Thomas Nelson’s Large Print Thinline Bible in black genuine leather is a version of their recent KJV Vintage Series of Bibles. That series was an upgraded version of the Large Print Thinline and was available in Leathersoft with several color options. This edition continues those upgrades with a few unique features of its own. This is ISBN 9780785253488, printed in China.
Thomas Nelson provided this Bible 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 at (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
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Table of Contents
Video Review
Binding
The cover is black genuine leather. I’m not sure what the leather is, but it feels soft and durable and has a pebbly grain. It includes perimeter stitching. On the front is Holy Bible stamped in gold in an old font that looks like it belongs on the KJV. The spine is rounded and includes 5 raised hubs and they’re outlined in gold. The text is stamped in gold and it includes the old font.
The liner is paste-down vinyl. It includes one thick end sheet for the presentation page. The block is sewn and has no trouble staying open to any page.
It includes 3 3/8″ double-sided satin ribbons. They’re the right length to use and feel balanced with the size of this Bible. The overall size is 6 3/4 x 9 5/8 x 1″, and it weighs 1 lb, 13.4 oz. This size and weight are excellent for all-around use.
Paper
The paper is 30gsm. It’s white and decently opaque. It has no glare under direct light. The texture is slightly rough, making it easy enough to grab and turn. I like the look and feel of this paper.
Rather than gold, the edges of the pages are a bold red stain. It reminds me of the vintage gift editions from the 1970s. I like this esthetic since it’s not something that’s been done in genuine leather editions in a few decades.
Typography and Layout
The text is set in a double-column verse-by-verse layout. The two columns are separated by a line. The text includes section headings in a large sans-serif font in all caps. The header includes the book name and chapter and verse number in the outer margin and the page number in the center. The verses are indented, but the verse numbers are not. Italics are used for supplied words.
The typeface is 11.5 red-letter. I’d personally call it a 10-point. This is the KJV Comfort Print typeface designed by 2K/Denmark for Thomas Nelson. The black and red letters are dark and consistent. It has between 7-9 words per line and it was printed with line matching. The text on both sides line up perfectly through most of the Bible. There are a few pages where they’re not lined up exactly. Those pages are still readable, but it does stand out a little.
There are a lot of section headings. These take the place of pilcrows and help with the paragraphing. Other than section headings, this text is clear of distractions. This makes it ideal for preaching and teaching, or any type of public reading. The text is a joy to read and preach from.
Extras
One Year Reading Plan – In the back is a one-year reading plan that includes a morning and evening reading. It shows the month with the day, and morning and evening readings for each. The morning reading is from the New Testament while the evening reading is from the Old Testament. This is a good reading plan, but it includes a reading schedule for February 29th. This means for three years you’ll have to read extra on the 28th and/or March 1st.
30 Days with Jesus – This is a table with 30 daily readings from key teachings of Jesus. It shows the day on one side and the references on the other. Most are complete chapters.
Bible Atlas
The Large Print Thinline Bible has the standard 7 Zondervan maps on 8 thick semi-glossy pages. They’re printed in full-color earth tones that look great. They include topography, distance, routes, borders, possible locations of lost places, battles, elevation, cities, and locations for the events of Jesus’ ministry. It doesn’t include an index. The maps are annotated well, making them easy enough to use.
Maps include:
- World of the Patriarchs
- Exodus and Conquest of Canaan
- Land of the Twelve Tribes
- Kingdom of David and Solomon
- Jesus’ Ministry
- Paul’s Missionary Journeys
- Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus
Comparisons
Here’s how the KJV Large Print Thinline Bible compares with several other text-only editions.
Thomas Nelson Vintage Large Print KJV
The Thomas Nelson Vintage Large Print KJV is the same Bible with imitation leather covers in several cover options. They’re a great choice if you want something less expensive. The genuine leather edition is the better Bible and will last longer. The main difference visually is they have gilded edges instead of a red stain. The font in the genuine leather is slightly darker.
TBS Large Print Family Windsor
The TBS Large Print Family Windsor has about the same footprint, but it’s around 1/4″ thicker. Its paper is 32gsm and has a slightly creamier color and it’s more opaque. The font is slightly larger. This is a black-letter edition with no section headings or other distractions in the text. In the back are a pronunciation guide, word list, reading plan, and maps. The Thomas Nelson font is slightly darker and it includes a red-letter text with section headings.
Conclusion
Thomas Nelson’s black genuine leather Large Print Thinline Bible is a well-designed KJV. The font is dark and consistent. Section headings are the only distractions in the text, making this is an excellent Bible for reading, carrying, and preaching. Anyone looking for a large print thinline KJV should place this one on their shortlist.
_________________________________________________________
This Bible is available at (includes some affiliate links)
and many local Bible bookstores
_________________________________________________________
Thomas Nelson provided this Bible in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, only an honest one. All opinions are my own.
“The Epistle to the Hebrews” is incorrect. It’s incorrect in all of their KJV’s and NKJV’s. The correct Textus Receptus book title is “The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Hebrews.” What right does Thomas Nelson have to change the Textus Receptus/Received Text?
Are there any NKJV versions that share this layout? Two columns, verse by verse with justified text and no references?
Hi Steve. The only NKJV’s in verse-by-verse that I’ve seen have references. They do have a text edition with footnotes in the footer, but it’s paragraph.
The Cambridge topaz is maybe as close as you’ll get but it’s also expensive. It still has cross references in the outer margin, but it’s verse-by-verse and justified in all sections, even poetry.