Text Editions

• Recognizing a Fine Bible
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Glossary
• Leather binding materials
• List of University Printers

Related...

• English Standard Version
• King James Version
• New American Standard Bible
• New English Bible
• New International Version
• New King James Version
• New Living Translation
• New Revised Standard Version
• Revised English Bible
• Today's New International Version

• Book of Common Prayer

• Gift Editions

• About Cambridge Bibles
• Glossary
• Leather binding materials

• Cambridge Bible Stockists
• Bibles and prayer books for churches and schools

• Books and journals

Cover Materials

Calfskin
A traditional high-quality, long-lasting leather used in fine bindings. The finest calfskin is renowned for its distinctive natural grain and rich colour shading, features which make every Bible unique.

The best quality is sometimes known as ‘top-grain’ calfskin in the US. This refers to the retention of the strongest part of the hide. Some Bible publishers use cheaper grades of split calfskin, which lack the subtle qualities of the best material but are otherwise similar in appearance. Properly, they should be identified as such by using a different name to distinguish a split from top-grain.