This is my absolute favorite Bible so far of 2022… what a wonderful time to be a Premium Bible lover as a Catholic/Orthodox Christian we are finally getting premium options with our complete cannon.
I bought this recently from Evangelical Bible for around $225 in black. So smooth, so flexible. Won't replace my favorite Schuyler RSV CE but so very delighted as a Roman Catholic to find top quality Catholic Bible.
I bought the black calfskin, leather-lined. I love it, it’s my carry-around bible! However, for the price, it was lined with actual leather and had a gold gilt line on the inside. You can get more “premium” aspects from a Schuyler than the Diadem, and the Schuyler is cheaper at this point. Hopefully Cambridge takes note of these details for the future. :)
Just wondering on you post. Is the black calfskin version leather lined? I was under the impression they were all synthetic which kind of disturbed me considering the cost of this Bible! Looks fantastic otherwise!
@@timwildsmith I kind of figured that too. I was just confused, happens easily, lol, at Ronalds post. Kind of made it sound like the black might be leather lined. (Maybe I was hoping......)
I love your enthusiasm Tim. It is infectious. I am waiting for the NRSVue Diadem to come out next year sometime (2024). I hope they pick a unique and cool color for it with interesting gilding for a non-split leather one of calfskin. Thanks.
That is the ultimate apocrypha inclusion Bible. After 3 days of watching reviews of bibles and looking at pdf’s etc this is the one that finally completed my quest in finding the next addition to the library. I had a number of metrics from different translation factors, text type, as well as the pros and cons of construction type and color schemes weighed in. The only other Bible that registered a flawless score with me is no longer made, the 36gsm cream paper black letter edition Schuyler Canterbury. This Cambridge IS in production so the decision was clear.
This Bible looks lovely. I’m not a great fan of printing on the front, but, I may make an exception here! Great job Tim. Looking forward to the comparison!
Love my Calfskin Diadem. Already read 75% through the Bible in it and it has broken in well. The calfskin is so smooth, and it is probably the floppiest Bible I've ever used. That Red looks great.Diadem is that perfect mid-size of the pitt and widemargin. The paper has taken my notes and underlines really well. Their synthetic liner has never bothered me, but this is one of the most expensive Bibles out there, so I do kind of expect that it should have a better liner and ribbons. That said, these are the best ribbons I've had on a Cambridge that wasn't an EvangelicalBible exclusive (Marbeled Mahogany Concord and Blue Topaz), but they're still not amazing. At least they're double satin this time!
Love how the ESV Diadem looks. I was so eager to get one of them with Apocrypha when they announced the leather cover editions. Unfortunately, as I suspected, probably as a result of the controversy last year between rebinders and Cambridge, prizes skyrocketed for those leather editions. Apparently Cambridge saw what rebinders could get and naturally they wanted to profit more from their beautiful editions. Love how they look, but I cannot see how they could cost more than the RSV Quentel (goatskin with Apocrypha), which I already have. Anyway, hope they will go on sale soon so I can get one. Nice video!
I agree here. I own the Quentel with Apocrypha in Goat and it is an absolutely wonderful Bible that was less than this one. I REALLY want a high quality ESV in either a Catholic edition, or like this one with Apocrypha, but the pricing is insane on this.
I think I saw these prices listed prior to the kerfuffle you speak of... and they fall in line with the Topaz prices... so I'm not sure how much of an impact that made.
Hey Tim, has anyone mentioned or complained about inconsistent printing on the Cambridge esv apocrypha? I finally ponied up the $$ and I'm very disappointed. Some pages,especially in chronicles are noticeably darker.
I’ve been looking forward to this review. I’m a priest serving in the Anglican tradition and I’ve been awaiting this version for a while. Thank you for the review👍
@Pax Domini Yes. I use the ESV with apocrypha hardcover, published by Oxford as my daily Bible. I like it, just wish the apocrypha wasn’t in the back. But the text is nice and clear with line matching.
Cambridge does wonderful calfskin bindings so I'm not surprised that the Diadem has such a nice calfskin binding. I have a Cameo w/Apocrypha in black calfskin and a Clarion NASB in brown calfskin and both bindings are smooth and very high quality. Does anybody know if the red calfskin in this new Diadem is the same red Cambridge uses for the calfskin Topaz?
To my knowledge, the hardcover has a 36 GSM paper as opposed to the 28 GSM paper for the leather editions. Because of that, I think a rebind of a hardcover is more beneficial for study (plus the black letter)!
@@timwildsmith I ended up going with the Thomas Nelson NKJV study Bible in brown calfskin. We'll see how I like her - seemed to be one of the most premium "study Bibles". Eventually I'll get a premium goatskin.
How bright is this cardinal red? I like the idea of it because I don’t have any red editions but am worried that it will be too bright…there is a lot of variety in the images online
Hi Tim , I am hoping you and the chat can help. I like to read the ESV. I have a 1st edition Allan Reader which I love, but want a more personal size like the size of the Clarion or KJV Cameo. I want Goatskin leather edge lined with center column references and no bleed through. Can you recommend something for me? Thanks in advance.
This Diadem is the closest you'll find to that at the moment... just calfskin instead of goatskin. Also the Allan ESV1, which is currently out of print.
The red letters kill it for me in this Bible. If there was a brown goatskin/calf split leather in black letter I would be in. (I have 4 Pitt minions) I would love one of these also. I can wait.
Please make sure you put the word “APOCRYPHA” in the title of this video and any other video you do that has a bible with the apocrypha in it because Christians like me are looking for nice looking bibles that include the apocrypha in them. You want your bible with apocrypha videos to reach more people, so put the word “APOCRYPHA” in the title of your videos when you have a bible like this.
Beautiful colour. Looks lovely. But what about those ribbons, Tim!?! 😱😳🫢😬😲 They do NOT pass muster. They scream for a Nickels ribbon replacement! Overall, probably too highly priced for what you get. I think Nelson/Zondervan are really pulling ahead in the high-end space. But they do need to bring out more colours. Thanks for showing us. 😊
This is my absolute favorite Bible so far of 2022… what a wonderful time to be a Premium Bible lover as a Catholic/Orthodox Christian we are finally getting premium options with our complete cannon.
For sure!
I bought this recently from Evangelical Bible for around $225 in black. So smooth, so flexible. Won't replace my favorite Schuyler RSV CE but so very delighted as a Roman Catholic to find top quality Catholic Bible.
I bought the black calfskin, leather-lined. I love it, it’s my carry-around bible! However, for the price, it was lined with actual leather and had a gold gilt line on the inside. You can get more “premium” aspects from a Schuyler than the Diadem, and the Schuyler is cheaper at this point. Hopefully Cambridge takes note of these details for the future. :)
Thanks for sharing, Ronald!
Just wondering on you post. Is the black calfskin version leather lined? I was under the impression they were all synthetic which kind of disturbed me considering the cost of this Bible! Looks fantastic otherwise!
@@rotlex67 I would assume that they are identical except for the color of the leather.
@Pax Domini Money is NEVER wasted on a Bible, my friend.
@@timwildsmith I kind of figured that too. I was just confused, happens easily, lol, at Ronalds post. Kind of made it sound like the black might be leather lined. (Maybe I was hoping......)
I'm getting ready to purchase a second Diadem in black. I truly love this Bible.
I love your enthusiasm Tim. It is infectious. I am waiting for the NRSVue Diadem to come out next year sometime (2024). I hope they pick a unique and cool color for it with interesting gilding for a non-split leather one of calfskin. Thanks.
You and me both!
That is the ultimate apocrypha inclusion Bible. After 3 days of watching reviews of bibles and looking at pdf’s etc this is the one that finally completed my quest in finding the next addition to the library. I had a number of metrics from different translation factors, text type, as well as the pros and cons of construction type and color schemes weighed in. The only other Bible that registered a flawless score with me is no longer made, the 36gsm cream paper black letter edition Schuyler Canterbury. This Cambridge IS in production so the decision was clear.
Nice!
oh... does the new 28 gsm paper not have the same creaminess? and did schuyler ever create and ESV _with apocrypha_? thks :)
This is October 20 24 and I bought a Schuyler ESV with apocrypha about eight months ago, a Quentel. Typical Schuyler quality.
This Bible looks lovely. I’m not a great fan of printing on the front, but, I may make an exception here! Great job Tim. Looking forward to the comparison!
Thanks so much!
Thanks for the review Tim. Love those red Bibles.
My pleasure!!
Love my Calfskin Diadem. Already read 75% through the Bible in it and it has broken in well. The calfskin is so smooth, and it is probably the floppiest Bible I've ever used. That Red looks great.Diadem is that perfect mid-size of the pitt and widemargin. The paper has taken my notes and underlines really well. Their synthetic liner has never bothered me, but this is one of the most expensive Bibles out there, so I do kind of expect that it should have a better liner and ribbons. That said, these are the best ribbons I've had on a Cambridge that wasn't an EvangelicalBible exclusive (Marbeled Mahogany Concord and Blue Topaz), but they're still not amazing. At least they're double satin this time!
Thanks for sharing, Andrew... glad to hear you're enjoying it!
Hey Tim. That red is super nice! Great job as always brother.
Hey, thanks Adrian!
Love how the ESV Diadem looks. I was so eager to get one of them with Apocrypha when they announced the leather cover editions. Unfortunately, as I suspected, probably as a result of the controversy last year between rebinders and Cambridge, prizes skyrocketed for those leather editions. Apparently Cambridge saw what rebinders could get and naturally they wanted to profit more from their beautiful editions. Love how they look, but I cannot see how they could cost more than the RSV Quentel (goatskin with Apocrypha), which I already have. Anyway, hope they will go on sale soon so I can get one. Nice video!
I agree here. I own the Quentel with Apocrypha in Goat and it is an absolutely wonderful Bible that was less than this one. I REALLY want a high quality ESV in either a Catholic edition, or like this one with Apocrypha, but the pricing is insane on this.
I think I saw these prices listed prior to the kerfuffle you speak of... and they fall in line with the Topaz prices... so I'm not sure how much of an impact that made.
$247. Synthetic liner and 1/4" ribbons.....can't do it....love everything else about it... Cambridge is ridiculously consistent in their quality
Hopefully it will go on sale!
Cambridge's pricing has gone through the roof over the past year or so.
Hey Tim, has anyone mentioned or complained about inconsistent printing on the Cambridge esv apocrypha? I finally ponied up the $$ and I'm very disappointed. Some pages,especially in chronicles are noticeably darker.
I’ve been looking forward to this review. I’m a priest serving in the Anglican tradition and I’ve been awaiting this version for a while. Thank you for the review👍
@Pax Domini Yes. I use the ESV with apocrypha hardcover, published by Oxford as my daily Bible. I like it, just wish the apocrypha wasn’t in the back. But the text is nice and clear with line matching.
You're welcome!
I've got the hardcover so I'm excited for the side-by-side video!!
Me too!!
You should add the Pitt Minion and Wide Margin to that comparison. ✌️🤓
Good idea!
Cambridge does wonderful calfskin bindings so I'm not surprised that the Diadem has such a nice calfskin binding. I have a Cameo w/Apocrypha in black calfskin and a Clarion NASB in brown calfskin and both bindings are smooth and very high quality. Does anybody know if the red calfskin in this new Diadem is the same red Cambridge uses for the calfskin Topaz?
Yes, the red calfskin is the same in both the Topaz and the Diadem.
@@amandataylor5318 Thank you for responding so quickly, Amanda. And please give my regards to Abigail and all your colleagues at Cambridge.
can you compare this against the Cornerstone from Cambridge
To my knowledge, the hardcover has a 36 GSM paper as opposed to the 28 GSM paper for the leather editions. Because of that, I think a rebind of a hardcover is more beneficial for study (plus the black letter)!
It's actually 33gsm Primabible paper in the leather editions... I'll share more about it in the comparison.
@@timwildsmith Thanks for the clarification!
Did you ever do a Lexicon video? I searched and didn't find one.
Beautiful Bible. Love the color.
Indeed!
How does this compare to the Thomas Nelson premium goatskin NKJV Bible?
I'd say TN is a bit nicer overall.
@@timwildsmith I ended up going with the Thomas Nelson NKJV study Bible in brown calfskin. We'll see how I like her - seemed to be one of the most premium "study Bibles".
Eventually I'll get a premium goatskin.
How bright is this cardinal red? I like the idea of it because I don’t have any red editions but am worried that it will be too bright…there is a lot of variety in the images online
It’s pretty bold.
Beautiful Bible! ❤️
Sure is!
Would you swap your Esv diadem red calfskin for a RL ALLAN NASB red goatskin reference ?
Nope.
Well, THAT was fun! 😁
😉
Great bible👌
It really is!
Hi Tim , I am hoping you and the chat can help. I like to read the ESV. I have a 1st edition Allan Reader which I love, but want a more personal size like the size of the Clarion or KJV Cameo. I want Goatskin leather edge lined with center column references and no bleed through. Can you recommend something for me? Thanks in advance.
This Diadem is the closest you'll find to that at the moment... just calfskin instead of goatskin. Also the Allan ESV1, which is currently out of print.
@@timwildsmith Thanks
Really tough to swallow these prices compared to the hardcovers. The wonderful hardcover Diadem is just too good of a deal!
I’m glad they offer both options!
@@timwildsmith for sure, I actually love a good hardcover and the Diadem is certainly a good one.
@@RoastBeefSandwich is the hard cover printed in Belarus?
@@PaDutchRunner Yes it is.
Do the page numbers and chapters line up with the ESV wide margin from Cambridge?
Yes they do!
Nice Bible
It sure is!
Is it going to be your daily Bible?
I'm using a Cambridge NRSV Wide Margin this year... but I can definitely see the Diadem becoming a new favorite.
@@timwildsmith In my opinion, it would be better without the apocrypha... But very precious Bible. I've watched this video like 3 times in a row 😂
The red letters kill it for me in this Bible. If there was a brown goatskin/calf split leather in black letter I would be in. (I have 4 Pitt minions) I would love one of these also. I can wait.
They make hardcover editions in black letter.
Please make sure you put the word “APOCRYPHA” in the title of this video and any other video you do that has a bible with the apocrypha in it because Christians like me are looking for nice looking bibles that include the apocrypha in them. You want your bible with apocrypha videos to reach more people, so put the word “APOCRYPHA” in the title of your videos when you have a bible like this.
Thanks!
❤️
👍🏼
If anyone decides they want to donate theirs, I know a seminary student who would love one lol
😉
*OOH YEAH . . .*
Yeah!
Nice
Thanks!
Beautiful colour. Looks lovely. But what about those ribbons, Tim!?! 😱😳🫢😬😲 They do NOT pass muster. They scream for a Nickels ribbon replacement! Overall, probably too highly priced for what you get. I think Nelson/Zondervan are really pulling ahead in the high-end space. But they do need to bring out more colours. Thanks for showing us. 😊
Hahaha... Nickels would love that you called it that!