Message bible for very cheap from a local buyout store). I store the top of the line laying down because the leather would bend the biding and could hurt the quality of the Bible and cheaper editions on my book shelf side by side. I like your idea of notes in separate publications and some Bible cd's do that.
Posted by: muke smith | March 14, 2009 at 11:02 AM
Alan - Are you serious?
The layout and print in this Bible is considered by many to be the best two-column format around! I have not seen a two-column reference bible better executed.
If you are referring to the binding, I am sure I could find you a Bible that you think is less attractive. Unless you are using reverse psychology?
Take another look...It is a very nice Bible.
Posted by: matt morales | March 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM
No reverse pschology! Layout I'm sure is fine, top of the line, but what is absolutely ugly - so other way of putting it - is the imprinting on this Bible. Large ugly glitzy gold on the spine. And what is up with that terrible looking imprint on the cover? I know, we read the inside, granted, but really, for the price someone is paying for this they could buy something in the same basic format in a quality binding and cover from Allen, Cambridge or Crossway that is pleasing to the eye.
Posted by: alan | March 14, 2009 at 05:16 PM
Not a fan of the insignia on the cover--are those leaves?--but the leather looks very nice.
Posted by: Brian | March 16, 2009 at 08:34 AM
Maybe those are palm branches for Jesus the King.
Posted by: Robert Lombardi | March 16, 2009 at 01:15 PM
That design on the front of the bible is the symbol that is universally used for the New International Version. I believe that it has been in use since the interpretation came out. (1978?) I have several NIV bibles and they all have this symbol somewhere in or on the bible. Not really sure what they symbolize. Maybe someone else out there knows that particular tidbit.
Posted by: Jeff seymour | March 16, 2009 at 02:35 PM
Hey everyone, I just posted an awesome Bible for auction on eBay. It's a Cambridge KJV/RV Interlinear Bible bound in black goatskin. It's out of print and very hard to find. Here's the link:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=270360204849
There are going to be 4 auctions, I have 4 up for grabs.
Posted by: Nick Potratz | March 17, 2009 at 05:12 PM
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Joannah
http://keyboardpiano.net
Posted by: Joannah | April 08, 2009 at 11:57 PM
I have just listed a number of Bold Print Reference Bibles from R.L.Allan including this one on Amazon.co.uk. I bought the two Black Kidskins from Dave Farlow and the Brown from another Ebay Seller. I am clearing out my NIVs in preparation for the ESV Reader's Edition in the autumn.
Posted by: Alan Craig | June 22, 2009 at 01:04 PM
Photos of the NIV Bold Print Reference Bibles have been added to Amazon.co.uk and are also available on request. One Bible has already sold so be quick!
Posted by: Alan Craig | June 25, 2009 at 11:41 AM
I have listed on Ebay a R.L. Allan's Bold Print Reference Bible in Black Kidskin:-
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=330340642247)
and a very rare R.L.Allan's Slimline Bold Print Reference Bible in Cantara Goatskin:-
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=330340649199)
Both are only on 3 day auctions so you will need to hurray!
I have also listed this brown kidskin edition on Amazon.co.uk (http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000L33ILE)
Posted by: Alan Craig | June 27, 2009 at 05:09 AM
I have now listed a veritable plethora of rare and unusual NIVs on Ebay, including the Cambridge Leather Lined Celebration Text Bible, a Hodder and Stoughton Russet Calfskin Thompson Chain Reference, some R.L.Allan's Bold Print Reference Bibles in Black and Brown Kidskin, a Hodder and Stoughton Pocket NIV Textbible in Black Calfskin and a Zip and the NIV Study Bible in Black Goatskin. Check out my items for sale on:- http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/craigchambers211_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZ
If you want to e-mail me and make an offer on any of them then please do through my Ebay shop...I am very open and friendly and want these to go to a good home!
Posted by: Alan Craig | June 30, 2009 at 01:58 AM