Cornwall press was contracted to print the book in 1939. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than. There were various edits and changes to each printing, which makes every version of the alcoholics anonymous first edition big book very unique and highly collectible. Each of these volumes is in the original dust jacket, including the rare first edition, first printing of which only a reported 4,760 of the 5,000 copies ordered were printed due to a shortage of paper, and the incredibly elusive seventh printing. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Hard cover reproduction of the first printing of the first edition of alcoholics anonymous.
The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction fine. First edition alcoholics anonymous big book reprint i. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book, first edition 11th printing. Its estimated that fewer than 200 copies still remain in their original dust jacket. Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 2nd printing 1941 original dust jacket. Alcoholics anonymous generally known as the big book is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, written by the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa, bill w. The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. 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. It took almost two years to sell the 4,650 copies of the first printing. In that brief space, alcoholics anonymous has mushroomed into nearly 6,000 groups whose membership is far above 150,000 recovered alcoholics.
Aa big book has been registered as a trademark by aa world service inc. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism aa big book ninth printing by alcoholics anonymous seller gallagher books, abaa, ilab published 1946. 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. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition th printing 1950 big book works publishing. The aa big book alcoholic anonymous books my 12 step store. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first. This book was published june 1942, the first run was published in 1939, the second in april 1942. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale. Compared to the original this reproduction has the same content and appearance but is not as thick. A special booklet, titled a brief history of the big book, in english, spanish and french, will be.
Ruth hock, aas first national secretary, wrote if it wasnt for bill wilson the big book would never have been written. Mar 01, 20 at the same time across the atlantic in the united states, two partners that met 10 years prior, are about to publish the first printing of their big book alcoholics anonymous. Aa big book forward to the first edition alcoholics anonymous first edition, first pr. The anonymous press po box 1212 malo wa 991501212 800 8004398 fax 5097794339. The official publication date of the first printing of our big book, as noted by the united states copyright office, was april 10, 1939. This material is available online because the for the first edition has expired. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large. Very rare bill wilson alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing of his immensely influential book alcoholics anonymous, works publishing. Alcoholics anonymous first edition big books 19391954. This 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. 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. Alcoholics anonymous shop big book 75th anniversary 1st.
The process for creating our book, alcoholics anonymous. Sep 20, 2016 alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing of the revolutionary big book from which the substance treatment program derives its name one of only about 1,900 in existence alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing the story of how more than one hundred men have recovered from alcoholism, works publishing. Foreword to second edition fourteenth printing, 1973 since the original foreward to this book was written in 1939, a wholesale miracle has taken place. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine.
Book cover is not the original video is available at. Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first. From the first edition big book the alcoholic foundation appendix i page 397398 in our text we have shown the alcoholic how he may. 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. Watch asl dvd version includes subtitles and audio in english. Sixteen years have elapsed between our first printing of this book and the presentation in 1955 of our second edition. This is the official website of the general service office g. Alcoholics anonymous, the big book 1946, 1st edition, 9th printing. This latter is considered the most difficult printing to find of all the aa big books published. The alcoholics anonymous first edition big book collection features sixteen printings with the very first printing published in april 1939 up to the sixteenth printing in august 1954. Groups are to be found in each of the united states and all of the provinces of canada.
Alcoholics anonymous aa big book, first edition 11th. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, first second third. 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. Collection of the 16 printings of the first edition of the. The first 164 pages of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, the preface, the forewords, the doctors opinion, dr. The alcoholics anonymous first edition big book collection features sixteen printings with the very first printing published in april 1939 up to the sixteenth printing. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa and many of the first 100 members of the group. However, the fledgling aa organization had no funds to pay for the print run itself so the publisher kept the copies and released them on a pay as you go basis. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. The story of how more than one hundred men 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. A softcover reprint of the first printing of the first edition of the big book, better known as, alcoholics anonymous. Book cover is not the original video is available at 9042746225.
This faithful replica of the original featuring red cloth binding, thick paper and the colorful circus cover was published to. Alcoholics anonymous aa was founded in 1935 by bill wilson known as bill w. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book first edition th printing great and rare collectors item or sobriety gift. This faithful replica of the original featuring red cloth binding, thick paper and the colorful circus cover was published to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the big book. Harry later sued aa for money he loaned to print the big book. How much is a first edition alcoholics anonymous book. William schaberg, aa expert, antiquarian book dealer and author of writing the big book. This ebook is not a product of alcoholics anonymous. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are many thousands of men and women. Jerry needed to know so he started upon a project to identify the changes that were made to various printings and editions of the big book. Includes a reproduction of the original dustjacket. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are many thousands of men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. There were various edits and changes to each printing, which makes every version of the alcoholics anonymous first edition big book. The title of the book bill wilson wrote is alcoholics anonymous, but it is. How much is a first edition alcoholics anonymous book worth. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc.
Home aa bronze year 1 65 aa bronze month 1 11, 18 aa 24 hours reflex design medallions. Book book chapter journal edited conference proceedings proceedings book. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Alcoholics anonymous big books 1939 first editions, first. This history begins with the groups early struggles and continues through its worldwide growth. Springer nature switzerland ag, isbn 97830305795, 2020. The publication of this book has not been authorized or endorsed by, and does not imply affiliation with alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. He also had a significant role in the development of the big book. A draft fourth edition of the big book, alcoholics anonymous be developed and a progress report be brought to the 1998 conference literature committee, keeping in mind the 1995 advisory action that. Alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson, first edition abebooks. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book ny. First printings are rare, signed and inscribed copies exceptionally so. A first edition print of alcoholics anonymous big book, in mint condition can be worth as much as any collector is willing to pay.
Available with screen printing and coin holder display. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book, first edition 11th printing 1947 hardcover january 1, 1947. This title includes the entire original and unchanged text and personal stories. Only 4,650 copies were printed, this book is an exceptional find, especially in the highly soughtafter original dust jacket. The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction. Except in a few cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. Authorised reproduction of the first edition of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book, first edition 11th printing 1947 hardcover january 1, 1947 by alcoholics anonymous author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions.
Alcoholics anonymous aa big book first edition 14th printing 1951 great and rare collectors item or sobriety gift. First edition big book 75th anniversary reproduction alcoholics. Which at the time was almost unheard of for a book. Stories from later editions are not available online because of restrictions. First is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april 1939 in its original jacket, signed by bill wilson. Jun 26, 2019 first is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april 1939 in its original jacket, signed by bill wilson. Aa big book covers leather big book covers vinyl big. Publishers blue cloth, stamped in blind to front board. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp.
Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first edition. No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. Subsequently, the history of alcoholics anonymous aa has been documented in books, movies, and aa literature. The aa big book special edition with red hardcover binding, the famous circus cover dust jacket and bulky paper. Known as the big book, the basic text of alcoholics anonymous has helped millions of people recover from alcoholism since the first edition appeared in 1939. An affordable reproduction of the original big booka a. Of alcoholics anonymous, know thousands of men and women who were once just as hopeless as bill. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first edition.
Aa big book covers leather big book covers vinyl big book. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book 1st edition 14th printing. Personal stories from the first edition this section has personal stories from the big book of alcoholics anonymous. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. Aa big book myths tidbits and trivia 800 recovery hub blog.
Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, first second. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book inscribed by bill wilson to margret bobbie burger, her personal gift book, with its. Consequently, the printer began using thick paper with large margins to increase the size of the book, hence the name the big book. Alcoholics anonymous the big book is one of the bestselling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies. Jul 17, 2016 alcoholics anonymous, preface to the third edition, p. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book 1st edition th printing. Fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous click here. Alcoholics anonymous aa big book signed by bill wilson first edition 8th print. If it wasnt for hank parkhurst it never would have been published. Smith, four time governor of new york and was unsuccessfully the first roman catholic presidential candidate. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international. This new addition will be 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. Vinyl covers for giant print aa big book choce of colors.
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