The TBS Windsor Text Bible is a text-only hand-size KJV from Trinitarian Bible Society that is very inexpensive but still provides a high level of quality. The edition I’m reviewing is calfskin with a sewn binding and a sharp text for only $35. It’s a nice hand-size Bible that is great for carry and reading.
Pros
- Clean text
- Calfskin leather
- Sewn binding
- Creamy paper
- Definitions for archaic words
- Outstanding price
Cons
- I’m having trouble coming up with a con for this Bible
Features
- King James Version
- Black Calfskin Leather
- Sewn binding
- Black letter
- 8-point font
- Bible paper
- Head and tail bands
- Presentation page
- Epistle Dedicatory
- Translators to the Reader
- Pronunciation list
- Word list
- Reading plan
- 2 ribbons
- Gilt edges
- 7.5 x 5.25 x 1
- Printed and bound by Jongbloed
- Product code: 25U/BK
- ISBN: 9781862283367
- $35
Where to Buy
Calfskin edition: TBS Windsor Text Bible
All editions: TBS Windsor Text Bible
Cover and Binding
The cover is black calfskin leather. It has a very pronounced grain that I love. I love the feel of the texture.
The liner is vinyl. The cover is stiff. I actually like it better because it lies flat in your hand. This Bible can easily be held open with just one hand for reading.
The binding is sewn so it will lie flat. Since the cover is stiff it might have to break in a little before it will lie flat in Genesis or Revelation. Mine is breaking in just fine and will stay open in Genesis 1, just not completely flat- yet.
Paper and Print
The paper is ‘Bible paper’. It’s a decent thickness and has a slight cream tone making it easier to read. Paper with a slight cream tone is my favorite for Bibles. There is some show-through but it’s not bad at all.
To my eye the font looks to be around 8-point with a generous leading. The website says 9.6 text, so I’m guessing it’s 8/9.6. The font is sharp and crisp. It is very readable. It’s about a medium darkness which for me is just right for reading. It’s consistent throughout with no fading. The text includes italics for supplied words.
Layout
The text is in 2-column verse format. The verse numbers are slightly smaller than the text and have the same darkness as the text. Chapter numbers are large and bold, taking up 2 lines of text. Page numbers appear at the bottom of the page. The top of the page shows the book and chapters that appear on that page on the outer margin and a summary of that page’s contents on the inner margin.
Books start on the same page the previous book ends. That’s common for Bible publishing, but I really like it when a book starts on a new page. This would give you some room for your own notes.
There is plenty of room between the lines of text for underlining.
List of Words and Proper Names
Rather than having a self-pronouncing text there is a list of words and names with a pronunciation guide. This improves readability by not including all the pronunciation marks in the text. The list is 26 pages.
Bible Word List
The Bible Word List has 19 pages of words from the KJV that are unfamiliar to modern readers. It gives the word, a brief definition, and one or more verses where the word is used. The words describe objects, animals, plants, weights, measures, money, unusual words, and words that have changed meaning. The word list is one of my favorite features of this Bible. I would like to see this become a standard in KJV publishing.
Daily Reading Plan
The reading plan will take you through the entire Bible in two years, and Psalms and the New Testament twice. Every day there is a reading from the Old Testament and a reading from either Psalms or the New Testament. The readings from the Old Testament are in Biblical order. The readings from the New Testament insert Psalms between John and Acts. The second year starts with Acts and places Psalms after Mark. The order seems a little odd but I’m sure they have a reason for it. I’m more used to reading in Biblical order all the way through, but this reading plan will work just fine.
Ribbons
There are 2 black ribbons. They are 2.5 inches longer than the Bible, which is more than long enough to be useful. They are .25 inches wide, which is thin but fits the size of the Bible well. It’s nice to see two ribbons in a Bible this inexpensive- something that should be standard in Bible publishing.
Front Matter
The Epistle Dedicatory and Translators to the Reader are two documents that should be included in every KJV printed, but many publishers today often ignore the Translators to the Reader and some do not include the Epistle Dedicatory. The TBS Windsor has both. I’m especially impressed and appreciative of the Translators to the Reader. This edition includes 134 footnotes in the margin. The footnotes include Scripture references, historical references, and Greek references which include Greek fonts.
Comparisons
Here’s a few comparisons to the amazing TBS Westminster Reference Bible:
Conclusion
I can’t believe the features you get in the Windsor for $35 – calfskin leather, sewn binding, Bible paper, beautiful text, printed and bound in the Netherlands by Jongbloed, pronunciation guide, glossary, a reading plan, and two ribbons! All this in a hand-size Bible that is a joy to hold and read. The cream tone to the paper and clean text with the sharp, 8-point font with medium darkness makes this Bible very readable. It is now my favorite reading Bible. I highly recommend the TBS Windsor Text Bible in calfskin for both reading and carry.
Where to Buy
Calfskin edition: TBS Windsor Text Bible
All editions: TBS Windsor Text Bible
TBS provided this Bible free for review. I was not required to give a positive review- only an honest review.