Poll: Bible Paper

[lak611]

As an aside, does anyone know if the lectionary or sacramentary (or some big book used at mass) are printed on the thicker kind of paper that you are talking about? Maybe if they are, you could obtain a nicer bible from the company that prints those.

The lectionary is printed on thicker paper. I have noticed though, that there is a glare. I sometimes had a hard time reading the lectionary when the lights were shining on the page. This was back when I was a lector when I was in high school, so it was not a problem with my vision.

I think the main reason why Bibles are printed on thin paper is to make them portable. Most people would not want to lug around a huge book. Also, most people would prefer having something lightweight on their lap, not a huge book that will cramp their legs. I could not envision reading something as large as a lectionary anywhere but on a pulpit or lectern. I definitely would not be reading it on my lap or in bed.

 

[Pug]

I think the main reason why Bibles are printed on thin paper is to make them portable. Most people would not want to lug around a huge book. Also, most people would prefer having something lightweight on their lap, not a huge book that will cramp their legs. I could not envision reading something as large as a lectionary anywhere but on a pulpit or lectern. I definitely would not be reading it on my lap or in bed.

Oh, that is so true about size. I used to have one of those old concordances. They were huge! As soon as I had a computer as an option, I stopped using it. Most larger books are only going to last and keep a solid binding if used on a desk or other hard surface.

Even regular bibles don’t seem to last in my house. The bindings give out. That is why I asked for that Cambridge for Christmas one year. I think the problem is the stress that the bindings undergo when they are unevenly supported in your lap. Though, I do have an NAB from '90 that is still alive. It was the $8.00 cheap one, without a hardcover, (but still with bible paper, of course ). I think that is why it has survived. Hardcovers over a certain size don’t seem to like being used in a lap. I agree about the leg cramping thing, too.

 

[lak611]

Oh, that is so true about size. I used to have one of those old concordances. They were huge! As soon as I had a computer as an option, I stopped using it. Most larger books are only going to last and keep a solid binding if used on a desk or other hard surface.

I still have the huge Strong’s Concordance, but I never use the book any more. I downloaded it using e-Sword and use it in the electronic form.

Even regular bibles don’t seem to last in my house. The bindings give out. That is why I asked for that Cambridge for Christmas one year. I think the problem is the stress that the bindings undergo when they are unevenly supported in your lap. Though, I do have an NAB from '90 that is still alive. It was the $8.00 cheap one, without a hardcover, (but still with bible paper, of course ). I think that is why it has survived. Hardcovers over a certain size don’t seem to like being used in a lap. I agree about the leg cramping thing, too.

A smaller Bible will last longer if used on one’s lap. There is less stress on the binding due to it lying on the lap unevenly. My Cambridge Bibles are 7 1/2" X 5 1/4" X 2".

 

[Publisher]

I use the RSV by Oxford. “Oxford Study Bible w/Apocrypha”, it’s a nice leather bound edition, I’ve had it for about 25 years. It was published as the “Common Bible” in the '70’s.

I use it for morning devotion and prayer. I have various other Bibles that just have not held up nearly as well. Probably because I treat this Bible very gently, and to the other poster who mentioned laying it flat in one’s lap when reading cuts down on the wear and tear, they’re right. I keep it covered with a linen cloth when not in use and do not write in it…I write in the others, and they are rag-tag editions, with lots of notes.

I have a Douay Rhemes edition along with the matching volume of “Lives of the Saints” a dear woman left me years ago when she died, she was Catholic. I read through them time to time…language is a bit archaic however.

 

[Zooey]

as long as it is linen paper, acid free, so it will last a long time without discoloring, I am fine with it. I hate cheap new modern bibles on pulp pages that discolor and tear out of the bindings within a couple of years.

:yup: :yup:
I am old enough to remember “India” paper…I don’t know how it was made, but it was even thinner than regular Bible paper, but it was so strong!! And it never discolored, and it was the toughest paper!
They would charge quite a bit extra for it, and it was worth every penny.
I have heard a lot of people complain about the “bleeding” of markers, you can buy special Bible markers. As Laura mentioned, they are pencil/dry mark markers, & they do not bleed through at all.
Those regular markers will strike through most any paper, really…Certainly not good for use in any Bible.

 

[lak611]

:yup: :yup:
I am old enough to remember “India” paper…I don’t know how it was made, but it was even thinner than regular Bible paper, but it was so strong!! And it never discolored, and it was the toughest paper!
They would charge quite a bit extra for it, and it was worth every penny.
I have heard a lot of people complain about the “bleeding” of markers, you can buy special Bible markers. As Laura mentioned, they are pencil/dry mark markers, & they do not bleed through at all.
Those regular markers will strike through most any paper, really…Certainly not good for use in any Bible.

I get the Bible markers from a Christian book store. They are actually labelled as Bible markers on the package.