I just received my pre-ordered hardcover copy of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible (ICSB) this afternoon! Here are a few photos and first impressions:
Size
My copy measures just a hair over 2.75 inches in thickness. It is a very large book, as expected. I stacked it up with some of the largest commentaries and bibles in my collection:
The hardcover ICSB is noticeably thicker than the single-volume Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible (2.5 inches thick). It is also larger in all dimensions (length, width, and height) compared to the Oxford Catholic Study Bible and the New Oxford Annotated Bible. Until now, the Eerdmans Commentary has been the thickest book on my shelf.
Binding and Paper
The binding feels sturdy but still compliant. It opens easily without feeling stiff, and it also doesn’t feel floppy or loose. My first impression is that it feels solid and well-made. The binding is sewn, as expected.
The paper is noticeably thicker than standard bible paper. Comparing the ICSB side-by-side with the New Oxford Annotated Bible (NOAB), the ICSB’s paper is much thicker and weightier. The Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible has thicker paper than the ICSB, but the New Jerome Biblical Commentary’s paper feels slightly thinner than the ICSB. There is some minor ghosting of text from subsequent pages, but so far, it looks minimal and doesn’t affect reading.
