Cambridge News: Dwarsligger® KJV + A&B Bibles

Some great news to share from Cambridge.

Cambridge Dwarsligger®
Yesterday, I wrote about the Design and Production Bible produced by 2Krogh and Jongbloed. As you know, the Cambridge text blocks so many of us rave about are printed by Jongbloed in the Netherlands. 2Krogh has done design work for Cambridge, too—in fact, one of the settings showcased in the Design and Production Bible is a Cambridge KJV. One of the things I raved about in the blog post was the Dwarsligger® format, which looks like this:

It turns out Cambridge will be releasing an edition of the KJV in 2011 in the Dwarsligger® format—the first-ever English language Bible to take advantage of the design. I can't wait to see how it turns out! As a marriage of beautiful typography and innovative book design, I think it will prove very popular during the 400th Anniversary year.

A&B Bibles: One-Offs, Seconds, and Collectibles
And here's something else of interest:

That's a Cambridge ESV Wide Margin. The cover is a very nice red synthetic leather. Super limp and very attractive. It took me awhile to convince myself it wasn't the real thing. The bad news is it's a one off. Cambridge occasionally does special runs, samples, that kind of thing, and they often end up as gifts. Mine was very graciously given by Cambridge's Chris Wright, who mentioned that they were thinking of making these one-offs and limited runs available in the future.

One of my recurring fantasies is being recruited to go work for Cambridge, where I'll be given the keys to the vault where all the fantastic treasures are kept. For all I know, Cambridge University Press can only be accessed via a special railway platform, and then only if you have the right sort of wand. (My wife, who generally frowns on the thought of relocating to accept Bible-related work has given me a blanket approval on offers from the UK, for reasons that should be obvious.) 

The next best thing would be having a place you could go to source Cambridge seconds, one-offs, and curiosities of every kind. And now there is one. Cambridge is handing over special editions/bindings, out-of-print items, and slight seconds to a local outfit called A&B Bibles, which is making the stock available on the Internet. They have an Amazon UK shop (link) and an eBay shop (link). There's some great stuff, so check out both destinations.

If anybody wants to buy me the Geneva Bible facsimile for Christmas, I promise to put up a plaque in your honor!

The closest thing to my ESV Wide Margin in the current offerings seems to be this red imitation leather KJV Cameo, although mine doesn't have the same pattern. 

From what I'm hearing, Cambridge (like so many of the Bible publishers) has exciting things planned for next year. I'm looking forward to seeing what's on the horizon. In the meantime, there are some rare goodies to hunt through!

Comments

[Theophrastus]

I own the 1591 Geneva facsimile. While it certainly has value as an example of the bookmakers' art (although the very thick leather hardcover is not quite as pleasant to use as most bindings), it is not really that useful as a Bible -- it omits the notes and illustrations of the Geneva (which are much of the fun!) and the Apocrypha.

Someone who wants to explore the Geneva would be much, much better off with the Hendrickson 1560 facsimile (which costs less than a tenth the price of the starting price of A&B's auction.)

Finally, I will mention that this particular A&B auction seems to have an item that is less than pristine: the box and insert pamphlet are certainly worn, and I suspect the Bible is somewhat worn too.

[Theophrastus]

As long as I am talking about Cambridge, let me mention my disappointment with the brand new (just released this month) KJV Cameo with Apocrypha. The problem is that there is a printing error in the entire run: the Apocrypha ends prematurely at 2 Maccabbees 15:5.

You'll remember how Cambridge handled it last similar printing error -- with the RSV Brevier Reference (with page 51 printed on the verso of page 96) -- Cambridge simply cut out the bad page and tipped in a new one -- not very elegant for an expensive, fancy Bible.

I am debating what to do with my current Bible. Should I keep it and simply include a hand generated portion of the missing Biblical text, or should I return it?

[Chris Bloom]

While I don't speak Dutch, I believe the launch video on the Dwarsligger site said that one paperback = seven Dwarsliggers. If that's the case, the Dwarsligger KJV would take up an entire bookshelf. Each volume would certainly fit in your pocket easily, but how many volumes will make up the complete Bible.

I certainly see the readability advantage, and the volumes are attractive, but it seems like more of a curiosity than anything else. Of course, I may be entirely misinterpreting the whole concept, and if they can really come up with a pocket-size KJV with normal-size print, I'll gladly buy several.

[Drsanford77]

For important groundbreaking news about the 1611 King James Version Bible, be sure to visit the new http://www.credocommunications.net/1611KJVLeafBook website.

The authors have compiled a worldwide census of extant copies of the original first printing of the 1611 King James Version (sometimes referred to as the "He" Bible). For decades, many authorities have estimated only around 50 copies of that first printing exist. The real number is quite different!

The authors also have discovered how much the first KJV Bibles sold for back in 1611.

For more information, you're invited to contact Donald L. Brake, Sr., PhD, 10920 NE 113th St., Vancouver, WA 98662 USA, at dbrake1611@q.com or one of his colleagues, David Sanford, at drsanford@earthlink.net

[bill]

Am I the only one bothered by the practice of cutting up old Bibles (or any old book for that matter!) and selling them page by page?

[Thomas Silkjær]

Chris: A Dwarsligger, physically, is eight times smaller than a paperback. Meaning that a Dwarsligger will take up 8 times less in your bookshelf :)

[Thomas Silkjær]

Chris: A Dwarsligger, physically, is eight times smaller than a paperback. Meaning that a Dwarsligger will take up 8 times less in your bookshelf :)

[Chris Bloom]

Thanks, Thomas. I apparently interpreted the video completely backwards. ;)

As I said, if you're actually able to produce a readable pocket-size KJV, sign me up for several! Do you have any idea about a release date yet?

[Dina]

A great review of a simply beautiful edition.

[John]

Mark, tell your buddy at Cambridge that they should put that imitation leather into full production. It looks amazing!

[Dan]

Well, what do you know ... this blog is still active. Huh.

[J. Mark Bertrand]

Embarrassing as it is to admit, my friends at Cambridge have pointed out to me that the red wide margin is bound in full-grain calf, not some kind of high-tech synthetic full-grain calf substitute. Shows what I know!

[bill]

You're allowed a couple mistakes, Kid, since you're new here. Seriously, welcome back Mark.

[John]

Mark - you must be getting rusty! That Roland March chap is much more observant ;-)

Allan's new catalogue (pdf on their website) lists an Allan NLT. Is this something new in the pipeline? Has anyone actually seen one?

[John]

The Allan NLT is coming out next year.

[bill]

Thanks John. Looks like it's 9pt, center col ref, still red-letter. Linda F and I will have to keep looking.

[Steven Monrad]

Trying to replace a KJV 'thin' real leather standard double-column with concordance on very high quality paper purchased for about $100 in 1958.
Any ideas on what it might have been would be appreciated.

[bill]

Steven, did you consider Ryan's used model at
http://www.bibledesignblog.com/2009/08/welcome-to-bible-design-blog.html?cid=6a00e3981f1e3988330148c7f6010f970c#comment-6a00e3981f1e3988330148c7f6010f970c

Unfortunately I don't think anything new today could be described as "very high quality paper".

[bill]

Good news...the KJV Dwarsliggers are available for pre-order from Amazon for $16. Just search on Transetto, the Baker/Cambridge tradename for this unique bible.