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. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. The official publication date of the first printing of our big book, as noted by the united states copyright office, was april 10, 1939. T he alcoholics anonymous big book is not just the most influential self help book ever published. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. I wanted a 2nd edition aa big book to read the different stories in the back.
Alcoholics anonymous big books, temperance, aa grapevines. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. How bill sees it, or the aa way of life this is the previous version of how bill sees it 7. To read a pdf version of the fourth edition of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, fourteenth printing. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, find first, second, third, fourth and international editions. All nineteen books are first edition printings and are signed by the founding members of the aa. Each of these volumes is in the original dust jacket, including the rare. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies. Book cover for large print aa big book recovery shop.
Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa. Feb, 2020 during world war ii, the united states government placed regulations on book printings. The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns. As of january 1, 20, the general services office of alcoholics anonymous estimated there are 114, 642 aa groups in more than 170 nations with more than 2,1,549 members. 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. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. This aa catalog has vintage, rare, and collectible alcoholic anonymous books and related items for sale such as, big books, alcoholism, aa books, oxford group, temperance, aa grapevines, aa periodicals, aa memorabilia, signed aa material, spirituality, and narcotics anonymous books.
The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. This was the version of the big book distributed to friends and colleagues of aas founders before the first edition was printed. The entire collection tells the story of aas explosive growth and the printing changes from april 1939 when the book first appeared, through the final printing of. 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. This first printing was dated 1955 on the title page. Comes with its original dust jacket, having chips and tears, protected in an acid free cover. Alcoholics anonymous big books 1939 first editions, first printings. Apr 10, 2014 as of january 1, 20, the general services office of alcoholics anonymous estimated there are 114, 642 aa groups in more than 170 nations with more than 2,1,549 members. Jul 17, 2016 alcoholics anonymous, preface to the third edition, p. The 25 millionth copy of the big book was published in 2005, so currently over a 1 million copies of the book, alcoholics anonymous, are sold each year. This collection is truly the holy grail of aa books containing all 16 first edition printings in various colors, each in their original dust jackets for a total of 19 books. 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. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Book is in near fine condition, strong gold gild present, previous owners name written on first blank page.
The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction. Alcoholics anonymous 2nd edition 2nd printing 1955 original. Nicknamed the big book by the early aa members for its thick paper and wide margins, the book s history began in 1934 when bill wilson, an alcoholic stockbroker who had found sobriety. See more ideas about alcoholics anonymous, recovery and addiction recovery. Whatcom county alcoholics anonymous, aa, bellingham area. Book is in near fine condition, strong gold gild present, previous owners name written on first blank page original dust jacket in very good condition. Its one of the 20th centurys most significant books and early copies are treasured by numerous collectors. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and. Third edition big books particularly early printings 4. This is the official website of the general service office g. 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. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. We are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. The first 164 pages of the big book, alcoholics anonymous, the preface, the forewords, the doctors opinion, dr.
Pankhurst started drinking again after the big book was published and died in 1954. Rare collection of nineteen alcoholics anonymous books going. The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. 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. Ten second edition alcoholics anonymous big books various printings author. This book was published june 1942, the first run was published in 1939, the second in april 1942.
There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa big. 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. Today, alcoholics anonymous has millions of members. 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 found sobriety. Vinyl book cover with serenity prayer and medallion holder.
These regulations were put in place to conserve paper by limiting the size and weight of books. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, fourteenth printing for. Thus it ranks high on the list of bestselling books ever. Jun 29, 2019 all nineteen books are first edition printings and are signed by the founding members of the aa fellowship. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, sixteenth printing for. Rare collection of nineteen alcoholics anonymous books.
The big book that gave alcoholics hope in 12 steps turns 75. Alcoholics anonymous by bill wilson, first edition abebooks. Call 419 5635905 or email abookman for more information, order a big book, or to sell your books. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. 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. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Silkworths original statement, there have been added, in the. All things aa related big books, step working guides, meditations, medallions, posters and more. All nineteen books are first edition printings and are signed by the founding members of the aa fellowship. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976. The profiles in history auction house said tuesday that the collection will be part of a single lot that includes a 1940 stock certificate used at the time to raise funds to continue printing the big book.
Unfollow aa big book first edition to stop getting updates on your ebay feed. The numbering of the 2nd reference is from the 2nd through the 4th editions which hasnt. Any aa publications books, pamphlets, tapes cds, dvds films etc. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks. In this series we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. Each 1st reference given in red is from the first edition.
The big book of alcoholics anonymous kindle edition. This also has been kept intact, just as it was originally written in 1939 by the late dr. Buy alcoholics anonymous big book 4rev ed by alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Alcoholics victorious and overcomers outreach, inc. 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. The seventh edition from 1945 is the rarest estimates. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Collection of the 16 printings of the first edition of the alcoholics anonymous big book, each in the original dust jacketauthor. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, sixteenth printing 1954 big book. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. Big book changesbig book modifications alcoholics anonymous big book differences big book editions changes akron ohio aa new york the big book of aa. Bob was sober a few months less than three years, and the other 100 early members who contributed in one way or another to the writing of the. Alcoholics anonymous, preface to the third edition, p.
As we all know, aa grew and developed across the world. Following the forewords, there appears a section called the doctors opinion. To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Alcoholics anonymous big books for sale, first second.
The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction fine. There were 16 printings in all between 1939 and 1954. The faithbased net addiction training institute in florida uses the book in its agenda. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men. First is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april 1939 in its original jacket, signed by bill wilson. They were collected over a lifetime by ken roberts, who recently chose profiles in history to sell the original typed working manuscript for the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Alcoholics anonymous big book 4th edition alcoholics anonymous. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. 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. Which at the time was almost unheard of for a book. Collection of the 16 printings of the first edition of the. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939 for sale. I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and what made and makes alcoholics anonymous tick. Publishers original blue cloth, gilt lettered spines, blue jackets.
It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover as of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Alcoholics anonymous first edition, fourteenth printing 1951 big book. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. During world war ii, the united states government placed regulations on book printings. Aug 15, 2019 for people who want to recover and gain insight to life in recovery. Find old, rare, out of print, and items by entering a category above to see what is available. Also, the word really was misspelled as realy in the sixth line on page xx. Aa first edition, first printing april, 1939 big books available for purchase.
The description says 2nd edition big book, not the same 164 pages and the same forewords that are in the 3rd and 4th editions. Feb 09, 2020 we are bringing to you a series about the alcoholics anonymous basic text. This has by all accounts made the good book and the big book the most popular and widely used a. After a bit of research, i found this, a reproduction of the 1938 original manuscript of alcoholics anonymous preface. I feel its important for a recovering alcoholic to encounter the history of aa because they need to know where aa came from and. The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Marty mann 19041980 wrote the chapter women suffer too in the second through fourth editions of the big book.
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