Which company publishes the best Douay-Rheims Bible?

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MelanieSantiago

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Hello. I’m planning on buying a Douay-Rheims Bible for the first time and I’ve noticed that there are quite a few publishers out there that make some very nice looking D-R Bibles. I want a Bible with good, durable binding, either hardcover or leather of some kind and was wondering if anyone here could recommend any specific publisher. The ones I know about that sell D-R Bibles are St. Benedict Press, Baronius Press, Loretto Publishers, and Angelus Press. Not sure if there are any others out there. What are the pros and cons of all their Bibles and what can you tell me about your experiences with your own D-R Bible?
 
I’ve not handled any, but I consistently hear nothing but great things about Baronius anything.
 
This is true. They’re the only ones with a compact D-R, as far as I know. They’re also like the only publisher nowadays that has released the Knox Bible. And their Vulgate/Douay-Rheims side-to-side Bible looks very nice.
 
I would also recommend the Baronius Press Bible. Though I am having trouble with my order right now. I think I just had a freak accident with mine, and in that regard Baronius has had excellent service. I discovered a section of ripped pages in my otherwise pristine Bible, filed a complaint, and Baronius responded the same day, with the same customer service rep I’d spoken to before. Great customer service, with a beautiful product. Highly recommend.

Issues aside, the Bible is gorgeous. Though I doubt you’ll find a pocket-sized version; I couldn’t, and bought standard size. It’s a bit of a brick, but it’s still awesome. 😃
 
What are the measurements for the Baronius Press D-R? Specifically the thickness of it. I’m not a fan of “brick” style Bibles. In fact, what are the measurements of all the other D-Rs that other publishers put out? A lot of them don’t seem to include the thickness of the book itself.

And yeah, I heard BP has been out of stock with the compacts ones for a while. Does the standard sized hardcover feel durable?

I’d love to compare all these Bible and make a review.
 
Well, the DR is the DR, with a few exceptions. It is translated from the Latin Vulgate. So I must assume you are asking about which company has the nicest presentation and/or quality binding, cover and clearest printing. I own both the Tan Books version and the Baronius Press version. For the dollar difference I think the Tan Books is the better buy.

I was disappointed by Baronius Press. Their gilt started falling as I opened the package. Its a very nice Bible and I like the soft leather cover. Printing is very clear, but so is the Tan Books Bible.

Anyway I use both Bibles.
 
MelanieSantiago said:
What are the measurements for the Baronius Press D-R? Specifically the thickness of it. I’m not a fan of “brick” style Bibles. In fact, what are the measurements of all the other D-Rs that other publishers put out? A lot of them don’t seem to include the thickness of the book itself.

And yeah, I heard BP has been out of stock with the compacts ones for a while. Does the standard sized hardcover feel durable?

I’d love to compare all these Bible and make a review.
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I’d say the Baronius is about 2" or so in depth. I just measured it with a tape. I don’t know about hardcover, but my flex cover version feels quite durable. It’s certainly not floppy; the cover is well-suited to the weight of the Bible. It’s definitely solid and durable, but less so than what I would call hard cover.
 
MelanieSantiago said:
Hello. I’m planning on buying a Douay-Rheims Bible for the first time and I’ve noticed that there are quite a few publishers out there that make some very nice looking D-R Bibles. I want a Bible with good, durable binding, either hardcover or leather of some kind and was wondering if anyone here could recommend any specific publisher. The ones I know about that sell D-R Bibles are St. Benedict Press, Baronius Press, Loretto Publishers, and Angelus Press. Not sure if there are any others out there. What are the pros and cons of all their Bibles and what can you tell me about your experiences with your own D-R Bible?
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I have the St. Benedict and Loreto Press versions.

The Loreto Press version has clear, readable type, a hardcover binding, and a lot of useful supplementary material. However, some of the pages look as if they’ve been photocopied or otherwise restored from an original.

The St. Benedict version is leather-bound, includes some Catholic artwork, and opens and closes neatly. The print is clear, and has obviously been done “from scratch” and not as a copy of another source.

If you like leather-bound Bibles (as I do), then the latter sounds like a better proposition. 😉
 
corsair said:
I was disappointed by Baronius Press. Their gilt started falling as I opened the package. Its a very nice Bible and I like the soft leather cover. Printing is very clear, but so is the Tan Books Bible.

Anyway I use both Bibles.
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Corsair, I understand. I may be wrong, and I’ve admitted that to BP outright, but I believe the page rips in St. Luke were present at purchase. Disappointed in ribbon quality as well. (The lone ribbon in my $20 award Bible I received from my church is nicer.) Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful Bible, but I suppose I expected a little more at $64. Still, if the page rips would disappear, I’d be happy as a clam.

Love the included encyclicals and engravings, as well as the inclusion of a second ribbon despite its lack in quality. Great for keeping your place in both an encyclical and scripture. Page thickness is also rather nice; first Bible I’ve owned that didn’t feel like tissue paper.
 
So from everything I’ve heard, apparently St. Benedict Press has some of the most durable binding and the nicest typeset. I keep hearing complaints about how Baronius’ gold lettering and gild flakes off easily. And Loreto apparently just copied another typesetting. Seems to me as though St. Benedict puts a lot of efforts into their Bibles. It’s the only publisher I think that doesn’t have typesetting and (black & white…) artwork that looks like something from the 19th century.

What are the measurements of the St. Benedict Bibles? It doesn’t say on the site. I heard they were very small and thin, which is always awesome. And can someone please tell me what the material of the St. Benedict “Ultrasoft” Bibles is? It looks really nice and smooth yet it costs less than the leatherbound.

Anyone have an Angelus Press Bible?
 
That’s the “Ultrasoft” binding… I’m sorry but thats the nicest and most modern style binding I’ve ever seen on a D-R Bible. IDK what it is but it’s nice.
 
Two months ago I purchased my first Douay-Rheims bible (Benediction Classics, Oxford). I am very happy with it. It is hardback, about two inches thick, heavy like a brick, The pages are well embedded into the binder, warning though the print is small (you will need reading glasses). $47.99 at Barnes and Noble. I plan on investing in another Douay Rheims with larger print. The larger print versions cost more ($67).

search.barnesandnoble.com/Douay-Rheims-Bible/Douay-Rheims/e/9781849022668
 
The words of Christ in red thing is awesome. Do any of these D-Rs come with section headings though? Makes it so much easier to find things.
 
MelanieSantiago said:
Hello. I’m planning on buying a Douay-Rheims Bible for the first time and I’ve noticed that there are quite a few publishers out there that make some very nice looking D-R Bibles. I want a Bible with good, durable binding, either hardcover or leather of some kind and was wondering if anyone here could recommend any specific publisher. The ones I know about that sell D-R Bibles are St. Benedict Press, Baronius Press, Loretto Publishers, and Angelus Press. Not sure if there are any others out there. What are the pros and cons of all their Bibles and what can you tell me about your experiences with your own D-R Bible?
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Personally IMHO with regards to Douay Rheims Catholic Bibles any Douay Rheims is practically as good as the other. The older the better in my estimate.

I own three Douay Rheims Catholic Bibles.

1854AD D. & J. Sadlier & Company Douay Rheims Bible Challoner Edition

1899AD Douay Rheims Challoner Edition reprint from Tan Books

1954AD Douay Rheims Catholic Publishing Co. Family Bible Edition

The Catholic Benziger Brothers & Co. published a nice Douay Rheims Catholic Bible near the end of the 19th century, early 20th century amongst other excellent Catholic books
 
The SBP D-R sounds pretty good; I’ve been thinking about getting one. Even if I can get my Baronius replaced, it’s really not practical for carrying around, and after everything that’s happened I would be to worried to take it anywhere.

I love the words of Christ in red feature, as well as section headings, but does it have the same commentary in it the Baronius does? I believe it might; the page shown in the pictures matches my Baronius, but I have heard that it is lacking in footnotes. Is this true, or does it have all the commentary and footnotes of the Baronius edition?
 
classica87 said:
The SBP D-R sounds pretty good; I’ve been thinking about getting one. Even if I can get my Baronius replaced, it’s really not practical for carrying around, and after everything that’s happened I would be to worried to take it anywhere.

I love the words of Christ in red feature, as well as section headings, but does it have the same commentary in it the Baronius does? I believe it might; the page shown in the pictures matches my Baronius, but I have heard that it is lacking in footnotes. Is this true, or does it have all the commentary and footnotes of the Baronius edition?
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Well I’m pretty sure all Douay-Rheims Bibles have the same commentary. MAYBE, there is a D-R out there without the D-R footnotes, but as far as I know, the footnotes of a certain translation are always the same. The D-R footnotes were written by the translators 400 years ago and are famous for being very polemical. They give very simple and precise Catholic interpretations of the Scriptures that counter those of the Protestant Reformation. The online Douay-Rheims includes these footnotes.

I keep hearing about how SBP’s Bibles are very small and simple while BP Bibles are big and bulky (the pictures never show any kind of size reference). I hate Bibles like that, that feel as though they’re antique codexes or something. I want one I can easiliy carry around with me to classes or meetings or whatever.

From what I’ve observed, apparently SBP makes the best D-R Bibles. Their typeset is original and readible, their binding is beautiful yet durable, and the Bible itself is not a brick. Plus it’s the only publisher that prints the words of Christ in red (a clear sign that their text isn’t photocopied from another but an original typesetting) and they’re the only ones who publish a paperback edition (a bit expensive though…).
 
Thanks Melanie! And yes, I agree. I love my BP Bible and its pretty, but it does feel sort of old and “fancy”; I certainly don’t feel comfortable toting it around in a backpack. Really considering the SBP D-R as a replacement for my Protestant Bible now.
 
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