The ESV Wellington Heirloom Alpha with Westminster Books

Today I'm partnering with the good people over at Westminster Books to bring you a review of the ESV Heirloom Alpha in Wellington leather. This is a beautiful Bible that I call my unicorn. I highly recommend you check it out and head over to Westminster Books to pick up your copy!

Well hallelujah and welcome to the Not Another Book or Bible Review Channel. My name is Cam Hyde, and I’m bringing you unconventional book and Bible reviews. I’m excited to partner with the good people at Westminster Books, the Westminster Bookstore (WTSBooks.com). They offer an excellent selection of books and Bibles, and they curate their collection well. If you’re a Christian, I think you’ll benefit from shopping at Westminster Books.

Today, they’ve sent me a Bible to review, and I’m very excited about it. This Bible is kind of my unicorn—it’s one I’ve been after for a while, and I’m thrilled to finally have it in my hands. I’ll never let it go. This is the English Standard Bible Heirloom Alpha in Wellington leather.

Let’s talk about what makes this Bible great. First off, I love the box. The ESV heirloom boxes are so elegant. I’m a sucker for black and gold, and this box is beautiful. When you open it up, you’ll find a card that outlines their quality pledge and offers a lifetime guarantee. The Bible itself is wrapped in a soft, velvety material—just excellent craftsmanship. The construction of the packaging feels premium, not like the cardstock that comes with other premium Bibles. It has a high-class feel, and I really appreciate that.

Now, let’s look at the Bible itself. If you’re not familiar with the Alpha, it’s a portable Bible with an 8-point type size. It fits nicely in your hand. You can see how compact and portable it is. I love the Personal Size Reference Bible Crossway puts out, and this has a similar 8-point type, but it’s thinner, making it even more portable. If you’re looking for a full Bible that’s still easy to carry, this is a great option. It comes in either black goatskin or this beautiful Wellington leather.

Speaking of the leather, let’s take a closer look. The Wellington leather is soft and supple. One thing I like about it is that it’s going to show character as you use it. It will develop a patina over time, showing scratches and wear. This Bible is meant to be used—it’s not something you should baby. If you prefer a different feel, the black goatskin is also available. But for those who appreciate a Bible that tells the story of your faithfulness in the Word, this leather is perfect.

The Bible features spine hubs and is blind-stamped, meaning there’s no gold or silver foil. The impression is made directly into the leather, which gives it a classic look. It’s also perimeter-stitched, adding to the overall durability. The red under-gold art gilding is beautiful and shiny, and the Bible has two ribbon bookmarks. They’re satin brown and match the leather well, although I do wish Crossway would make the ribbons a little thicker. But, realistically, they do the job.

This Bible is great because of its size and portability. It’s meant to be carried and used frequently. I love the Wellington leather because it will age beautifully as you use it. A lot of people want to keep their premium Bibles in pristine condition, but this one is meant to be used. Premium Bibles are built to last a lifetime, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.

When you open the Bible, you’ll find a soft liner, possibly a lambskin-type material. The edges are edge-lined for durability, and there’s a nice vinyl sheet for added protection. Crossway is known for making some of the best premium Bibles, and this one is no exception. The paper is 28 GSM, which is thinner and more portable. Some people don’t like this paper weight, but I find it works well for portability, and it holds up well to marking. If you’re used to thicker paper, like 32 or 36 GSM, it might take some adjustment, but this paper feels smooth and handles wear well.

The layout is a double-column format, with footnotes but no cross-references. The type is black-letter, and the 8-point size is very readable, especially with good line spacing. If you’re familiar with Crossway’s Large Print Compact, this layout is similar, but this Bible is a bit bigger. The improved line spacing makes reading much easier. A slight increase in line spacing can make a huge difference in readability, especially with smaller type.

In the back, you’ll find a table of weights and measures, some full-color maps (though for a portable Bible, I don’t think you need them), and a few blank sheets for notes. This is an amazing Bible. It’s incredible, and for me, it’s like a dream come true. I love the ESV Omega, but if you’re looking for something smaller and more portable that can handle regular use, I highly recommend the Alpha. You can pick one up at Westminster Books, and I’ll include a link in the show notes.

If you’ve enjoyed this review and found it helpful, please like and subscribe to the channel. It helps me continue to create content. And be sure to check out Westminster Books—let them know I sent you.

Until next time.