Previous owners name at bottom of first blank page, otherwise no marks, notes, or writing to any pages. We are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book ny. 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. It took almost two years to sell the 4,650 copies of the first printing. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed.
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. The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction. Alcoholics anonymous big book with original dust jacket by bill wilson edition. This was an attempt by bill w to give the impression the purchaser was getting something for the price, which was very high in 1939. Photo by flickr user abebooks april 10, 1939, marks the publication date of alcoholics anonymous. First edition printing dates are given in the first edition big book stories at printing history of the first edition a reproduction of the first printing can be purchased today and it is much taller and thicker than our current big book, although it has fewer pages. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printing 1939 book condition. Alcoholics anonymous, colloquially known as the big book, is the foundational text of the alcoholics anonymous rehabilitation program, written by one of its founding members and first published in 1939. First is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april. Alcoholics anonymous april 1939 first edition 1st printing.
The aa big book special edition with red hardcover binding, the famous circus cover dust jacket and bulky paper. 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. This is a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous. 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. The aa big book alcoholic anonymous books my 12 step store. The book belonged to roy scovil of oklahoma city ok, who got sober on december 15, 1942. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition, 1st printing, april 1939 works publishing company.
But for older books, or books originally published by small imprints, the first run may have been as few as 100 copies. Jun 26, 2019 each book is very special and unique, however special attention must be brought to the following four items in the collection. Fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. According to the forward to the first edition to the big book, the first printing of the book occurred in this year. The second part changes because it is the part that consists of personal stories of recovering alcoholics. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. New york a 1939 first edition, first printing of alcoholics anonymousinscribed and signed by wilson sold for. Aabig book has been registered as a trademark by aa world service inc. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 rdj ebay. New stories have been added to the personal histories. 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. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. Rare collection of nineteen alcoholics anonymous books going.
Literature alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition. 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. Alcoholics anonymous big book with original dust jacket by. A seventh printing sold for 2,750 several years ago but you are unlikely to find that printing as cheap as that again. Get cozy and expand your home library with a large online selection of books at. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. Feb 09, 2020 we are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. Gold gild is worn on front, signed by jim burwell two times. For some blockbuster titles, this can be as many as 50,000 copies or more. Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 1st printing april. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. In this series we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. The original 1939 edition, i could read the stories that makeup the second part 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. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. 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. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns 75 the 1939 first edition, first printing of alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson from 1939, known as the big book. Alcoholics anonymous big book 1st edition 1st printing. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book jim burwells personal book.
Because of the national publicity aa grew from a membership of 2,000 to over 8,000 in record time. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories of men and women who have overcome the disease. Jack oconnor art of hunting big game in north america 1st edition, fine the big book for peace hardcover wdustjacket 1st edition dutton childrens. Each book is very special and unique, however special attention must be brought to the following four items in the collection. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a.
Mar 25, 2020 the 2nd printing of the first edition alcoholics anonymous big book was published in march 1941. The description says 2nd edition big book, not the same 164 pages and the same forewords that are in the 3rd and 4th editions. Vinyl covers for giant print aa big book choce of colors. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp.
Big red book alcoholics anonymous april, 1939 works publishing company first edition 1st printingall photos in this listing are of this book listed. Aa big book first edition yearly alcoholics anonymous 17. Cornwall press was contracted to print the book in 1939. Available with screen printing and coin holder display. Several more expensive copies are available via abebooks. The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered. In all, there were 16 printings that each have a story to tell. 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. 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. First printings are rare, signed and inscribed copies exceptionally so.
Roy scovill personally asked bob, bill and jim to sign this first edition, firsts printing copy of the big book in the early 50s. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. The first edition refers to a books first printing run. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa. With these aa chips, we pay tribute to the first edition of the big book alcoholics anonymous. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. Overall, a lovely copy of the scarce second edition of this important book. The book was released at the same time as the famed saturday evening post article written by jack alexander which hit the newsstands on march 1, 1941. This is the 1st printing of the 1st edition big book from 1939. Alcoholics anonymous the big book is one of the bestselling books of all time, having sold 30 million copies. We have used the same coloring, font style, and layout of the first aa big book. 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. The red cloth covers look great with no wear or fading. First edition, first printing of alcoholics anonymous in a near fine dust jacket this copy gifted by bill wilson to his brotherinlaw rogers burnhamthe first edition, first printing of the big book was produced by cornwall press in new york and printed on thick paper with wide margins in order to justify the.
We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Aa first edition first printing april, 1939 big book free u. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Fine gold gilt lettering, wide margins, thick paper. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, first printing 1939 big book. The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns 75.
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. 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. I have a copy and it is quite useful for checking out changes in the book. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 rdj. I wanted a 2nd edition aa big book to read the different stories in the back. Foreword to first edition this is the foreword as it appeared in the. The 2nd printing of the first edition alcoholics anonymous big book was published in march 1941. Alcoholics anonymous facsimile first printing of the first. Aa big book covers leather big book covers vinyl big book. A lot of people think that the bb has never been changed since 1939. Aug 17, 2011 the second part of the book has changed slightly with the printing of each new edition. Alcoholics anonymous first edition bill wilson first edition. Tight binding, no writing, ink, or pencil marks, no inscription or folded pages.
More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. Helmut newton big nudes 1st edition lagerfeld photography book 1990 hardcover. The second part of the book has changed slightly with the printing of each new edition. Book is in very good condition, book has been professionanly rebound.
W e, ofalcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Pocket size mini aa big book coverss 11 colors vinyl. Because this book has become the basic text for our society and has helped such large numbers of alcoholic men and women to recovery, there exists a sentiment. 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.
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