Bible Design and Binding

Sneak Peek at the R. L. Allan's Personal Size Reference ESV

Just so you know, I have the new R. L. Allan Personal Size Reference ESVs in hand, and I'll be working on photos and a write-up over the next few days. Expect something early next week, which will give me a chance to live with them long enough to speak intelligently on the subject. (Let's hope.) In the meantime, I snapped a photo to prove they're here and pique your interest.

As you can see, these are the advance copies with the thin ribbons. The production Bibles will have ribbons twice this width. The red is tricky to photograph thanks to the way it changes in the light, but I'd say this shot is fairly representative.

Some Thoughts on Type Size

The Word is wordy, my friends, and to fit all those words into a handy-sized book requires some compromise. But why say it when I can show it:

I chose the font, Minion Pro, at random to illustrate the situation. The same information can be contained in less than half the space by reducing the type size by 3.6 points. And because with the Bible there is so much information to convey, small type abounds. You may feel like you're reading a microdot, but at least you're not supporting the weight of a pulpit Bible.

If the proportions are right -- column width, line spacing, and so on -- I'm willing to put up with smaller type to have a smaller book. But as a recent commenter pointed out, I'm a young whippersnapper (thirty nine) with good vision (20/20 with my glasses, if I squint). Some readers simply can't cope with type in the 7-8 pt. range without magnification.

WHEN LESS IS MORE

Bibles are often designed to fulfill a variety of tasks, based on the assumption that we'd prefer to read, study, and worship from the same volume. So in addition to the text, you have footnotes, cross references, and other "helps" shoehorned in, as well as front and back matter intended to aid reading. But you know what? Sometimes it's better to do one thing well than do half a dozen things badly.

Strip out the cross references and the notes and the back matter and what you have left is empty space, space for the text to breathe and even expand. The advent of electronic Bibles makes this kind of specialization rather sensible, since there are no space constraints in the virtual book. I don't like to read from a screen, but when it comes to study I don't usually bother anymore with the limited notes and references that can be squeezed onto the physical page. 

Paradoxically, I think less "helps" would actually be more helpful. It would help with one thing in particular, which is reading. I'm content to do away with all the advantages the helps provide (which were not available, after all, to the original readers) to better accomplish the main goal, which is to take and read.

Another Inside Look: Nelson's KJV Single-Column Bible

As promised last week, I have page proofs of the second Single-Column Bible slated for release by Nelson early next year -- this time it's the venerable KJV. I've said it before and I'll say it again: one of the factors contributing to the "loss" of the KJV by modern readers is its archaic typography. Paragraphed KJVs are rare enough, so the fact that Thomas Nelson is publishing a single column, paragraphed edition set in 10 pt. type is rather thrilling. As you can see, the specs are identical to the NKJV:

For a detailed look, be sure to open the complete PDF: KJV Single-Column Bible Layout PDF (First Proof). Note that this is not an aggressive reformatting of the text. The words supplied by the translators for sense are still set off in italics, quoted speech is not set off in quotation marks or paragraphed as in modern English. It's just the text of the KJV with the carriage returns after each verse removed. The result is quite readable in comparison to most KJV editions.

First Glimpse of R. L. Allan Personal Size Reference ESV

The second best thing to getting a package in the mail from R. L. Allan is getting an e-mail with photos attached. Nicholas Gray kindly sent along some photos of the new Personal Size Reference ESV. (For specs on the PSR, see my review.) These are advance copies with 1/5" wide ribbons, but don't worry, the production ribbons will be 3/10" wider. 

Here's the one I've been looking forward to with great anticipation: the red highland goatskin. It has dark blue leather linings and blue ribbons.

Then there's the chocolate brown brown in the same configuration we saw with the last series of ESV1s. The ribbons are green, purple, and brown.

The black edition this time around has red ribbons instead of blue, reminiscent of the limited edition ESV1 offered recently.

These should be hitting the market here in the US early in October. The price is £90. The buffalo grain ESV3s have dropped in price to £65, and the ESV1s are currently out of print, awaiting a reprint in early 2010. In the meantime, Nicholas has just inspected running sheets from the Reader's Edition, on schedule for an early November launch, and says they look great: "The India paper is writeable and white and the bigger margins will please note-takers. The print is 8% bigger than the Classic reference editions and this enlargement is quite noticeable on the page."

Inside Nelson's NKJV Single-Column Bible

Thanks to Kimberly Stephens, the Acquisitions Editor for Bible, Reference and Curriculum at Thomas Nelson, I can now share a preview of NKJV Single-Column Bible's inside layout. This is a first proof, which means any errors have yet to be corrected, but it gives a good idea of what to expect. 

The page spread above isn't high resolution, but I've uploaded a multi-page PDF which you can scrutinize in-depth. Here's the link: NKJV Single-Column Bible Layout PDF (First Proof). Overall, it looks good, and seems to deliver on the promise of a clean, readable layout. If you've been reading this blog long, you know there's one thing I really don't like about this setting: the font, which looks so much like the same one used in the TNIV Reference Bible. I know that's a subjective thing. My inner typographer wants to fix the widows and orphans, too, but like I said, this is a first look. And a very encouraging one.

More good news! Nelson will also release a KJV in this format at the same time, which means those of us who've been weeping and gnashing our teeth at the long delay in the release of a hand-sized single column KJV can weep and gnash no longer. Assuming sales are strong, there's a chance the single column settings could make their way onto the Signature Series roster. As Kimberly mentioned in her comment on Monday's post, Nelson is exploring the possibility of offering these with sewn bindings. If I hear more about that, I'll pass it along.

Q & A: NKJV Options?

Q. With all the options in the ESV, I feel kind of left out of the market, being a NKJV reader. R. L. Allan doesn't bind an NKJV text to my knowledge and Cambridge has the Pitt Minion which you reviewed positively. Is there anything else on the market that I'm not aware of?

A. Perhaps the most intriguing edition of the NKJV on the horizon is the Single-Column Bible, slated for release in March 2010. The product description sounds interesting:

"If you prefer a single-column style Bible, the NKJV Single-Column Bible is your best choice. Large-print, black-letter text makes reading easier than other single-column options, and a clean, uncluttered page design keeps visual distractions to a minimum. The Bible's size makes it convenient for travel, and the New King James Version^® is trusted by many."

There don't seem to be any examples of the layout available. I'm interested in seeing what it looks like, especially since the print is large and the page is clean and uncluttered. (If anyone from Thomas Nelson happens to read this and would be willing to share, please get in touch.) The dimensions are 8.5 " by 5.5", and the text runs to 1728 pages. The only binding options are softcover, imitation leather, and bonded leather. No indication of whether the text block is sewn, so it's hard to say whether it would be appropriate for rebinding -- given the limited cover options, hopefully it will be.

It's a shame this edition won't be part of the Nelson Signature line. If you're looking for a good NKJV, the Deluxe Personal Size Giant Print Reference and the Pocket Companion from the Signature Series are worth checking out. Do a search on this site for more information and comments.

Readers, any other options you'd recommend?

Q & A: Pocket NT Recommendations

Q. I am in need of a New Testament w/Psalms to carry in my back pocket so that I always have God's word.  Is there a goatskin NT/Psalms that you would recommend. I have looked on your site and I'm quite sure you have already remarked on one but I am unable to find it.

A. I wrote about Pocket New Testaments in October 2007, and while that wasn't an exhaustive inventory of everything out there, I think it's still representative. Like psalters, New Testaments have been strangely neglected in recent years. The best NT layout -- indeed, one of the best Scripture layouts of all time -- is the REB New Testament from Cambridge. Unfortunately it's only available now with the green flex cover. I like the single column NRSV NT from Cambridge, too.

If the ESV is your translation of choice (as it is for the original questioner), there's just the one option, the Crossway NT in genuine leather. It's nice and compact, and at least the psalms are set in a single column.

There are no goatskin-bound NTs on the market as far as I know, and I'm not sure whether Cambridge is still offering its calfskin ones. It's a shame, since of all editions, a Pocket NT needs to be well-constructed and durable.

Readers, if you have any cherished NTs, or know of any high quality editions I'm overlooking, let me know. Likewise, if you're frustrated by the lack of choices, I'd like to hear about that, too. Perhaps there's not much demand -- but if there is, let's talk!

Q & A: Reader's Edition vs. ESV1

Q. I'm sure you know about the Allan ESV "Reader's Edition" talked about at this link, but how will it compare to the ESV1? Unfortunately I cannot wait until your review comes out since by that point they will most likely have already sold out. I'm looking for a everyday reading, studying and preaching Bible that I can use for the rest of my life. While I know that no Bible is perfect, I am the type that likes to fine one and hold on.

A. This one's a dilemma! On the one hand, you can't wait for my review, but on the other you want me to tell you how it compares to the ESV1. The thing is, I don't have a copy of the Reader's Edition. So the best I can do is speculate. From what I've heard, I'm confident the Reader's Edition will be very nice. I imagine the binding will be comparable to an R. L. Allan ESV1 in quality, and the paper will be better.

Trade offs? The Reader's Edition will be larger ... and in spite of the name it's still a two-column text setting. But if your chief complaint about the current quality editions is that the type is too small, I imagine the Reader's Edition will be just the thing.

I'll have much more to say once I've actually seen one, though, so if you're undecided and you can wait, I recommend that you do.

Q & A: Cambridge vs. R. L. Allan

Q. I am very fond of the NRSV and I see that you have reviewed both Allan's and the Cambridge NRSV. What is the difference with the leathers and which one would you prefer over the other?

Q. I'm looking to get an ESV bible and didn't know which to get. What is the main differences, if any, between R.L. Allan and Cambridge?

A. I'm grouping these two questions together, because they're representative of a common inquiry I receive ... the age-old Cambridge vs. R. L. Allan debate. First things first: when it comes to editions I've reviewed, I'm often tempted to quote a not-so-enviable source and say, "What I have written, I have written." As a rule, what I have to say about an edition is contained in the review, and if there's anything worth adding I'll append a comment. So if you send me an e-mail saying something like "I read your review of Bible X and was wondering what you think about it?" don't expect a quick reply. What I think about it is what I wrote.

But these questions don't fall into that category. As far as the NRSV is concerned, if you read my review of the Cambridge and compare it to my review of the R. L. Allan's, you'll see that I much preferred the latter. The goatskin cover isn't as flexible as the natural highland skins used in the R. L. Allan ESV1, but it is far nicer than the stiff French Morocco. Cambridge, however, offers other editions of the NRSV that might be worth checking out. I haven't received copies (yet), but when I do, I'll write about them, knowing that the hunt for a quality NRSV is getting to be difficult these days.

On the larger Cambridge vs. Allan question, here's what you need to know. I prefer the R. L. Allan bindings, both in terms of style and quality, but Cambridge is still competitive -- especially when it comes to paper quality. Since R. L. Allan is rebinding text blocks sourced from publishers, paper varies. While I'm sure there are folks who would argue with me, I find Cambridge paper consistently good. (I'm not saying "the best its ever been," but quite good in comparison with what's out there.)

The deciding factor is actually format. For portability, the Pitt Minion is excellent, and if you're looking for a wide margin, then Cambridge has you covered. The best all-around ESV reference Bible right now is the R. L. Allan ESV1, and the upcoming Allan's edition of the ESV Personal Size Reference will give the Pitt Minion a run for its money. But both publishers offer high quality editions, and you're not going wrong with either. Choose the format that best suits your needs.

Q & A: Black Letter NASB?

Q. Is there an NASB Bible anywhere comparable in quality to the Cambridge Pitt Minion that also has BLACK LETTER text throughout? I'm sure the NASB goatskin Pitt Minion is excellent, but it has red letter text, which I do not prefer or use. 

A. I hate to admit it, but you've stumped me. I'm not sure whether there are any black letter editions of the NASB on the market, and if so, how their quality compares to Cambridge. People say good things about some of the Lockman Foundation editions, but I haven't seen any first hand.

Readers, does anyone know of a black letter NASB? I'd appreciate an assist on this one.