In previous parts of this series, we have talked about the difference between the text and the packaging, the parts of a physical Bible, the different types of Bible available among other subjects but here we will list some of the various formats the Bibles come in. These formats can be used in a number of different Bible types with a plethora of supplemental material added to them. As usual this is not an exhaustive list.
Multi-Volume Bibles:
These, as the name implies, are not formatted in the usual single volume but come in additional volume set. Many reader Bibles or journaling/note taking Bibles come in multi-volume sets. Some have just two to six volumes, while others will have a separate volume for each biblical book.
One Year Bibles:
These Bibles are set up with portions to read for each day of the year, so the whole Bible can be read in one year.
Chronological Bibles:
These are formatted so the material is in chronological order rather than the traditional book order. Some will break up the actual books of the Bible, so they are mixed with sections of other biblical books to achieve a chronological order.
Premium Bibles:
These are special varieties of many of the Bible types discussed previously but combine superior craftsmanship with premium materials, excellent design, as well as specially created fonts and layouts. Art gilding is a specialized process for treating edges of the Bibles pages. Both a rich dye and a metallic coating are applied to create a stunning depth and finish as the pages are fanned out. These Bibles feature wide yapp (the part of the leather cover which extends beyond the page edges) to protect the art-gilding. Premium Bibles are made of animal leather and the finest Bibles are bound in goatskin; a sumptuous material that has been used in traditional bookbinding for centuries. It should be noted these Bibles are also very expensive, starting, generally, at over $100 to several hundred dollars depending on the exotic leather used. There is a warning though, once you start using a premium Bible, others will just not feel satisfying.
Rebound Bible:
A rebound is any edition of the Bible that is rebound; removing the original cover and rebinding it generally in an exotic leather turning it into a premium-like edition. This can be done with most text blocks giving it an extra special appeal. It is also done to a well-loved Bible one wishes to continue to use past the life of the original cover and to hand down to family.
Covers:
Here we are speaking of the cover material of the physical Bible not a case the one use to carry their Bible, pens and other items also known as “Bible Covers”. Bibles come in amazing variety cover material. Listed here are just some of them. Remember each of these cover types come is an assortment of colors.
- Paperback: These are the most affordable but also less durable and less enjoyable to use
- Hardcover: These are still quite affordable and more durable than paperback but not as durable than others.
- Cloth over Board: These have a hard board underlayment which is covered in a thin cloth material. These can have a very satisfying feel in one’s hands. While not considered of the quality of the fine leather Bible, I find them quite enjoyable to read from and hold. A variation on this is leather over board.
- Imitation Leather: This is a less expensive option for those desiring a leather-like material. Great advances have been made in the quality of these material in look, feel and durability. There are a great number of brand names for these imitation leathers such as TruTone, NuTone, Kervilla, LeatherTouch, or Leatherflex to name a few. Some of these coming with lifetime guarantees. On the other hand, there are still cheap imitation leathers that distinctly feel and last as one would expect cheaper material to.
- Bonded Leather: Made of recycled leather fibers bonded together. Think of particle board and you get the idea. Some bonded leather Bibles I have had have been of a good quality and lasted well. Others have not done so well. This is a less expensive leather Bible. These are mostly made from pig hide or cow hide.
- Genuine Leather: Genuine leather is always pigskin. This is the cheapest and most popular of real leathers. Pigskin covers are usually stiff and not as soft and flexible as the better-quality leathers. Genuine leather is also known as Berkshire leather.
- Top Grain Leather: Leather hide has not been sanded, buffed, or snuffed to remove natural imperfections. The result is both supple and durable.
- Cowhide: Cowhide is a soft leather, more flexible than genuine leather. Although it is considered a premium leather, it is more economical than calfskin but a higher quality than genuine leather.
- Calfskin: Calfskin leather is a higher quality leather used for finer bindings. It is unusually soft and flexible, which increases with use. Calfskin is one of the favorite leathers of book binders and are usually reserved for premium Bible.
- Goatskin: Goatskin leather is a very resilient top quality natural grain leather, strong and supple, used in the finest bindings and is only found on premium Bibles.
- Exotic Leather: An amazing array of skin types are available, usually through a rebinder, not in original productions. These would include buffalo, shark, alligator, giraffe and even elephant.
Bibles Layout:
The area of Bible layout deals with how the text are laid out on the page. It has two main concerns, the number of columns and the verse format. The two main choices for column – single column and double column. The variant on this is the placement of reference notations if included in the edition. References will be placed in a center column, on the inside margin, on the outside margin or at the bottom.
The other issue is verse layout. Choices are verse by verse, i.e., each verse on its own line, or paragraph. The advantage of verse by verse is the ease of finding a verse on the page thus tends to be favored by preachers and teacher so they can find their place quickly. While the advantage of the paragraph format is the displaying the text in logical thought group of a paragraph making it easier to get the sense of the passage.
These two areas will be combined so you could have a single column verse by verse or paragraph with reverences if included on the inner margin, outer margin or at the bottom. You could also have double column paragraph or verse by verse with options for references as the single column plus the additional option of a center column references.
This is just the main issues with text layout, but there are many other issues of font style and size. Size plays a part in whether the Bible is considered a large print or not. Very large fonts will be called “Giant Print” Bibles. Also, whether the words of Jesus would be printed in red, known as a “Red Letter” Bible or same as other text know as a “Black Letter” Bible.
Until the next time we see you here at CultivatingFaith.org, God Bless! #CultivatingFaithOrg