First state of the first printing of the 2nd edition. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Several more expensive copies are available via abebooks. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey. In this series we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. Alcoholics anonymous big books 1939 first editions, first printings. Aa big book aa big book taghere the foundation progress and principles. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book first edition 14th printing. Sep 20, 2016 alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing inscribed and signed by aas cofounder bill wilson. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. Our reference for this study of the 12 steps is the first 103 pages of alcoholics anonymous, fourth edition, the basic text xi. No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. Red cloth lettered in gilt, jacket, custom red cloth box with black morocco labels.
Mar 01, 20 alcoholics anonymous big book represents a fine example of demand driven scarcity. There is a no apparent writing in the book and there are no missing pages, the cover has general soiling, the spine ends are rolled, the gilt lettering on the front cover is dull and about 95% present, the gilt lettering on the spine is rubbed and about 20% visible, the text pages are agetoned with foxedstained stained text block page edges and reinforced front. In 2011, time magazine placed the book on its list of the 100 best and most influential books written in english since 1923, the beginning of the magazine. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Please do not write with questions about meetings click here for meeting info. The big book of alcoholics anonymous verywell mind. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the historic publication of alcoholics anonymous in april 1939, the 20 general service conference approved the creation of this facsimile edition of the first printing of the first edition. There is a no apparent writing in the book and there are no missing pages, the cover has general soiling, the spine ends are rolled, the gilt lettering on the front cover is dull and about 95% present, the gilt lettering on the spine is rubbed and about 20% visible, the text pages are agetoned with foxedstained stained text block page edges and reinforced front hinge. Groups are to be found in each of the united states and all of the provinces of canada. Classes were attended by the many newcomers who were then joining the group and they were run using a set. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa.
This first edition, first printing copy of the big book has been carefully owned and treasured in a single family for five generations. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939. How much is a first edition alcoholics anonymous book. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, third printing 1942 big book ny. Its first printing in 1939 was on very thick paper, so it came out surprisingly fat and was laughingly dubbed the big book. Alcoholics anonymous big book represents a fine example of demand driven scarcity. The story lone endeavor was an interesting story that was added in the late preparation for the printing of the big book in 1939. An affordable reproduction of the original big booka a. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book. Collection of the 16 printings of the first edition of the. Only 4,650 copies were printed of this highly desirable first printing, rarely found threequarters of a century later in this condition.
Works publishing edit wilson began work on the book, and as financial difficulties were encountered, the first two chapters, bills story and there is a solution. Service manualtwelve concepts for world services alcoholics anonymous comes of age alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition as bill sees it came to believe daily reflections dr. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing inscribed and signed by aas cofounder bill wilson. Bob smith first edition, first printing of the little red book in 1942, ed webster, a member of the nicollet group of alcoholics anonymous in minneapolis, began teaching classes on the study and application of the twelve steps of a. Although it was not the first help book to be published, it proved to be the most collectible in its category.
For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. Make offer alcoholics anonymous book,1st edition,15th printing, facsimile dj, 1954 navy the little red book, 1947 alcoholics anonymous, 1st ed. The story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism. This is a reprint of the first big book of aa, i am so happy and grateful to be able to read the big book as it was first.
There is a no apparent writing in the book and there are no missing pages, the cover has general soiling, the spine ends are rolled, the gilt lettering on the front cover is dull and about 95% present, the gilt. The description says 2nd edition big book, not the same 164 pages and the same forewords that are in the 3rd and 4th editions. B0 alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the. This conferenceapproved special edition of alcoholics anonymous is a reproduction of the first printing of the first edition of the big book as it was published in 1939.
The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction fine. The text of the first 164 pages of alcoholics anonymous, unchanged since they first came off press in 1939, evolved from a process of furious debate and wise compromise in may 1938, when cofounder bill w. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa big book. Alcoholics anonymous the big book is one of the bestselling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies.
Size and weight of 1st edition big book alcoholics. Alcoholics anonymous shop big book 75th anniversary 1st. The process for creating our book, alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book inscribed by bill wilson to margret bobbie burger, her personal gift book, with its original dust jacket. Harry emerson fosdick 01004 the christian science monitor, boston. The book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name.
Bob smith and also by jim burwell the ny atheistan amazingly rare copy of the first edition, first issue of alcoholics anonymous this copy has been signed by both of aas cofounders, bill wilson and dr. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. First edition, first printing of the big book inscribed by both of a. This personal story from the back of the book was removed after the release of the first printing of the book and has not reappeared in any printings since. Reproduction of the first printing of the first edition aa services on. Back in the day it was referred to as the big book of alcoholics anonymous even though it was the only book for a while. Unfollow alcoholics anonymous first edition big book to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. Special edition with red hardcover binding, the famous circus cover dust jacket and bulky paper which was why it was initially called the big book. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine.
Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first. Bob smith first edition, first printing of the little red bookin 1942, ed webster, a member of the nicollet group of alcoholics anonymous in minneapolis, began teaching classes on the study and application of the twelve steps of a. We are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. There are more than 79 differences between the current text of the first 164 pages and the original text. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing hardcover book, signed and inscribed by aa cofounder bill wilson on the front free endpaper.
Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first edition. Jul 17, 2019 the book alcoholics anonymous, affectionately known by members as the big book, is the textbook for the original 12step recovery program now known by the same name. Members often refer to alcoholics anonymous as the big book, but not to compare it with any sacred text. View by list pass it on a brief history of the big book a. I wanted a 2nd edition aa big book to read the different stories in the back. Nicknamed the big book by the early aa members for its thick paper and wide margins, the books history began in 1934 when bill wilson, an alcoholic stockbroker who had. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Aa first edition, first printing april, 1939 big books available for purchase. This is the 1st printing of the aa big book of which there were only 4,650 to 4,670 copies printed, far fewer than the ensuing printings that included 20,000 for the 8th and 9th printings, 25,000 for the 10th and 11th printing, 42,350 for the 12th printing, 50,000 for the th printing and 49,800 for the 14th printing. Table of contents 01001 new york times, june 25, 1939 01002 journallancet, vol. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions.
This title includes the entire original and unchanged text and personal stories. Hard cover reproduction of the first printing of the first edition of alcoholics anonymous. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous first edition big book aaspeaker. Its main objective is to help the alcoholic find a power greater than himself that will solve his problem, the problem being an inability to stay sober on his or her own. Detailsto commemorate the 75th anniversary of the historic publication of alcoholics anonymous in april 1939, the 20 general service conference approved the creation of this facsimile edition of the first printing of the first edition. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. Includes a section detailing where the main text differs from the modern 3rd and 4th edition text. A seventh printing sold for 2,750 several years ago but you are unlikely to find that printing as cheap as that again. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book.
First edition big book 75th anniversary reproduction alcoholics. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, seventh printing 1945 big book. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, eighth printing 1945 big book, small war time publishing. In this series, we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. The book they wrote, alcoholics anonymous the big book, is the basic text for aa on how to stay sober, and it is from the title of this book that the group got its name. The first printing of the first edition on the big book is almost exactly 2 inches thick. How much is a first edition alcoholics anonymous book worth. First printings are rare, signed and inscribed copies exceptionally so.
The big book bb notations are to page and paragraph, as in 64. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. In that brief space, alcoholics anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics. Authorised reproduction of the first edition of alcoholics anonymous.
The book will probably never go out of print as it has set the standard for fighting addictions. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition. First is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april 1939 in its original jacket, signed by bill wilson. Previous owners sticker on top left inside board, gift inscription. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book first edition 14th. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition, 1st printing, april 1939 works publishing company.
The text of the first 164 pages of alcoholics anonymous, unchanged since they first came off press in 1939, evolved from a process of furious debate and wise compromise. Front cover has light demarkation at bottom right corner possibly where a sticker would. First edition alcoholics anonymous big book reprint i. Facsimile 1st edition 1st printing alcoholics anonymous aa big book addiction. Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation in 1955 of our second edition.
No writing or other marks to book other than shown in photos. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. Mar 26, 2020 the story lone endeavor was an interesting story that was added in the late preparation for the printing of the big book in 1939. Owners name inscribed in ink on first board and first blank page.
A special booklet, titled a brief history of the big book, in english, spanish and french, will be included with all orders of this commemorative edition big book. Cornwall press was contracted to print the book in 1939. Harry emerson fosdick 01004 the christian science monitor, boston, august 17, 1939. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. The entire original and unchanged text and stories. Special edition with red hardcover binding, the famous circus cover dust jacket and bulky paper which was why it was initially called the.
This edition is a faithful replica of the original, with the famous circus cover dust jacket and bulky paper which is why it was initially called the big book, and is published in the original englishlanguage text only. The first 11, basic chapters were written by bill w. An additional section has been included that details where and how the main text differs from the modern 3rd and 4th editions of the book. This first edition, first printing copy of the big book has been carefully owned and treasured in. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa big. Lone endeavor story from the first printing of the. Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 8th printing for. This personal story from the back of the book was removed after the release of the first printing of. The first printing of the first edition was published in april of 1939, followed by 15 more printings up until the release of the 2nd edition in 1955. Aa big book aa big book taghere the foundation progress and principles washington temperance society of baltimore the missionary spirit alcoholism recovery 3rd edition 2nd edition alcohol allergy rehabilitation of alcoholics dr. Includes a reproduction of the original dustjacket. Feb 09, 2020 we are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text.
Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 7th printing for. New stories have been added to the personal histories. Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation of 1955 of our second edition. Book is in very good condition, with gold gild faded on spine, wear to top and bottom of spine, light blemishes and stains to boards. Special edition with red hardcover binding, the famous circus cover dust jacket and. There were 4,730 books printed, with red cloth binding, wide columns, thick paper which was why it was called the big book in the first place, and a red, yellow. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first. A first edition print of alcoholics anonymous big book, in mint condition can be worth as much as any collector is willing to pay. However, the fledgling aa organization had no funds. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition, 1st printing ebay.
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