Review of Crossway’s Thinline Cordovan Calfskin Edition
J. Mark Bertrand recently published an extensive review of the binding of the ESV Thinline Cordovan Calfskin edition (which sells for $149.99). He calls it “the best manufacturer ‘premium’ binding I have ever handled.”
We asked Dallas Richards, Crossway’s Director of Production Services and the person responsible for the production of all Crossway’s Bibles, to respond:
Mark mentions the risk involved in Crossway doing this product, presumably since it uses fine materials that most Bible publishers avoid because of the expense and challenge to bind. Perhaps any publishing venture is a risk; but in the case of this publisher, it was done because they loved it and wanted their customers to have access to a finely bound Bible.
Any Bible publisher undertakes a huge commitment in expense in addition to opening themselves up to myriad questions and criticisms. Serious Bible users/buyers can be much more emotional about their purchases than the usual book buyer. The reality of publishing is that you need to carry inventories including Bibles that are mostly traditional and conventional (read cost-efficient and affordable).
The flexibility of these traditional bindings may not be as pleasing, as Mark points out, although they do become more flexible over time with use. For the average Bible buyer, a conventional binding is fine since his or her priority may lean toward affordability of the specific version that they want.
We appreciate the same production values pointed out in the review—distinctive binding that is flexible, friendly to the hand and durable. It was done because we discovered binding craftsmen with access to fine materials and the capabilities to put together a product that we love to use ourselves.
A global effort, it is printed in France on fine French paper, with initial binding steps done in Belgium, and completed in the US by hand using covers from Mexico. Even the box is unique, with a cigar-box type hinged lid. The cover was chosen for its distinctive color and supple smoothness. We wanted a high-quality cover with leather lined-to-the-edge rather than imitation endsheets/lining used in conventional Bibles. Made by hand, the stitching adds strength and decorative effect that our customers agree make for a fine product. The resulting Bible costs six to seven times as much to manufacture as a typical bonded leather edition.
Since the binding includes steps done by hand individually, not every book is the same and may have an imperfection due to the nature of the materials and the process. Such is the nature (and the risk) of this type of binding. But thank you, Mark, for recognizing the value of a Bible like the ESV Thinline Cordovan Calfskin. We appreciate such high praise from a very discriminating customer and ESV-lover.
At the time of this writing, you can buy the ESV Thinline Cordovan Calfskin from Amazon.com or CBD for just under $100. If you appreciate fine bindings and want a Bible that will last, this edition provides you a great opportunity.
