A leather look at the Oxford Study Bible
Posted on April 7, 2008
Filed Under bible publishing
When I wrote my original notes on the Oxford Study Bible, I was looking at the current hardback version, and had been previously acquainted with the paperback. Those are both excellent editions and I recommend them both, depending on your taste in bindings.
However, like Esteban before me, I’ve now managed to acquire a black genuine leather binding of the OSB (ISBN 019529002X) and it is very clearly superior in all regards:
- The binding on the hard/softcover editions I’ve seen did not appear to be sewn. I suspect that, like Oxford’s Jewish Study Bible, they use a fabric adhesive with a glued binding. Happily, this leather edition is a sewn binding and is as flexible as any Bible I’ve handled. The paper registers are intact and clear to see. It is unknown whether the original hardcover edition (a plain blue cover with printed dust jacket) has the same fully sewn binding.
- The paper on the current hard/softcover editions is a brilliant white that is clean, but of high contrast, which lends itself to a slight harshness in appearance. The paper on the present edition is an off-white that is much pleasanter to read. The paper corners are rounded off to match the cover and the edges are gilt with a gold color that matches the stampings on the cover.
- Oxford chose not to include ribbon markers with the current hard/softcover editions; the leather edition has two gold ribbons. One might wish for slightly wider ribbons, but that would be quibbling unnecessarily with a luxury I’ve not had before.
In the end, inasmuch as I love and use hardback Bibles, this edition has my full recommendation for the Oxford Study Bible and REB translation. The genuine leather cover, sewn binding, easier-to-read paper and useful ribbons make this a legacy-worthy edition that should withstand the rigors of regular use and I am looking forward to making it so. I will post some additional photos when I have access to my camera - for now, click here for an initial look.
** update ** Photos added - I’ll try to take some again in natural light, but this was the best I had for now.
Comments
14 Responses to “A leather look at the Oxford Study Bible”
Leave a Reply
Excellent, congratulations! Isn’t it a beautiful thing?
Wow, looks good. If my Cambridge REB falls apart I’ll probably pick up this exact edition. I’ve been enjoying the translation for the few days I’ve had it so far.
@Esteban: Yes, it is. I keep pinching myself that it’s actually in my hands. From your first descriptions of your copy, I’ve been looking and it finally paid off!
@Nathan: Start looking now. The leather-bound OSB has been out of print for quite a while now. This one was only the second one I’ve seen realistically available online in the last year. Keeping checking Amazon, eBay, Abebooks, etc.
I’m hoping to update my REB page with the leather ISBNs in a bit - that should help with searches. Eventually I’d like to spin that stuff out into its own website and/or blog about the REB.
Congratulations. It looks like it is in beautiful condition. I am sure it is something you will treasure and use for decades.
After seeing the images it looks to be made better than mine. I’ll keep an eye out, but now that I’ve got one already most of my money is probably going towards Greek resources.
Thanks, Iyov. I anticipate putting it to good use for a very long time.
Nice job. I love bibles! Tempted to save for one of these, but at last there are a few other projects at the moment that I am saving for.
Ok, I’ll get off my butt and photograph my HCSB legacy bible. I will also write what I think about it as well. Here is the teaser trailer - it is awesome!
A wonderful Bible, and the medallion on the front is quite handsome.
That’s amusing; the one part I don’t like. This one is nicer than my REB which has both the medallion and the words The Revised English Bible above it (see here).
You asked on my blog if the older OSB hardbacks had sewn bindings.
I don’t think the older hardbacks had sewn bindings. I looked at my NEB Oxford Study Edition (the earlier edition of the Oxford Study Bible) and noticed it had a glued binding. I think Oxford has been pushing glued bindings quite a while.
In general, REB OSB’s are not easy to find, especially in high quality genuine leather smyth-sewn. I’m glad you found one for yourself. It really does looks pretty nifty with the emblem on the front.
You know what I forgot to do during my recent picture taking binge? Take pictures of my copy of this Bible. I shall do so in the next round!
That’d be great, Esteban, because one thing we need for the other site is photos of the burgundy OSB…
It is fantastic phenomenon of our present world that humanity now possesses some 2000 million copies of the Scriptures in thousands of languages and thousands of editions.
On the other hand we should not forget that the Bible is a very difficult book to read. The Scriptures cannot just be read, they must be studied. It is advisable for new Bible readers that they should first get acquainted with the main story line of the Bible’s 66 books. its main characters (God, Jesus Christ, Abraham, Moses, etcetera) and its main concepts (sin, forgiveness, eternal life, etcetera). They can do this through a Bible course or through an introduction to the Bible in the form of a book or a website