Allan's Reference ESV in Tan Goatskin

Nothing I have ever done in the course of my life has generated more enmity among the wives of quality-conscious Bible readers than my original review of the Allan's ESV in black goatskin. As a result of that little essay, countless people have learned firsthand the devastating effects of a weak dollar, and many more have promised themselves to take a trip some day to the Glaswegian promised land where R. L. Allan's is to be found. No doubt they have also hardened their hearts to the plight of the "highland goat," which must by now be an endangered species (so much so that Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, who pastored in Glasgow for many years, told me he'd never heard of such a creature).

For all this, I can offer no apology. My black goatskin ESV from Allan's is splendid, and the new tan one only gets better.

It should be no secret by now that, while I always find something to quibble about, I really like most of the Bibles I write about here. I wouldn't waste time using and photographing and thinking about them if that weren't the case. But I love some more than others, and none more than the Bibles of R. L. Allan's. On this topic, I find it hard to remain objective. I find it hard not to gush. To understand that, you need to know a little history.

THE BEGINNING OF THE QUEST THAT NEVER ENDS
There is no such thing as the perfect Bible. First there are all those translation options that make it hard to settle on just one. Then, there are the features. And the bindings, of course. The more I see of what's available (and possible), the longer my unattainable list of "must-haves" becomes. But it wasn't always that way. When I first started out, my goal was very simple. I wanted the most flexible, durable edition I could find, because I was tired of treating my Bible with kid gloves just to prevent it from falling apart. At the time, the options seemed much more limited than they are now. From my general interest in fine binding, I knew that bonded leather and genuine leather were not the only options. Cambridge had introduced me to the pleasures of calfskin, but at the time offered nothing in goatskin. At the end of a long, unproductive Internet quest, that included a fair bit of disappointing blind purchases, I finally discovered R. L. Allan and Sons.

My first Allan's Bible was a Oxford Brevier Blackface KJV bound in Cape Levant goatskin, and it was a revelation. Much better than the Nelson Signature KJV and even the best Cambridge I had at the time. What I liked about the Allan's edition was that it was both high quality and "old school." Some high end Bibles -- the ones that use soft, matte-finish calfskin -- look casual, for lack of a better word. They remind me of a Renaissance Festival interpretation of old books. By contrast, my Allan's KJV had a gloss and a level of finish that struck me as more authentic, and certainly a greater pleasure to use. If you've ever handled an Allan's ESV or KJV side-by-side with another high end edition, you'll know just what I mean.

Ever since that first goatskin Brevier, I've measured everything against the Allan's standard. Surprisingly few things compare. I'd group Crossway's cordovan calfskin editions up there (provided you get a brown one, not the purplish hue) and the goatskin editions from Cambridge, but not much else. I'm afraid it's not a difference you can see in photos or comprehend through words. You have to feel it, really.

BLACK OR TAN?
I pre-ordered one of the original black goatskin ESVs from Allan's when they were first announced -- which is why the one in the photos is stamped Oxford on the spine (an oversight). Over time, I've had no complaints with the binding. I wish I could monkey around with the interior, transforming it to a single column layout, and additional ribbons wouldn't go amiss, but otherwise I've been entirely pleased. So much so that when the tan version came out, I was able to resist for quite a long time. The edition in the photos is from the latest run of the tan edition. After using it for awhile, I find I really prefer it.

A quick run-down of the differences: the new versions now have two ribbons instead of one, and sixteen double-sided lined pages in back for notes. The cover is a mid-tan, with a dark brown lining inside. Otherwise things look the same. Semi-yapp edges, which are those overhangs along the cover that serve to protect the pages. Art-gilt pages -- i.e., red/gold gilt. Both are black-letter Anglicized editions, and apart from that identical inside to the Crossway text blocks American readers will be familiar with.

I'm not sure how useful it is to make side-by-side comparisons between the covers, because goatskin is a natural product and you should see variations in every example. But as you can see from the photos, the tan cover has a larger, looser grain than the black. Running my fingertips over the cover, I can feel the grain on the tan, where the black is much smoother. The tan is more pebbled and the black more striated, which gives the black a slightly more refined look. Of course, black is more refined than tan, and that's part of tan's appeal.

FLEXIBLE AND FLAT
Like the earlier black edition, the tan is a prodigy of limpness. It feels wonderful in the hand and opens flat like it should. Handling this one alongside the Cambridge Wide Margin NASB reminds me again how much a factor size is in these considerations. A small Bible, no matter how well bound, is not going to feel as limp or lay as flat as a large one. Genesis and Revelation don't open as wide or stay as flat with the ESV's proportions as they do with the larger wide margin. Still, don't let that detract from your enjoyment. The Allan's ESV starts off excellent and improves with age.

THE TEXT & OTHER EDITIONS
The text of the English Standard Version in this edition does not reflect the changes introduced in 2007. According to David Dewey in the comments here, Collins is planning to reprint the Anglicized ESV in May 2008, so I don't expect the updates to appear in an Allan's edition until after that date. If I receive any additional information on this score, I'll pass it along.

I would love to see R. L. Allan offer other editions of the English Standard Version, in particular the forthcoming single-column Pocket Reference. For that matter, I'd love to see them do their own versions of every Bible I like -- that's how impressed I am with the quality of their offerings.

SO, IT'S A YES, THEN?
Absolutely. I know it's hard, given the exchange rate, to visit Bibles-Direct.com and pull the trigger on a Bible sight unseen. In fact, the reason I took photos and posted them with that first review was that, before purchase, I'd never seen a decent picture of an Allan's edition. Hopefully the ones I've included here give you a good idea of what to expect. If you read the ESV and you're looking for the one Bible that will stand up over years of use, this is the one. For that matter, whatever translation you refer, visit the R. L. Allan site and see what's on offer. There's an NRSV bound in goatskin due out this month (October 2007), some pocket-sized TNIVs in goatskin with silk lining -- which I haven't seen but would dearly love to, and a variety of NIVs and KJVs. As I get my hands on more, I'll review them, but in the meantime, I encourage you to discover them for yourself.

LINKS
R. L. Allan and Son Publishers at Bibles-Direct.com

Comments

[John]

I completely agree on single-column paragraph format. Hopefully Collins will do something with the new personal reference when it comes out.

What do you think of the format of the HCSB Minister's Bible? Rather big, but a wonderful format.

[matt]

Thank you so much Mark for the article and pictures...I could not number the times or hours that I spent googling for Tan ESV pics.

The Tan looks awesome. The gold, Tan, red, colors seem to blend quite nicely together. This may be sad, but I tend to get bored of black, eventhough it is classic.

Mark,
If you were only allowed one Allans ESV would you take Black or Tan?

Curious, It seems that you have black ribbons on the black ESV, is this true? I know the most recent Allan editions installed Navy ribbons with the black covers.

[Mark]

I read the first line of this essay to my wife who said to me, "Apparently you're not the only one!"

However, none of the five Bibles I have purchased under "The Bertrand Spell" are R.L. Allan editions.

Yet.

According to the website, Allan has this month released a black goatskin leather, semi yapp style, red under gold page edges NRSV.

Shallowing breathing and an increased pulse are a sign that "The Spell" has returned.

[J. Mark Bertrand]

John -- Quite a few people have mentioned the Holman CSB Minister's Bible to me, and I've checked it out at the stores. I agree that it looks interesting. I wonder how popular it's been for them? Based on the feedback I've gotten, I'm guessing very.

Matt -- Yes, the ribbon on my original black Allan ESV is black. I wondered why you guys were calling them navy. Just assumed you were all blind. :) If I had to choose between the two, I'd go with the tan. It's quite distinctive.

Mark -- Ah, the Bertrand Spell. Imagine these words echoing from every corner of the room: "Maaarrrk. Buy the NRSVeeee. Drive South a couple of hourssss and show it to meeee." Apologies to your wife if my hypnotic suggestion succeeds!

[Mark]

"Yes, Maaaasster, your wish is my commmmaaaaand. The NRSVeee has been ordered and is on it's waaaaaay. What is the exchange rate but mere numberrrrs on a paaaage? Bwahahahaha."

And of course you'll have a chance to see it when I make the trip south. (If there's any money left over for gas, that is). At any rate, the trip to the glowing entrance of Aladdin's cave and turquoise water buffalo hides may have to be window shopping only.

Oh, no apologies are necessary. Of the trip your way my wife said, "That'll be a stitch."

[Jesus Saenz]

The Bertrand Spell? I asked the pharmacist if there was anything I could take for it... he asked me to leave.

Before clicking the button on the black ESV, I contacted RL Allan for a picture of their Tan ESV, sadly they didn't have one so I bought the black one... with the navy ribbons. : ) The leather is so thick and grainy that the gold stamping on the spine didn't take well and now is a little flaked. I was going to return it but then after considering how thick and soft the leather is I kept it.

I may buy a tan one after they use the updated ESV. Who am I kidding? I will most likely buy the tan.

Ahh, yes, a Personal Reference ESV by RL Allan would be close to filling my Bible wish list.

sad thing this Bertrand Spell.

[Kent Pirkle]

I ordered an Allan ESV on January 1st of this year based on your first review. I finally got it in May after they reprinted them and absolutely love it!

[PDS]

This site is great. Never heard of RL Allan, so I guess I'll need to check it out!

Thanks Mark for another great review. Appreciate you taking the time to do so.

[David Dewey]

Mark, thanks for the review, to which I add an 'Amen'. I have an Allan's Tan ESV from their first production run. It has two ribbons, but not the extra 32 writing pages. It remains my most prized Bible. Apparently, only 15 were produced, so it will probably never get to meet any of its siblings. However, the Cambridge Pitt Minion wide margin sounds tempting, and may persuade me not to bother with Crossway's wide margin ESV (I was thinking of getting the trutone portfolio cover which should be in production about now: http://www.gnpcb.org/product/9781581349016 )

As a Brit, thankfully, I don't have to worry about the exchange rate as far as Allan's is concerned. For those who are, I note Allan's also offer a slightly cheaper black goatskin (not highland) ESV. It lacks the writing pages and does not have leather linings or a second ribbon, but is $40 less. But you'd probably regret not going for the highland version.

[Brian Blair]

Another great Allan post - how can the company who make such great Bibles have such a cronky website - Mark is their Marketing Director-at-large!

I am awaiting my Allan ESV in black and the UK postal strike has not helped me. I also got the Cordovan ESV trutone today and for £10 I am very impressed. I hope that my Allan smells as good as my Cambridge Bible - they seem to get a lovely antiseptic fresh smell on the pages, no idea how that works but it must be print/paper.

As an aside, I was also impressed by the [insert lightning strike] "bonded" leather binding of The Net Bible - anyone else found it rather nice?

[matt]

Brian - Out of curiousity, how long is it taking you to get your allans bible. I am considering ordering the Tan ESV, but wondering if it will take longer because of the strike.

BTW Allan smells as good as it looks...IMHO Cambridge doesnt compare in that regard.

[ElShaddai Edwards]

Brian noted:

As an aside, I was also impressed by the [insert lightning strike] "bonded" leather binding of The Net Bible - anyone else found it rather nice?

I've been looking to get one of those as well - did you get the First Edition or Reader's Edition? Any negatives? How is the paper quality?

Thanks,
ElShaddai

[J. Mark Bertrand]

Re: the NET Bible, I'm disappointed to see that they still haven't stripped the odd chapter:verse numbering out of the text, which always irritated me in the original edition, which is the one I have. Love the notes, but that quirky design choice -- which makes it look like the text was copied off a verse-per-line web page and pasted into the layout without being properly reformatted -- never fails to distract.

[Keith]

Matt, I ordered the Tan ESV yesterday. Eric at the company said it will ship Monday 10/22 and take about a week. I can't wait. I wonder if they have seen an order spike since Mark's review and photos.

[matt]

If I were Allan's I would put mark on the payroll and let him design the "Bertrand Bible edition".

Mark,
do you really know if your essays have spiked Allan's sales?

[J. Mark Bertrand]

I have no idea what the effect on sales is whenever I post a review, but I'm sure the bottom line of Bible-addiction therapists everywhere is greatly improved. Then again, who'd want to be cured?

[BLDavis]

Great site you have here, Mark.

I have a used-yet-in-like-new-condition Black Allan's ESV coming to me from a friend who claims the type is too small for his aging eyes. I can't wait for it to arrive. So you all won't covet I'll spare telling you the price ;-)

I do hope that Allan's or Cambridge does something with the paragraph format. I did pre-order a personal size reference bible from Crossway to toss in my work bag. It would be nice to have this edition or one like it from Allan's.

Brian

[Brian Blair]

I have had the Allan Esv for a week now and oh boy do I love it. The smell, the feeling, I just can't put it down. When it first arrived it was a bit stiff and I was a bit worried; but like really good new shoes, it has to be like that as it is so well made. I have turned all the pages and handled it a lot and it has gradually got better and better - in a year it should be amazing. It smells just as good as my Cambridges and the paper is as good as my beloved old Oxford KJV's.

I got the £65 version that does not have all the blank pages and I guess a slightly coarser goat!

On the Net Bible: the paper is very thin but so far has not damaged and as I said before its the best bonded leather I have come across. Last night in a new Bible study it was a really useful Bible to have due to the extensive notes. There were 5 diff translations present at the study and it was a good source back to the Greek etc.

Back to Allan, I realise one must not get too hung up on looks etc when talking about the word of God, but if you have a Bible that makes you want to pick it up and read then that must be a good thing?

[matt]

brian - Congratulations on getting the Allan's bible. I plan to order a Tan ESV pretty soon...as soon as I can rationalize the extra cost.

by "stiff" did you mean that the book block was stiff or the cover?

[PDS]

I ordered one today -- last tan one on the shelf! :) Don't worry, more are coming in a week or so. The gentleman I spoke with at Allan's was super knowledgeable, courteous and answered many of the questions I had (ex: highland goatskin vs goatskin etc). Fascinating...and looking forward to receiving it. Can we say "Mark made me do it?"

[PDS]

Brian - because of the way the regular goatskin finish is completed, heat must be applied. On the highland goatskin (because of the slightly higher quality), it is hand-finished with no heat applied. And here is the key...heat does cause the goatskin (or any leather) to stiffen a bit. Regardless, even regular goatskin, as you attest to, is incredibly nice. Thanks for the testimonial -- I'll post mine after I get it and use it. And, I think that's been Mark's point...some of what we talk about may seem extreme, but if it is a product that causes you to cherish it and use it MORE, is that a bad thing?

[matt]

PDS - you bought the one I was going to get...hehe. I am ordering next week with the new shipment. Do you know if the new shipment is a new printing?

[PDS]

I don't know -- sorry about stealing your Bible! I'll let you know how it is! :)

[Carol]

Just curious, but does it have book introductions or maps?

[PDS]

Where did I read that it does not have either?