Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version Value Guide

The 1952 Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bible represents a landmark in biblical translation, aiming to bridge the gap between King James literary style and modern accessibility. As the first complete edition of the RSV, it became a staple for mainline Protestant denominations in the United States during the mid-20th century.

What Is Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version Worth?

The typical price range for Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version is $10 - $20 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Physical condition of the cloth binding, specifically looking for fraying at the head of the spine or sun-bleaching.
• Presence of the original paper dust jacket, which is often missing from these early 1950s copies.
• Internal cleanliness, including the absence of personal inscriptions, highlighting, or completed 'Family Record' pages.
• The specific printing impression, with true first printings from 1952 being the most desirable for collectors of modern translations.

How to Identify Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version?

• Check the title page for the 'Revised Standard Version' name and the primary publication date of 1952.
• Look for the Thomas Nelson & Sons publisher mark, as they were the original authorized publishers for this edition.
• Verify the presence of the 1946 New Testament and 1952 Old Testament copyright dates on the verso of the title page.
• Identify the characteristic maroon or black cloth binding and gold-stamped spine lettering typical of early mass-market releases.

History of Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible was first published in its entirety in 1952. It was a revision of the American Standard Version of 1901, which in turn was a revision of the King James Version of 1611. The RSV aimed to be a readable and literally accurate translation, and it quickly became a popular choice among mainline Protestant denominations. Its translation philosophy sought to preserve the literary qualities of the King James Version while updating the language to be more accessible to modern readers.