Buying that perfect one
I wrote here that my Bible broke. So, I had to buy another one. Not difficult, you might think considering the Bible is the best selling book every year and has been since records were kept. People buy it up like marmalade at the women’s coffee hour.Strangely, though, a suitable replacement Bible was very difficult to find. After hours searching online and several trips to local book shops, I could not find a good pocket NRSV anywhere. So what does a young blogger do when faced with a problem? Search for blogs.
Well lo and behold, I came across a fantastic blog on Bibles run by Mark Bertrand. This guy is amazing and has an entire post on NRSV pocket Bibles–with pictures, no less. Even so, Mark had bad news: nobody prints a great NRSV pocket Bible that’s actually pocket-sized and a worthwhile printing. Since my Bible broke, I wanted something that would last me. St. Mark says they don’t exist. (Do check out his site though, it’s really fascinating.)
But, Mark did send me a curious link to RL Allan, a Bible shop in Glasgow that has been making handcrafted Bibles since 1863. So I stopped by their office–not a retail store, an office building four floors up through two buzzer-equipped doors–to check it out. There I found two very kind Scots (actually, one was English) who talked me through their binding process and gave me some options.
Sadly, even fancy Bible makers don’t do NRSV pocket Bibles. But RL Allan did have a beautiful calfskin handcrafted regular size Bible that’s just a beauty and sure to last a lifetime. Sure, it’s not cheap (ok, it’s ridiculously expensive), but it’s bound by the Queen’s binder and, as they say, an investment (also, it was after Christmas and I had the money).
Here’s a pic of the new Bible.
Notice the gold-edged pages, marking ribbon, and initials. But the real quality is in how the quality feels to the touch.
But I still need a pocket NRSV, you say? No siree, because kind man at RL Allan gave me a free pocket Bible he had lying around. It’s nothing to write home about (ironic), but it will do the job.
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How muhc did you spend? I have moral objections to spending more than $50 on a Bible and buying a Bible more than once every ten year.
$125. As to moral objections, I hear you, but picking and choosing what purchases to object to gets dangerous quite quickly.
My money went to support a small independent company of three people that has sold quality Bibles for almost 150 years. I don’t really feel guilty about it.
Now, I do feel guilty about buying that extra pair of socks made in China, or not buying the car with the highest possible m.p.g, or eating strawberrys in February that were flown in from warmer climes.
But I take your point that the purchase could be deemed excessive. On the other hand, it’s by far the book I used most often–every day, sometimes for hours–so it’s worth buying one that will last.
Thanks for the comment, Fred.
adam,
man, oh, man i am so happy you blogged about this. i have spent ages looking for a good pocket nrsv – something i can take to class or carry around. i am quite disappointed that your research revealed no such item. well, at least now i know! i’ll buy two if i ever find one. which i probably won’t but if i do, don’t you worry.
hope all is well! many misses to you and megan!
I got a great slimline pocket NRSV a couple of years ago from Richies Christian Bookshop in Kilmarnock, leather bound with a zipper. But its not an easy thing to find, mine was published by World Publishing in Nashville.
I didn’t know about RL Allan, I will remember that store if I ever need a special Bible.
A book with a zipper just doesn’t seem right to me. What’s next, computers with snaps?
The NRSV pocket Allan gave me is suitable Taylor, but it’s one-column which is weird and not easily readable. It’s published by World Bible Publishers and printed in Belgium.
On a related note, I saw that John Knox Press is to release the first recent edition of the NRSV study bible in 2009. I’m pretty pumped about that, because my Oxford study NRSV is on its last legs as well.
Ah the zipper is great for a Bible that you throw in a bag or rucksack (I used it for uni) it keeps it shut and stops the pages getting crumpled when you stuff something in on top of it, very necessary if you are careless like me!!
Hi Adam
I’ve been enjoying your blog – and feel your pain! I have a wonderful pocket NRSV that even has the PCUSA logo on the front (oooooo!) that is starting to show its age! I haven’t been able to locate one but you’ve inspired me to start looking… If I find anything great, I’ll let you know.
As for your new one – I’m drooling!
Signed,
A confessing bibliophile!
The memory of my first bible – a white leather, red-letter, zipper -bound KJV given to me by my grandmother in 1962- caused me to turn round to my bookshelf and take it up. It’s a great size – even illustrated. Almost readable for my eyes – my wish it to find a zippered pocket NSRV with readable for bifocal (contacts or glasses) wearing folks – the zipper does really protect the pages and keeps the whole thing intact longer when toting it about – and even keeps notes and helps (like Emily M mentioned) inside and at hand.
I do enjoy your posts, and those of your contributors – keep it up!
I see this is an older post, but what a coincidence. I wrote a post about my little experience looking for a small NRSV as well. I had not come across Mark Bertrand’s blog but I would have appreciated it at the time. Anyway, I am very happy with the one I found online!
Here is my experience: http://irreligiouslife.wordpress.com/2008/10/04/why-is-it-so-hard-to-find-a-good-bible/
Ahaan… I will follow.