In previous reviews, we’ve looked at the new NIV Comfort Print TCR’s design and size options. In this post, we’ll see the different cover options. Covers include hardcover, Leathersoft, bonded leather, genuine leather, and goatskin.
Previous reviews:
- NIV Comfort Print Thompson Chain Reference Bible Review Part 1
- NIV Comfort Print TCR Size Comparisons – Review Part 2
- NIV Comfort Print Thompson Chain Reference Bible Review Part 3: Premier Collection
- Melinda Bouma Interview with Exclusive TCR News
Zondervan provided these Bibles in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
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This Bible is available from (affiliates)
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Video Review
Cover and Binding
All editions are sewn and stay open to any page with no trouble. All the lower-end editions have 30gsm paper. The Premier Collection has 36gsm premium European paper. The overall sizes and weights will vary slightly based on the cover material. Here are the sizes and weights for my review copies:
- Handy size (available in black bonded leather and burgundy Leathersoft)- 5 3/4 x 8 7/8 x 1 5/8″, it weighs 2 lbs, 4 oz.
- Regular edition (available in hardcover, black bonded leather, blue or brown Leathersoft, buffalo leather with edge-lined vinyl, and the Premier Collection with edge-lined goatskin) – 6 7/8 x 9 5/8 x 1 5/8″, it weighs 3 lbs.
- Premier Collection (edge-lined goatskin) – 7 x 9 3/4 x 1 3/4″, it weighs 3 lbs, 11 oz.
- Large print (available in bonded leather, blue Leathersoft, and genuine leather cowhide with edge-lined vinyl) – 7 1/2 x 10 5/8 x 1 5/8, it weighs 3 lbs, 8 oz.
Hardcover
The hardcover is blue. It includes a blue dust jacket with the specs on the back. It looks to be reinforced and has no trouble staying open on page one. The liner is paper and it has a separate presentation page. It has two ribbons, one black, and one gold.
Leathersoft
My Leathersoft editions are blue. The large print blue is darker than the regular size edition. It looks like real leather. The front has no printing. It includes perimeter stitching. The spine has an interesting gold blood design with horizontal printing. the liner is blue paste-down vinyl. It has a separate presentation page in thick paper. It has two 3/8″, double-sided, satin ribbons; blue for the OT and gold for the NT.
Bonded Leather
The bonded leather is black and has a texture that looks like genuine leather. It’s a touch stiff, but it’s highly usable. It stays open in the middle of Genesis with no trouble. This one has a paste-down vinyl liner, perimeter stitching, and silver printing on the spine. It includes one silver and one black ribbon.
Genuine Leather – Buffalo
The genuine leather for the regular edition is brown buffalo. This is a slightly darker brown than the large print edition. It has a deeper grain. The spine decorations match the other editions and it includes 4 raised hubs. It has perimeter stitching, a heavy-duty vinyl edge-lined liner, gilt line around the liner, and two ribbons (one brown and one gold). This is one of my favorites of the group.
Genuine Leather – Cowhide
The genuine leather for the large print edition is brown cowhide. It’s lighter in color than the regular edition. The grain is pronounced enough to feel it with your fingers. The front has no printing. It includes perimeter stitching. The spine has 4 thick raised hubs with gold printed designs and text between them. It’s edge-lined with heavy-duty vinyl. The liner includes a gold gilt line around the inside perimeter. It has two ribbons- brown for the Old Testament and gold for the New Testament.
Goatskin
The goatskin is a thick leather that looks and feels elegant. It has a matte finish and an almost pebbly grain that you can feel. The yapp is 1/2″. It includes perimeter stitching. Nothing is printed on the front. The spine has 5 raised hubs. Text is printed in silver. The edge-lined liner is also leather. It includes a gilt line around the inside perimeter. The tab isn’t as stiff as other editions I’ve seen in the Premier Collection. It stays open flat in Genesis 1 with no trouble. This edition has three ribbons, each is a different shade of blue. This edition has overcast stitching.
Conclusion
Zondervan’s Comfort Print line of TCR’s are available in lots of cover options and all price ranges. Covers include hardcover, Leathersoft, bonded leather, genuine leather in both buffalo and cowhide, and goatskin. Leathersoft and bonded leather are available in all three sizes. All but the goatskin have vinyl liners and the genuine leather is edge-lined. I’d like to see genuine leather available in the handy size. With this range of cover options, there’s a TCR for any budget and need.
_________________________________________________________
This Bible is available from (affiliates)
_________________________________________________________
Zondervan provided these Bibles in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.