Tuesday, July 21, 2015

My NRSV w/ Apocrypha Compact Rebind

Over the years, I have had a few bibles rebound by the fine people at Leonard's.  Each time, I have always been extremely satisfied with the finished project.  This time around, I decided to try someone else, upon recommendation from a friend.  So, I connected with Diego Caloca, who is new to this industry.  According to Diego, he desires to begin a "Bible rebinding ministry that I believe the LORD has put on my heart. I would love to give my spare time to my brothers and sisters all over the USA."  Sounded good to me!

 So, I sent Diego a brand new HarperOne NRSV w/Apocrypha compact edition.  I love the portability of this bible.  Also, it is very easy to read from, even though it is a compact.  Also, it is smyth-sewn, which is an important element of any rebind.  Diego was able to complete the project in about 3 weeks and I couldn't be happier with the results.  The formerly bonded leather bible with one blue ribbon, now is covered in lambskin leather, with a lamb cover liner, and lamb end pages.  The blue ribbon has been removed and replaced with two higher quality brown ones.  This is also the first Bible that I have had with a yapp.  On the spine are blind imprinted "Holy Bible", "NRSV", and my initials "TPM".  

 I have included some pictures below.  Let me know if you have any questions.  




  
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23 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 3:26 AM

    Tim,

    Nice rebound! Any reason for getting this edition instead of HaperOne's Catholic compact edition?

    Michael P.

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  2. TimothyJuly 21, 2015 at 3:50 AM

    Michael,

    They don't make the compact in a Catholic edition for some reason. They do have a Catholic thinline in the NRSV, but I wanted something small. (I also have come to like having both the Hebrew and Greek books of Esther in full.)

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  3. AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 5:01 AM

    Thanks, Timothy. I see that now.

    Some questions: is this the Anglicized edition? How's the font size and bleedthrough? How do you like it compared to your Oxford compact NRSV in leather(out of print)?

    Michael P.

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  4. TimothyJuly 21, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    This is the standard edition, not the anglicized.
    The ghosting is not really a problem with this edition since the paper is white and the print is dark black. This is much better than there first edition NRSV go-anywhere Bible. I would say the size of the font to be around 6.5.

    This one is more readable than the Oxford for sure.

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  5. UnknownJuly 21, 2015 at 6:48 AM

    Tim,

    Are you able to say how much that set you back? If not publicly, could you email me privately and let me know? Did it include any spine sewing?

    Thanks
    Eric

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  6. UnknownJuly 21, 2015 at 7:11 AM

    Tim,

    Could you compare/contrast the features of the rebind vs Leonards? It looks like they bind in a similar style. How is the blind stamping between the two? Raised bands? Thickness of the leather? Etc.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TimothyJuly 21, 2015 at 7:18 AM

      Eric,

      Leonard's is going to be a more professional experience, since they have been doing things a lot longer. With Diego, you provide him the materials, and then give a donation for the labor.

      Overall, it is difficult to compare, because I have gotten larger Bibles rebound by Leonard's.

      Also, I haven't had leather lined or endpapers until this edition. I will say, with that in mind, that I will try to do that with all subsequent Bibles in the future.

      One other thing I would say is that Diego was very good to work with. We made some adjustments and additions after the process began.

      I am very happy with it.

      Delete
  7. rolfJuly 21, 2015 at 8:57 AM

    Very nice, it looks very soft! Full yapp is nice on a smaller to medium size Bibles, it does not make them too large as it does on larger size Bibles, IMHO. Green is in!

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  8. AnonymousJuly 21, 2015 at 3:36 PM

    Unusual color for a handy Bible...
    But nevertheless, green is visually soothing to the eyes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 22, 2015 at 10:01 PM

    This may be out of topic, but speaking of liturgical colors, I am with legalizing the color blue as liturgical color for the Blessed Virgin Mary.

    Surprised to find out that the use of blue as liturgical color is not permitted as per GIRM.

    Anyone who agrees with me?

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownJuly 23, 2015 at 6:58 AM

    Gerald-I suspect some of the reasoning why its not allowed is that association of blue with the Blessed Mother. During liturgy, we are in an act of worship which should be directed solely towards God. Having blue may imply worship towards the Blessed Mother, which wouldn't be correct.

    Also on a practical matter-vestments aren't inexpensive and I don't know a lot of parishes that would want to shell out extra monies for vestments when the monies could be better spent feeding the poor.

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  11. Jason EngelJuly 23, 2015 at 7:18 AM

    Very nice indeed. Diego's work consistently impresses me, as does his willingness to learn and develop new techniques. His work is all the more impressive considering he is self-taught and this is what he does as a hobby in his spare time.

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  12. owenswainJuly 23, 2015 at 6:27 PM

    Hi Timothy,

    (I know, you may have thought I was not around and that's true, not much around but every now and then and, here I am).

    I have this bible also It is a lovely NRSV.

    Craft-sewn in such an inexpensive bible is excellent. Mine fell open and flat from the outset as often only costly bibles do.

    The text block is lovely with ample eye-room to read the 6pt yet very clear font. I find it easier to read than an NRSV-NT&P that I have from Cambridge.

    For a compact bible, any compact bible to include the complete Apocrypha not merely those books recognized as Deuterocanonical by the RCC and still come under an inch thick is exceptional.

    One ribbon, well, much more expensive bibles come with one ribbon so I can be forgiving on that point ;-)

    I rather like the original blue colour for the leather. But, it is typical nasty-stiff bonded. I cannot afford to send to the US to have a new cover made so I do my non patented method of an application of Neatsfoot Oil, wrapped in cloth, rubbed by hand and repeat this until my bible-nerd self is satisfied. I also use my non patented method of adding good ribbons, usually three and the thing looks very good and apart from the added protection of a yapp, it's good to go for a long life.

    I suppose asking for a cross-reference in something with a trim size of 4x6.25" is simply too much. However, the only slightly wider and taller but no deeper (in the spine) and significantly more expensive series of Cambridge ESV Pitt Minion NRSV Cross Reference bibles, as the name declares, manage to be very, very readable and contain a decent reference system. The Lexicon 1 font is stunning, really, really is. 15 very good maps complete the book. No Apocrypha of any kind, sadly, but we know that going in (only one ESV edition in the world has the Apocrypha - maybe someday I'll get it if it's still in print if that time comes for me).

    Together, both these bibles are my daily (devotion/meditation/prayer) readers now. No notes other than translator notes in either but using the NRSV and the ESV together may seem like an unlikely but their contrast and oddly their common KJV/RSV/ETC patrimony works for me. Per notes, well goodness knows I have a few other bibles and source books to reference when desired.

    P.S. Timothy, I hope the length of this comment meets your expectation ;-)

    P.P.S. Back to relative silence now. Cheers.

    ReplyDelete
  13. owenswainJuly 23, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    "may seem like an unlikely" should read "may seem like an unlikely choice but" . . .

    Seems I cannot make a post without an error. Oh happy fault...

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousJuly 24, 2015 at 7:49 AM

    Would just like to agree with Owen that the combination of NRSV and ESV works well for me as well.
    EC.

    ReplyDelete
  15. wxmarcJuly 24, 2015 at 11:13 AM

    I keep wondering if I should try getting one of my bibles rebound. I have a hardcover REB with Apocrypha that would be a nice candidate for it. I'm a little torn about it, though. I like the feel of a leather bible, but I also like the stiffness of a hardcover. Sometimes, leather seems too floppy when I'd like something that maintains its shape in my hand. Maybe I should stick with the hardcover, but these pictures sure look tempting!

    ReplyDelete
  16. rolfJuly 24, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Wxmarc, you could have Leonard's rebind that REB with a genuine leather covered hardcover, a stiffer leather like pigskin or my favorite the extra thick cowhide (which is soft, flexible but not floppy). Now you could go with a soft leather Bible cover ( non zippered) to put over your hard cover which is what I did for my hardcover Oxford REB Study Bible. I bought the large size from Siemon's (from christianbook.com) for about $25. It was tight when I first put it on but it quickly stretched to fit it perfectly! Do you have the Oxford Study Bible version of the REB or another?

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  17. wxmarcJuly 24, 2015 at 1:00 PM

    Thank you for the suggestions, Rolf. That gives me some additional food for thought. I have the Cambridge text edition with Apocrypha (which is no longer in print, unfortunately). The ISBN is 0-521-50940-8 in case you're interested. It's smaller than the Oxford Study Bible edition, but a very nice size to hold in my hand for long periods.

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  18. rolfJuly 24, 2015 at 4:20 PM

    wxmarc, yes I have that Cambridge REB Bible in leather and it is a very nice size.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownJuly 25, 2015 at 5:11 AM

    wxmarc-One other option - get a leather hardback (Leonard's will do them, but they would prefer to use a thinner leather). That way you have the rigidity of the hardback and the feel of leather. Best of both worlds!

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousJuly 8, 2016 at 8:32 PM

    Hello there. Hey, I just wanted to let you know that we have just launched Diego’s new webpage. Maybe you can check it out and share as you see fit.

    http://www.calocabible.com

    Blessings!

    Jeremy Strang
    www.jeremybstrang.com

    ReplyDelete