Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, Second Printing (March 1941) - Navy Blue Cloth Variant With Original Dust Jacket

Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) — First Edition, Second Printing (March 1941)

Navy Blue Cloth Variant · Works Publishing Company · With Original “Circus” Dust Jacket

Overview

Offered here is an authentic First Edition, Second Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, dated March 1941, in the desirable navy blue cloth variant—complete with its original first-edition “circus” dust jacket.

The Second Printing is one of the most important early Big Books. It appeared at the exact moment A.A. stepped into the national spotlight through Jack Alexander’s Saturday Evening Post article (March 1, 1941)—a turning point that helped propel the Fellowship from roughly 2,000 members to more than 8,000 within the following year.

Why the Second Printing Matters

By 1941, A.A. had two full years of experience using the Big Book in the real world. The result: early, meaningful refinements began immediately—making the Second Printing the first major “transition” text between the original 1939 book and what the Fellowship would continue to shape in later printings.

Key updates associated with the Second Printing include:

• Foreword membership figure revised to “more than two thousand men and women…”

• Step Twelve wording change on page 72 from “spiritual experience” to “spiritual awakening” (with a reference to the new appendix)

• Appendix II added (not present in the 1939 First Printing)

• The 1939-era “Lone Endeavor” story removed and replaced with the first version of the evolving membership page: “Now We Are Two Thousand”

• The well-known misprinted line on page 234 from the First Printing corrected/removed in subsequent printings

Navy Blue Cloth Variant

The March 1941 Second Printing is known in three cloth colors: light blue, navy blue, and a very scarce red-cloth carryover. The navy blue variant is especially appealing for display—deep, rich cloth with the classic early Big Book look, and (on the blue-cloth variants) the title appears as blind-stamping on the front cover rather than gilt.

Key Identification Points

• Copyright page lists: First Printing, April 1939 and Second Printing, March 1941

• Works Publishing Company on title page (New York City)

• Printed by Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.

• Blind-stamped title on front board (blue-cloth variants)

• Gilt spine lettering present and bright

Condition

Book (Near Mint): Navy blue cloth boards present exceptionally well with no noticeable wear. Spine gilt bright and crisp. Interior pages clean and fresh with no writing, notes, or markings observed. Binding tight and square.

Dust Jacket (Excellent): Original first-edition “circus” dust jacket present and complete. Only light edge wear and minor age toning/soiling consistent with careful storage. Overall a very strong, highly displayable jacket.

Please review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Collector Notes

A First Edition Second Printing is a cornerstone Big Book—issued at the moment A.A. entered national awareness and began refining its message in print. Examples in navy blue cloth with an original jacket, especially in this level of preservation, are increasingly difficult to find.