CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin
The latest premium Bible from Holman’s Handcrafted Collection is a big win for CSB fans.
There’s been a lot of chatter online in recent months about Holman’s new releases in the Handcrafted Collection, which features premium Bibles that remind be a lot of the Premier Collection offerings from Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. One of the most anticipated of these new editions is the CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible. I was rather impressed with this Bible when I unboxed it last week, and now that I’ve spent more time with it, I like it even more.
Watch the video below to see a full walkthrough of the CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible, and keep scrolling to read my full review with high-resolution photos.
CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible – Overview
The CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin is a big, bold Bible that features a 6.75” x 9” text block that is 1.75” thick when you include the cover. The “Handcrafted Collection” moniker means that this Bible has premium features like an edge-lined goatskin cover, Smyth-sewn binding, 36 GSM paper, double-sided ribbons, and art gilding. The goatskin cover on my review copy is a bit stiff compared to previous premium Bibles I’ve reviewed from Holman, but that may be a benefit when you consider it’s size, and I’m confident that it will break in well with use.
Inside, you’ll find a solid single-column layout with wide margins (1.125” on the outer margin, and about 1/2” everywhere else). Holman’s website says this Bible has a 10pt type size, but the box has it at 10.5pt. Either way, it looks even bigger than that to me, and it’s a great typeface called Bible Serif from 2K/Denmark. The text line matched to reduce show-through, and the 36 GSM paper feels very nice to the touch. Like many premium Bibles these days, the CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin uses red accents in the verse and chapter numbers, page headings, and footnotes. Speaking of footnotes, you’ll find the translation notes at the bottom of each page, but there are no cross-references in this Bible. It does include a concordance and full-color maps.
FEATURES
• 10.5pt typeface
• 6.75” x 9” trim size
• 1.8” thick
• 36 GSM paper
• Line matching
• Single-column text format
• Wide margins
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Art gilt page edges
• Double-sided ribbon markers
• Textual footnotes
• Concordance
• Full-color Bible Maps
Thoughtful Design
I mentioned at the start of this review that the CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible has grown on me as I’ve spent more time with it, and that really has everything to do with the typesetting. I’m a fan of single-column layouts, but let’s face it, sometimes they don’t work that well.
That’s not the case here.
It’s clear that this Bible was thoughtfully designed with the reader in mind. Biblical poetry can be so difficult to get right, but here it’s balanced and clean, which allows you to get into a rhythm while you’re reading it. The more dense paragraph sections have room to breath because of the generous leading (space between the lines) as well as the wide margins. It’s a typesetting that invites you in, and gives you space to immerse yourself in the text.
I’ve seen a few people comment that they are disappointed that this Bible does not contain cross-references, but I kinda like that about it. I imagine that the designers played around with that idea (perhaps there’s even some files out there where there’s both footnotes and cross-references at the bottom of the page), but that would have necessitated some other change: either the entire text book would have gotten longer and thicker, or things like type size, margin space, and leading would need to be smaller. In my opinion, the design they landed on works really well.
Right For You?
The CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible ticks a lot of unique boxes.
Are you looking for a premium Bible in the CSB translation?
Check.
Are you looking for a wide-margin Bible for taking notes?
Check.
Are you looking for a great single-column Bible?
Check.
Whether you’re looking for one of these things or all three, I think the CSB Single-Column Wide-Margin Bible does them all very well.
BUY THIS BIBLE*
• Amazon ($157)
• Christianbook.com ($110)
*Pricing and Availability subject to change, and some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I make a small commission if you purchase something after clicking the link. Many of the Bibles I review have been provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
