Layman’s Classic Bible Review: Dugan KJV Giant Print

Dugan KJV Giant Print Bible

As I write this it’s Father’s Day. And my dad’s (until recently) primary Bible is an out of print gem (for the most part) that is surprisingly still holding up well after 30 years.  

Dugan was a Bible publisher active in the 80s and 90s, often available at the local Christian bookstore and even at Sam’s.  They shut down and their Bibles are out of print, but it’s not too difficult to get ahold of one on eBay or AbeBooks.

This is a giant print KJV with attractive text and surprisingly sturdy binding for what you get. It’s w 30 years and - even if you have an well worn copy, it’s probably a great candidate for a rebind.

These were published from the mid 1980’s to the mid 1990’s.

Price - You’ll pay $20 or so on eBay for the imitation leather (which is a glorified paperback). There are hardcover and “genuine bonded leather” editions that will cost more.

Size & Font - 9” x 6” x 2” - it’s big and is on the north end of a decent church Bible as far as size, but it’s excellent as a reading Bible. The font is 12-13 point, but is not stretched or squished at all. From the looks of things it’s an old Oxford block but I wouldn’t swear to it.  It’s very readable for long periods and even older eyes should have no problem with it.

Comparison with the Turquoise KJV

It is red letter but it’s a brownish red, not a dark pink, so I like it.

The paper quality is actually very good for something mass produced like this was. The ghosting is much less than even most high end Bibles these days. It’s not line matched but pretty close, though this doesn’t really make much  of a difference as this is nice.

Physical features - Dad’s Bible has smythe-sewn binding, surprising given it’s old school imitation leather (meaning thin cardboard with a leather imprint). I’ve seen the imitation leather in black, burgundy, and blue, which I’ve only seen hardcover and bonded leather in burgundy (but black wouldn’t shock me). No gilding.

• Front cover says “Holy Bible, Giant Print”
• Spine has “Holy Bible, Original King James Version, Giant Print, Dictionary Concordance, Red letter edition” and the logo

Uses - This would work as a family, church, or reading Bible. Nothing compact about it.

Other features - Not a lot but some extra material

• No references, no footnotes, not even (in this edition) select headings in the text or at the top of the page
• A decent 96-page concordance, which is very small print (6-7 point)
• Dictionary of scripture names (and their meanings)
• Harmony of the gospels
• List of “children’s Bible stories” and where to find them in the Bible
• “Guide to successful living” (from the sermon on the mount)
• Bible Q&A
• Parables and Miracles of Jesus
• A couple of photos of modern Israel
• Some watercolor maps in the back

Pros:

• Print is exceptionally large, easy to read, and attractive
• Sewn binding keeps it sturdy. One would do well too but this cheap and use it for a rebind 
• Helpful concordance and study helps in the back

Cons:

• It’s out of print
• Deceptive marketing! 
• Instead of “imitation leather” they had the gall to call it “image Buffalo leather” which implies to me that it’s leather, and good leather at that! (It’s not, it’s cardboard imprinted with a Buffalo leather  print). 
• Other editions have “genuine bonded leather” which is an oxymoron to me.
• Finally it’s called “Original King James Version” which Bible nerds like me take to be the 1611, whereas it’s your standard 1769. They probably did this as the New King James Version had recently been released.

If only...

• This volume would make an excellent reprint. The text is large but not distorted. I don’t know who - if anyone - has the rights to it