Bible Design and Binding

Beater Bibles 101: Compact ESV in British Tan Bonded Leather

How's this for a change of pace? Instead of a pristine, high-end edition, I'd like to introduce you to a cheap bonded leather Bible with a glued binding, a fairly typical representative of the type with one or two exceptions. This is the original Compact ESV in British Tan bonded leather, superseded a few years ago by the newer, larger Deluxe Compact with sewn binding. 

 

A thing of beauty? Not exactly. And yet, there is something to it, I have to say. While the materials and construction are unimpressive, this little Bible comes very close to my aesthetic ideal. The color of the cover is right -- a mid-brown tan -- and the warm gold ribbon is a perfect complement. The size is excellent, too: just 6" x 4" x 0.75", perfect for slipping into a jacket pocket. Back when I worshipped in a church with old fashioned pews, size really wasn't an issue, but now the chairs are stackable and there are move things to juggle in hand, so I really appreciate a pocket Bible.

 

One of the terms you'll hear collectors use often is "beater," the idea being that for everyday use instead of employing something valuable, you have a cheaper alternative at hand, one you don't mind messing up. If you're into watches, you might wear a Patek on special occasions and a Seiko every day. You get the idea. Personally, I don't subscribe to the theory. The point of quality in my mind isn't to remain intact ... it's to hold up better to use. So every Bible is a beater Bible to me, or it's not worth having. 

Still, I don't treat every edition the same. I might use a nice Bible (and that use might equate to abuse in somebody else's book), but I still take care of it and don't expose it to ridiculous maltreatment. No, that sort of thing is reserved for a Bible like the Compact ESV. How do you know a Bible is a beater? When you don't bother to clean off the stains from where you spilled coffee all over it:

 

Yes, this is probably the nicest smelling Bible I have. Say what you want about the aroma of leather, it's nothing compared to coffee beans. The back quarter of pages was inundated by the spill, giving them a crispy, brown complexion. But that doesn't stop me from using it from time to time. This is one of those editions I misplace, forget about, and then rediscover and start using again. Not long ago I found it tucked into the bottom of the pouch behind the driver's seat of my wife's station wagon. Last Sunday I read the call to worship from it. 

 

For someone accustomed to quality, there's plenty not to like. The cover (above) has a mind of its own, and the edges have gotten a bit raggedy. The faux grain is kinda nice, though, and the fact that no pages have fallen out despite a lack of care is a testament to the power of glue. Maybe the fact that I've used this as more of a ready reference than a daily reader contributes to the longevity.

 

Ah, but will it open flat? Not of its own free will. Instead you get this funky half-open posture, which it'll hold for a couple of seconds before closing itself:

 

It's stands up straight, though:

 

And guess what? There is a way to make it open flat, it's just not pretty. The first step is to give the little Bible a newspaper roll, like so:

 

And the result is something like this:

 

     
 
For my purposes, though, the compact size and the fact that the bonded leather cover is flexible enough make this is a perfectly usable edition. The complaint about the Compact ESV was that the type was too small, and for sustained use that's probably right. However, I think there's something to be said for a Bible small enough for convenient use in worship, ready when needed and easily tucked away at other times. Which must be why I'm holding onto this thing. Sure, I wish it had the updated ESV text, and I wish the cover was calfskin and there were a couple more ribbons. For what it is, though, and for what it cost, I'm not complaining.

 

 

My Carte Blanche Daydream

Q. C. S. Lewis once said that nobody had written some of the books that he wanted to read so he had to write them himself. Have you ever wished you ran a publishing company so that you could publish the Bibles that should have been published, but haven't been?

Constantly. It's embarrassing to admit, but I have a fairly elaborate daydream in which a publishing exec or wealthy benefactor descends on a fluffy cloud granting me carte blanche to assemble a dream-team of artisans to create my ideal line of Bibles, controlling everything from the layout to the paper to the binding options and packaging. I have another daydream in which the citizens of the Earth unite to offer me a luxury exile package on a remote Scottish isle without internet access, giving me stewardship of the highland goats and the production of nature's perfect fabric, tweed. I'm not sure which is more likely to come to pass, so I try to stay mentally ready for both eventualities. 

 

Above: This could be me if Daydream Two comes to pass.
Photo: CHRIS WATT

In all seriousness, I have to admit that, yes, I'd love to be in a position to see my own vision translated into ink, paper, and leather. And I'd like to think that if it did happen, a couple of you might support the enterprise by snapping up some copies. 

There's an ancient/modern aspect to my vision, as regular readers will probably have noticed. Where covers and binder are concerned, I want to hit rewind, and on the inside I'm anxious to fast forward. Bibles that are built to last on the one hand, and built to be read on the other. (And frankly, the first goal is much less important to me than the second.) So my ideal, if implemented, would involve a quality spectrum from low to high ... yes, I'd be putting out cheap, glued paperbacks in addition to finely bound goatskin heirlooms. It's a broad plan, just so you know, not a narrow focus on must one edition.

So if any risk-taking publishing execs or wealthy benefactors are listening, you are encouraged to get in touch. In the meantime, I'll keep doing what I do and hoping to have a subtle influence on the way things take shape. 

 

The ESV Minister's Bible - Deluxe Edition (Black Calfskin)

If you've been reading Bible Design Blog long, you know I'm not a big fan of novelty Bibles. I'm old fashioned enough to think that whether you're a fireman, a policeman, a teen, or whatever, the same edition will serve just fine. Quality and function are essential, but the kind of kitschy "features" that seem to emerge from marketing brainstorming sessions leave me cold. 

There's a different, though, between novelty editions and specialty editions. In the past, I've championed more than a few specialized Bibles -- for example, wide margin editions in general and specifics like the Daily Reading Bible and The Books of the Bible. The difference between novelty and specialty is that while the former essentially offers a gimmick that sparks an impulse buy, the latter offers unique functionality that's actually of service to a slice of the Bible-reading public.

Take the concept behind Hendrickson's ESV Minister's Bible:

 

The idea is to package a specially-developed Ministry Resources Guide at the back of the Bible, so that ministers have a quick reference for common tasks they're called upon to perform -- weddings and funerals, baptism, counseling, you name it. In some denominations there are official service books to fulfill this role, but for the most part, evangelical ministers are left to their own devices, often relying on resources that won't be ready at hand when needed. So why not take the essentials and bind them side-by-side with the Bible, a resources ministers typically do have handy?

 

I love the idea, and its execution here illustrates both the benefits of the idea and why it's not more commonly done. Purists will perhaps be aghast at the thought of binding something else under the same cover as the Bible ... ignoring the fact that we've incorporated all kinds of helps into the text over time, everything from prefaces, references, and concordances to extra-biblical study notes. Once you get past the initial "Say What?" the concept makes perfect sense. The Bible is a book meant to be read, and also to be used. In the same way that I want to see editions that strip out the excess to provide an optimal reading experience, I'm all in favor of specialized editions that add the necessary helps to perform the tasks of ministry.

Nicholas Gray Now Blogging @ Bibles-Direct.co.uk

Guess what? R. L. Allan's Nicholas Gray is now blogging at Bibles-Direct.co.uk. Those of you who've had the pleasure of corresponding with Nicholas in the past know he possesses a wealth of knowledge about Bibles, and now he's sharing it with the world. And he's begun with a provocative question: "What is your idea of a perfect Bible?" Believe me, if you have an idea, this is the man to share it with. So pop over and welcome Nicholas to the blogosphere!

Taking Notes on ESV Reader's Edition Paper

Q. I'm wondering if the ESV Reader's Edition paper shows the writing through the other side much?

A. Depends on what you mean by much. As you can see from the photos below, if you write in the margin with a standard ballpoint, the ink itself doesn't bleed through but the words are clearly visible (and legible) from the reverse side of the page.

 

Above: The front of the page.

Below: The back of the page.

Feel free to discuss... 

Cambridge NIV Pocket Cross Reference (Limited Availability)

Not long ago, I passed along a suggestion to Paul at EvangelicalBible.com. The one Cambridge edition I would love to see available in the US, which unaccountably isn't, is the Pocket Cross Reference NIV, which I wrote about back in 2007. I have two of them, one in red Cabra Bonded Leather and another in Russet Calfskin. The former is no longer available, but I'm happy to announce that the latter can now be ordered by clicking here: Pocket Cross Reference NIV at EvangelicalBible.com.

They'll be available mid-February and there's only a limited stock.

A couple of my earlier photos comparing the Russet Calfskin edition to a Pitt Minion are up over there, but in honor of the occasion I figured I'd snap a few more for your enjoyment.

 

The Russet Calfskin cover is basically a tan-colored, grained calf. Cambridge doesn't seem to be doing a lot of calfskin bindings these days, but if you remember back a few years, you'll know what I'm talking about. Similar in feel to vintage Cameo covers -- flexible but not limp, and they improve with a little use. I love the color, and think the gold ribbon complements it perfectly. Page edges are gold gilt.

 

Remember that "Oh, Wow" feeling you got from the now-discontinued Bold Type Reference NIV that Allan's discounted awhile back? The layout was so clean and readable. People still e-mail me wanting to know where to find those things ... sadly, the answer is, "You can't." Well, you'll get the same feeling opening the Pocket Cross Reference because it's the same layout. Only smaller. As you can see below, the page numbers match and everything. So if you're one of the lucky ones who has a Bold Type Reference NIV, here's a chance to pick up a little companion.

 

If I were the type of guy to pick favorites -- and of course I'm not, but if I were -- I'd say this is the best two-column setting of the NIV. It's just so easy on the eyes. 

 

The photo above gives you an idea what to expect inside the cover. It's stamped Calfskin Leather, with a brown marbled leather-like lining sheet. And as the picture below suggests, the cover is plenty flexible. Just the one ribbon, but it's a lovely color.

 

Now this is where things get very interesting. The cover size of this edition is about 6.5 x 4.5 edge to edge, and just over an inch thick. "Pocket" might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much. Despite the size, the 6/7 pt. Olympian type is very readable, which makes this an ideal compact NIV. The question is, how does it compare to other editions we're familiar with? Let's take a look.

 

Above, I've placed a stack of comparable items. On bottom is a TruTone Personal Size Reference ESV, which is taller and wider than the Pocket Cross Reference (just like the Pitt Minion). Next up is the Pocket Cross Reference, and on top of that is the Deluxe Compact ESV that Leonard's rebound for me. As you can see, the Deluxe Compact and the Pocket Cross Reference are very similar in size -- the same height, but the Deluxe Compact is just a little less wide. On top of the stack is the Allan's Pocket Journal.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say that if small size and usability are key for you, the Pocket Cross Reference is impossible to beat. Great layout. Great footprint. Nicely made. When I snapped the photo above, I realized what a nice match the Russet Calfskin would be with the tan goatskin Pocket Journal. So here they are in a stack:

 

And here they are side-by-side:

 

I love this combination, which I'd never thought of before snapping these shots. If you treat yourself to a Pocket Cross Reference, pairing it with an Allan's Pocket Journal would make some sense.

 

The operative words on the EvangelicalBible.com page seem to be "limited stock." I don't know if that means the first order is small, or if there will only ever be one small order. The point is, if you find this little Bible appealing, you might want to act quickly. They're listed for $75.

Perfect (Bound) for Valentine's Day

"My wife hates your site." I can't tell you how many times I've heard it. Judging from the inbox, there are quite a few spouses out there who consider me the Great Enabler, tempting their husbands with pictures of expensive editions, fueling an urge that zaps disposable income that could be better spent on, say, flowers for Valentine's Day. 

I admit it. I'm a bad influence. But now I'd like to do something to make it up to the ladies. 

As I mentioned, Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and it just so happens that today, February 1, is the official launch of my novel Beguiled. I co-authored it with Deeanne Gist, a bestselling romance novelist, blending her taste and mine to tell a story their marketing folk call "romantic suspense." Publisher's Weekly and Booklist have given it a thumb's up, and the February 13 issue of WORLD Magazine will include a nice review, too. 

Beguiled is in stores now. As I write this, I've just returned from a trip to the local Barnes & Noble, where it's prominently displayed up front on the New Arrivals table. Believe me, that's a nice feeling. The point is, the book is easy to find. So why not get your better half a copy for Valentine's Day? For all that Bible Design Blog has taken from her in terms of time and money, here's a chance to give something back.

 

Now you're probably thinking, "Plot and character is all good and well, but tell us about the paper quality and the binding!" Your wish is my command. I'm happy to report that Beguiled is printed on eggshell white paper with a luxuriously flexible paper cover. We've used the finest, um ... adhesive ... for the "perfect" binding. As you can see, it's yoga flexibility rivals the finest Bibles:

 

Above: As good as the best ... as long as I crop my fingers out of the top of the picture.

But let's talk about those paper covers. Many books use hard, stiff covers that don't conform well to the hand -- but not this one! By using a thin semi-gloss stock with four-color printing, you get a cover that literally peels back from the page. Like so:

 

 

And what about the opacity of the paper? Well, to fit so much incredible writing into one book isn't easy, but the balance of thinness and opacity is pretty good. There's some ghosting, but in good light you shouldn't notice it. Beguiled is such a page-turner that you'll be finished long before anything approaching eye strain sets in. With good margins, over-sized type (more than 10 pts.!), and generous line spacing, the reading experience couldn't be better.

 

Naturally, Beguiled is set in a single-column text layout. The text is paragraphed, and while there are chapter numbers, those of you who don't like versification will be pleased to know that there are no verse divisions anywhere in the novel. 

"That's great, but how does it compare to an Allan's Personal Size Reference?" I hoped you would ask. Let's take a look at the two together:

 

 As you can see, Beguiled is a little taller and wider than the PSR in red goatskin. I'd give the PSR the edge in terms of cover material, and it does have three ribbons. And, well, the content is way superior. But Beguiled has larger, easier-to-read type! 

All kidding aside, this is obviously an effort at shameless self-promotion. Buy my book for your wife, and I've gained something, she's gained something, but what does it benefit you? Here are two benefits to consider: First, if enough people buy my book, Mrs. Bertrand will be happy. If you think your wife has strong feelings about Bible Design Blog, let me assure you, mine does, too. Help me make my day job profitable and she won't begrudge me the sideline! Second, stop and think for a moment how much your life might change if your wife likes the book. What if she likes it so much she becomes a fan? What if I even become one of her favorite authors? She might stop giving you a hard time for coming here and actually start encouraging it. You never know!

By the way, you could always get a copy for yourself. I know I used the R-word earlier, but men have actually read and enjoyed this book. What better way to signal your unique blend of confidence and sensitivity than to read a book like this? (You can always put a leather book cover on if you're lacking in either category.) Not to mention that fact that many Bible Design Blog readers are female. For you, it's as simple as buying yourself a copy for Valentine's Day.

You may already have picked this up by glancing at the side column, but I have two novels coming out this year. Beguiled is out now, and Back on Murder hits the shelves this summer. It's the first volume in a series of crime novels. If you want to know more about that one, check out BackOnMurder.com, or visit my newest blog CrimeGenre.com. And if you do pick up Beguiled, for you or your wife, and end up enjoying it, post a review somewhere online and drop me an e-mail. I'd love to hear what you think.