Cambridge ESV Clarion
A closer look at this fantastic single column reference Bible from Cambridge.
When I released my first Bible review video a few weeks ago about Crossway’s new Heirloom Single Column Personal Size Bible, people quickly started urging me to check out the ESV Clarion Reference Bible from Cambridge. As a newbie on this quest to find the perfect small Bible, I was wholly unaware of the Clarion, but my familiarity with Cambridge made me assume that it would essentially be a slightly larger version of the Pitt Minion.
Boy, was I wrong about that.
While the Clarion has several things in common with the Pitt Minion, it is quite a different beast altogether. As soon as I got my hands on it, I knew it was something special.
Clarion Reference Edition – Overview
The first thing you notice about the Clarion is its unique shape. It has a 5.125” x 7.125” trim size and is 1.65” thick… a short and stout shape that makes it look deceptively larger in photos than it really is. The Bible opens wide and flat, and the 8.75pt type size leaps off the page thanks to a 10.5 leading (the space between each line of text) and 28 GSM paper with a rich, creamy hue. The cross-references are placed in the outer margin of each page in proximity to their corresponding verses, and footnotes are at the bottom of each page. The Clarion is a reference edition with a full concordance and a lovely set of fifteen Cambridge Maps.
FEATURES
• Single-column format
• Edge-lined goatskin
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Art gilding
• Two ribbon markers
• 28 GSM India paper
• Line Matching
• Cross-references
• 15 Cambridge Maps
• 5.125” x 7.125” trim size
• 1.65” thick
• 8.75pt type size
Something Old, Something New
Cambridge has been printing the Bible for over 400 years, so words like “classic” and “traditional” come to mind when I think about their Bibles. The Clarion, however, feels extremely modern, thanks to its unique overall shape and an excellent single column page layout. I’m a fan of single column Bibles, and I can see now why so many people recommended I check this one out. The interior design of the Clarion is thoughtful and makes reading enjoyable.
The subtle aesthetic touches are easy hard to overlook when you’re so distracted by what’s inside, but I love the black goatskin cover on this Clarion. It has a wide grain pattern that looks and feels completely different than the Pitt Minion. Nothing about the exterior of this Bible screams for attention, but everything about it is high quality and well constructed (the only thing I’m not crazy about is the shiny synthetic liner).
The Clarion looks massive next to the Pitt Minion, but it’s actually a very compact Bible.
Single Column Frontrunner
There are a bunch of great single column Bibles out there, but that list begins to narrow down when you start looking for one made with great materials, excellent craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. If you – like me – are looking for a premium small Bible with a single column format, the Clarion Reference Edition from Cambridge needs to be at the top of your list.
About Tim Wildsmith: “I’m a pastor, writer, and musician from Nashville, where I live with my wife, Becca. I have always loved a Bible that is beautifully designed, well-crafted, and practical, and I’m convinced that finding a Bible you love and enjoy reading will make you want to spend more time with it.” Click here to read the full bio.
