*Originally posted on 11/17/2010, Brief update made on 2/8/2021
The beautiful RL Allan Ruby Edition Bible (KJV) is stunningly beautiful with it’s premium goatskin leather, full yapp, and red under gold edges.
Over the summer, my mother ordered the most beautiful bible as a birthday gift for me, one that I have admired for quite some time: The RL Allan Ruby Edition Bible.
It looks slightly antiqued — Victorian, perhaps — and is covered with a fantastic, premium quality goatskin leather.
It has been on back-order ever since she placed the order, finally arriving last week.
It is my intent to use this as my “carry around” bible, to church and bible study. It’s small size makes it easy to tuck into a large purse or any average size tote bag. It’s advertised as pocket size (just over 6×4 inches), but I do think it’s a tad large for my pocket. Maybe because I’m a smaller sized woman?
Made in Scotland by a small family owned company (and distributed by Evangelical Bible in the USA), R.L. Allan pays superior attention to detail, crafting bibles that easily become heirlooms within families. This particular bible was printed at Oxford University Press, on India paper. It’s the King James Version.
(Update 2021: RL Allan Bibles are now headquartered in the UK)
The pages are strikingly beautiful with these red-under-gold edges.
This is my second R.L. Allan bible (my other, the Reader’s ESV, I use for morning reading) and it will be a joy to pass these on to my children one day, well-marked and tenderly worn, with all the richness and care than a mama can possibly pass down a bible with…
I especially love the full yapp that my bible has; not only is the full yapp (where the long leather edges curve over the pages) especially elegant looking, in my opinion, but it also serves to protect the gilded pages inside.
This Ruby Edition Bible will be treasured for years to come. Not only because it is the inspired Word of the Lord, not only because of its enduring elegance and craftsmanship, but because it was a thoughtful gift from my mother.
Do you have a bible that you intend to make a family heirloom? We’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Related: How to Study the Bible
Jamie,
Wonderful post. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pics of your new Bible. Once someone gets their hands on a fine Bible like an R.L. Allan, it's hard to go back to the typical store bought imitation leather Bible so common these days. One small correction: the ESV Readers is semi yapp, not full yapp, but that's still a lot more yapp than the typical Bible today!
In answer to your question, your post has got me thinking about the subject. I guess since I have four kids, I now have an excuse to get four R. L. Allans! I currently own a black ESV1 and LOVE it.
Thanks again and enjoy your beautiful new Bible!
Brett ~
Thank you 🙂 This bible is a treasure!
And I would have to say that four RL Allans is a wonderful idea… one intended for each child. Wouldn't that be a precious gift for them one day?!
Kindly,
Jaime G