1966 Jerusalem Bible - Hardcover or Leatherette?

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I’m searching for a 1966 JB for my wife as a gift. She will use it primarily for Lectio Divina and I can’t decide between the red Hardcover or the Leatherette Version. I found a few to choose from at the usual online places.

Those that have the 1966 versions, are there differences in size, weight, page quality? Which do you prefer, hardcover or leatherette?

I’d also like to get her the bible cover that Mother Angelica used https://www.ewtnreligiouscatalogue....essories/WORD+OF+GOD+TAPESTRY+BIBLE+COVER.axd. Think it would fit the leather JB but perhaps too small for the hardcover format. Any ideas?
 
Hi @GaryM I’m a bibliophile and I love collecting old books. My honest opinion: Go for full leather binding!!! Nothing can compare to it! It is simply the most luxurious, pleasant, durable, both hand-crafted and artful binding you can get for a book. There is nothing better than full leather binding!

[Ok, the very very rich used to have full-gold binding on their books covers with precious stones encrusted - but lets not overdo it…]

I have several 400 hundred year old books with original leather binding sitting on my book shelf next to me, and they are as good as new. Every single time you handle one of those bindings it is pure a pleasure.

Binding is also an art -century old- one might and perhaps should add…I’ll leave this link to a contemporary book binder who does nothing short of art. Although it is not in English the pictures speak tons for themselves and give you a good idea of what can be done [On the right column you can see some of the authors award winning binding]: http://marcopedrosareliure.blogspot.pt/
 
I also like the feel of leather Bibles. However the 1966 Jerusalem Bible comes in a leather-like cover and are considerably harder to find in decent condition. Seems like the larger red hardcovers are more available. The leather work in that link is impressive. I imagine that would entail shipping a book to him for rebinding which would definitely increase the cost.
 
GaryM said:
The leather work in that link is impressive. I imagine that would entail shipping a book to him for rebinding which would definitely increase the cost.
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I included the link hopping you’d like it (for it is an almost forgotten form of art, well deserving of our attention). Regarding your book: I would say the price of an antique book increases 10X to 20X fold between Europe and the USA. I am left amazed with some of the going US prices…Yes, if you decide on binding the cost of a couple hours of work in the USA are your shipping costs going both ways. If you do ship overseas, the normal cost of a rebind in the US will get you almost a month of full time dedicated work from an apprentice artisan supervised by a consecrated master artisan - every single detail can be customized and chosen by you. You should very carefully taking your pick and negotiate over email: When and how much. And periodic pictures should be sent to you as work unfolds.

You asked, so I gave a complete “Catholic Answer” to the best of my bibliophile knowledge. [Any reputable bibliophile should be expected to do the same.]
 
Hi adgloriam and Happy and Blessed Easter!! WOW! Thank you for taking the time to provide such a detailed response (s). It was very kind. Goes to show how much I know about books … had no idea there was that much that went into it. My wife, although not an expert, has a library full of books and displays books all around our house, and she appreciates books in perfect condition. While she’s not a collector by any means, one could mistake her for one. 🙂

This JB gift for her will be a working bible, meaning it will get daily use. As you suggest, I will do some internet searches and perhaps a library visit to see the differences. Finding one in like new condition will just take a little time to investigate, but worth the effort I think to have one that will last for years. And as you said, sending it off to get re-bound, is definitely an option to consider! Thanks again!
 
Here’s one I found, in full French Morocco Leather:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

I highly value it too! I found it at a bookstore in Pittsburgh for $175 in mint condition still in the original matching slipcase/box, which had it listed on the internet with ABE.

Personally I prefer hardcover books to limp leather ones. I sent back the Ignatius Study Bible in limp leather for the hardback version. I think they are more durable and easier to handle. But that is just me…

For your mate, who wants a working Bible, it may be better to consider just the ordinary hardback. I would never dream of using my JB for anything other than devotional use due to its fine condition. Although I do like the JB for its plentiful notes and unique translation (always using Yaweh in place of Lord in the OT)

I’m another bibliophile like adgloriam! I have had many dozens of books rebound in leather over the years. It is costly and time consuming, but always worth it. For example to rebind the above Bible in quality leather (with a US bookbinder) would run about 3-5 hundred dollars minimum. Extra gilding, labeling and other necessary repairs could increase the price still further. Great leather bound JB’s are still out there for a good price. I bought mine just two years ago.
 
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AmbroseSJ, that is beautiful! My wife will be using it for devotionals only, not for writing in the margins. So something like yours would be ideal! Is your version the 1970 JB with the Salvador Dali illustrations? Only reason I ask, is the front cover design looks like the hardback ones i saw on ebay?
 
The leatherette version is very thin paper and about half the thickness and weight of the red hardback. I did a comparison a number of years ago for Tim McCormick’s blog (including a few comparison photos): CatholicBiblesBlog.com is for sale | HugeDomains

I’d recommend the leatherette over the standard hardback any day of the week and twice on Sunday.
 
tvknight415, that was the exact side by side comparison of the ’66 JB formats I was looking for. Great review!

Do you have any experience with the 1970 JB? Other than the strange illustrations (to me at least) by Salvadore Dali, wondering if the translation is the same as the 1966 version?
 
The 1970 Dali illustrated version is even bigger than the hardcover. It is very large print, but is only the reader’s edition, so it has minimal notes. While I likea lot of Dali’s art, the ones from that edition didn’t do anything for me.
 
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