A Review of the Crossway ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible in Genuine Black Leather.

The Crossway ESV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible in black genuine leather is a great value. The suggested retail on the box is $84.99, but it can be found on Amazon for $55.30 at the time of writing. Christianbook.com has it for $51.99. If you’d rather buy it direct from Crossway you can get it for $59.99 here. It comes in a cardboard clamshell box. The Bible is printed and bound in China. Personally, I’d rather they print them here in the U.S. but I understand why they still print them in China. There is also a good publisher in South Korea. I hope they consider moving to South Korea if not to the states.

The leather is not that shiny cheap feeling pig skin leather you might find on Bibles from other publishers. This leather seems to actually be cowhide leather. The leather cover has a pleasant amount of grain to it. It isn’t like Highland goatskin with lots of texture, and it isn’t smooth like some ironed calfskin leather covers. It is case bound. Meaning the text block is connected to the cover via the end pages, and a sheet of vinyl covered paper that spans the front, and one on the rear inner covers as a liner.

The spine is smyth-sewn, making it durable, and flexible.

If you have purchased Crossway Bibles that were made in China, you won’t be surprised by anything with this one. The paper is on par with what they have used in the past, and the printing is clear, and sharp. The pages are not as opaque as more expensive Bibles, but remember, this one is a great value.

I don’t think you can do much better for the money. You get the reliable English Standard Version text laid out in a double column paragraph format with 10.5 pt. font. You also get cross references in the footer of the pages.

This is a black letter edition. There is one black ribbon marker. Like most Chinese sourced Bibles, the ribbon marker is kind of weak on this edition. In the rear of the Bible you get a concordance, and maps. This Bible includes a lifetime warranty from Crossway.

If you’d like to see the rest of the pictures please visit my Flickr album here.

As I mentioned above, this is a good value. If you are in the market for a large print, but don’t want to carry around a thick, heavy, Bible, this one definitely fits the niche, and budget.