NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible
Another solid Premier Collection edition from Thomas Nelson.
Earlier this year I offered a glowing review of the NKJV Single Column Reference Bible from Thomas Nelson. I loved every aspect of that Bible – especially the brown goatskin cover and the overall aesthetic look and feel – and it’s still one of my favorites.
A couple of weeks after I did that review, I saw a listing on Facebook Marketplace for another brown goatskin NKJV edition from Thomas Nelson. I sent the seller a message and we decided to meet up later that day. To be honest, I kept my hopes in check. There’s often quite a bit of variation in Bibles, even when they come from the same publisher and share many of the same features. But as soon as I got my hands on this NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible, I knew it was a good find.
This is another impressive Bible from Thomas Nelson that stacks up against some of the best Bibles available.
NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible – Overview
The Premier Collection is a line of premium Bibles from Zondervan and Thomas Nelson (both part of HarperCollins Christian Publishing) that debuted in 2018. These Bibles feature high-quality materials, excellent craftsmanship, and unique typefaces for each translation that are designed by 2K/DENMARK (I included a photo below of the note found at the back of this Bible about the custom NKJV Typeface, which is definitely worth reading). Usually these exact same Bibles are available in non-premium formats as well – with less expensive price tags – but the Premier Collection is known for offering high-quality Bibles at relatively affordable prices (more on that in a moment).
The NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible now comes in three colors: black, brown, and blue. The look and feel of this brown one is almost identical to my single column reference edition, with a warm brown color and a very soft and pebbly texture. It has a fairly standard trim size of 6.25” x 9.25”, and comes in at just 1.25” thick, which is somewhat surprising considering the fact that it boasts an 11pt type size on 36 GSM paper. One would think that this Bible would be thicker than it is with those specs, but it’s actually rather slim.
Add in quality construction elements (edge-lined cover, Smyth-sewn binding), line matching, and the full range of reference tools (cross-references, concordance, maps), and the result is a beautiful Bible that makes reading and studying a delightful experience.
FEATURES
• 11pt type size
• 6.25” x 9.25” trim size
• 1.25” thick
• Edge-lined goatskin
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Art gilding
• Three ribbon markers
• 36 GSM European Bible paper
• Line Matching
• Cross-references
• Concordance
• Full-Color Maps
Comparison Game
This is my first review of a more traditional double column reference edition from the Premier Collection, but I’ve reviewed all four of the single column reference Bibles: NIV, NASB, NKJV, and NRSV. Bottom line: I really liked each of those Bibles.
So how does this one compare?
Simply put, what was true of those Bibles remains true of this one. The NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible looks and feels great, is easy to read, and is a bargain for the price. As I mentioned above, you can usually find less expensive editions of these bibles that are identical with the exception that they do not have goatskin covers, but I really like the goatskin of the Premier Collection, and it’s still quite affordable when you compare it to other publishers.
That leads us right into the bigger, more interesting question: How does this Premier Collection Bible compare with similar editions from publishers like Schuyler, Cambridge, or R.L. Allan?
In my video review of this Bible (wink, wink… keep scrolling to watch), I mention that the interior layout reminds me a lot of the Schuyler Quentel, and that similarity forces me to compare the two. I certainly think that this Premier Collection Bible can hold its own with “the Big Three,” because it really is a great Bible. When I start to go down the list of features and compare them side by side, however, I find that the Schuyler gets the edge most of the time. The same thing happens with Cambridge or R.L. Allan. The only category where the Thomas Nelson Bible is the clear winner is when the price tags are compared (in some cases, you can buy two Premier Collection editions for the price of one of the others).
That said, the comparison game is not an exact science. It’s subjective.
What I can say, with great conviction, is that this NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible impressed me. I spend time with a lot of different Bibles, and this one is solid.
Another NKJV Winner
As I’ve mentioned before, the NKJV is not a translation I use often, but this NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible from Thomas Nelson has everything I’d want from a great reference Bible. It checks the boxes, and does so with ease, earning itself an honest comparison with some of the highest quality Bibles available.
Bottom line:
If you’re looking for a premium NKJV at a good price, this is definitely one to consider.
BUYING THIS BIBLE*
• The Premier Collection NKJV Large Print Thinline Reference Bible retails for $189.99, but can be ordered at a discount from EvangelicalBible.com and Amazon (usually less than $110).
• Click here for the blue edition.
• Click here for the black edition.
*Pricing and Availability subject to change.
