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. Several more expensive copies are available via abebooks. This is the second edition of the book alcoholics anonymous, which made its first appearance in april 1939. The first printing of the first edition was published in april of 1939. Originally publiished in 1939, when membership of the a. I n 1939 the first edition of the basic text of aa was published under the name alcoholics anonymous. Big book overview alcoholics anonymous or the big book as it is commonly called was first published in 1939 and was subtitled the story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation. 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. It was mandatory to have such notice on each and every copy of the book. Today it is the most widely used resource for millions of individuals in recovery and the organization has more than 2 million members. Each 1st reference given in red is from the first edition. In this series we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the first edition big book. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book abebooks.
Big book changes these are the changes that have been made in the program portion of the big book the first 164 pages and the roman numeral pages since it was first published on april 10, 1939. Its estimated that fewer than 200 copies still remain in their original dust jacket. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are many thousands of men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. There were 16 printings in all between 1939 and 1954. The seller of this book sold on ebay, describes the book as being in. Informally known as the big book, it has gone through numerous editions, and as. Fellowship was less than one hundred, the first edition of this book has now gone through more than 300,000 copies. Informally known as the big book, it has gone through numerous editions, and as a lifeline to millions worldwide, it is the most widely used resource for recovering alcoholics. Together they founded the alcoholics anonymous aa fellowship. In april 1939, 4,730 copies of the 1st edition of alcoholics anonymous were published. The original copy of the big book is up for auction and. With publication of the second edition in 1955, the third edition in 1976.
For easier portability, this is the softcover version of the regular big book. The second part of the book has changed slightly with the printing of each new edition. Aa big book myths tidbits and trivia 800 recovery hub blog. Home read the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous this is the fourth edition of the. B1 alcoholics anonymous fourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a. The second part changes because it is the part that consists of personal stories of recovering alcoholics. 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.
The book is published by alcoholics anonymous world services. Fine condition with original dust jacket in fine condition as new a beautiful book. Red cloth wrap with gilt title stamp to boards and spine. The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to. It is the first text written about the experiences of the founders of the a. A guide to collecting alcoholics anonymous big book. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Silkworths name was not added to the the doctors opinion until publication of the 2 nd edition in 1955.
Aa first edition first printing april, 1939 big book free u. Aa lore has it that the fellowship was named after the first printing of the big book as aa members call the book that is the heart and soul of the aa program. There has been a series of reprints and revisions, as well as. Alcoholics anonymous was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. The big book has gone through numerous editions and remains the most widely used resource for recovering alcoholics. Alcoholics anonymous carry the message abookman, a book. The original 1939 edition, i could read the stories that makeup the second part of the first edition.
The holy grail of aa big book collections heads to auction fine. 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. In 1939, they published this volume, which sets forth the cornerstone concepts of recovery and relates stories of those who have overcome alcoholism. Our edition reprints the first edition of 1939, which got the enterprise started. The lois wilson story portrays the story of lois and bill wilson, founders of alanon and alcoholics anonymous.
His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. The book they published in 1939 sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and describes the stories of men and women who have overcome the addiction. No writing or markings to except first blank page where previous owners name was written in pencil and erased. The seventh edition from 1945 is the rarest estimates say 500 to 1,500 copies were issued but noone. The second edition 1955 consisted of 1,150,000 copies.
The official publication date of the first printing of our big book, as noted by the united states copyright office, was april 10, 1939. Only this original 1939 edition includes all 29 stories of the programs pioneers, which share the details of their full journey, including initial recovery, sometimes followed by relapse and eventual success. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. 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. New stories have been added to the personal histories. Bob smith, who developed the organizations 12step program. First is a first edition, first printing of the big book from april 1939 in its original jacket, signed by bill wilson. Alcoholics anonymous the big book has served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. 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 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. The big book was originally published in 1939 by bill w. Detailsfourth edition 2001 of the big book, basic text of a.
The name big book is referenced only once in the forward to the second edition but it acknowledged only as a nick name. Works publishing company, april 1939, hardcover 400pp. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either. Roy scovill personally asked bob, bill and jim to sign this first edition, firsts printing copy of the big book in the early 50s. First edition big book 75th anniversary reproduction. More than 300,000 copies of the first edition are now in circulation. Many thousands have benefited from the big book and its simple but profound explanation of the doctrines behind alcoholics anonymous, which was founded in 1935 by bill wilson and dr. The big book was originally published in 1939 by aa founders bill w. The pdf book is great for phones and the ebook is perfect for tablets, laptops and desktops.
Bill wilson alcoholics anonymous 19391939 first edition. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is a 1939 basic. The big book of alcoholics anonymous is a big deal and the originals worth big bucks. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. First published in 1939, alcoholics anonymous sets forth cornerstone concepts of recovery from alcoholism and tells the stories. The firstedition, firstprint book published in 1939, is often called the big book due to the thickness of its paper.
The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism 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. It was printed on thick paper and had wide margins. There have been numerous reprints and revisions, in addition to translations into dozens of languages. This special emphasis on the 1939 first edition has a. The book belonged to roy scovil of oklahoma city ok, who got sober on december 15, 1942. A seventh printing sold for 2,750 several years ago but you are unlikely to find that printing as cheap as that again. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and. Aa big book pdf read aa books online 12 step store. 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 first edition, first printing 1939 big book.
Only 4,650 copies were printed, this book is an exceptional find, especially in the highly soughtafter original dust jacket. 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. Alcoholics anonymousthe big bookhas served as a lifeline to millions worldwide. Alcoholics anonymous first edition first printings 1939. This is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous.
In all, there were 16 printings that each have a story to tell. The original 1939 edition is a must have for anyone who has a passion for the history of alcoholics anonymous. The numbering of the 2nd reference is from the 2nd through the 4th editions. The recovery program prior to publication of the big book, there were two groups in akron and new york. Bob smith, who developed the organizations twelvestep program. The original 1939 edition of alcoholics anonymous and its. 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. Even a stamp loan copy could not legally replace the requested notice. Alcoholics anonymous 1st edition 1st printing 1939 dj aa. Big book is in very good condition with light wear to spine gold gilding strong on front and spine.
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