Rare 1947 Alcoholics Anonymous (1st Ed., 11th Printing) – Ed Webster and Nicollet Group Inscribed
Rare 1947 Alcoholics Anonymous (1st Ed., 11th Printing) – Ed Webster and Nicollet Group Inscribed
An exceptional eleventh printing (June 1947) Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, inscribed in 1948 by the pioneering members of Minnesota’s Nicollet Group to “Gunner and Ada.” This rare volume boasts its original dust jacket, very good condition, and historical signatures throughout – a one-of-a-kind piece linking directly to AA’s early heartland history.
The Nicollet Group: Early AA History in Minnesota
Alcoholics Anonymous took root in Minneapolis in 1940, and by 1944 the first offshoot from the original “2218” Minneapolis group was formed under the leadership of Barry L. and Ed Webster – known as the Nicollet Group. This group quickly became a cornerstone of AA’s growth in the Upper Midwest. Ed Webster, a WWII-era AA visionary, began teaching intensive “Twelve Step Study” classes to newcomers in Minneapolis in 1942. The results were astounding – by 1946, AA’s Grapevine reported 75% of the Nicollet Group’s members achieved sobriety, a success largely credited to Ed’s educational approach . Webster (who got sober in 1941) and his colleague Barry Collins later distilled these lessons into “The Little Red Book,” an influential 1946 AA study guide sponsored by the Nicollet Group and endorsed by AA co-founders (Dr. Bob assisted with it, and Bill W. praised its usefulness). In short, the Nicollet Group was hugely significant in AA history – an early example of structured recovery education within the fellowship, and a model of success and service. Notably, co-founder Dr. Bob and his wife Anne even visited the Nicollet Group in 1946, evidence of the group’s renown in AA’s formative years .
The Nicolet Club and AA’s Expansion in Minnesota:
Often meeting at the Nicollet Club in Minneapolis, this group provided a gathering place and launching pad for AA’s regional expansion. The club was “one of the earliest groups in Minneapolis” and instituted a practice of special beginners’ meetings where newcomers learned AA’s principles before joining the main group. This forward-thinking method (emphasizing clear, simple study of the Twelve Steps) was directly responsible for the development of Ed Webster’s Little Red Book at the Nicollet Club. The Nicollet Group’s influence spread far beyond its walls: members traveled to help start new AA groups in neighboring states. For example, in March 1946 Nicollet members (including Barry C.) went to Sioux Falls, SD to jump-start AA there – within months the Sioux Falls group was thriving with their help. By the end of 1946, AA had spread to over 120 towns across Minnesota, due in large part to the sponsorship and outreach of Minneapolis groups like Nicollet. The Nicollet Club became a hub of fellowship and recovery in the Twin Cities, embodying AA’s Twelfth Step spirit of service. Owning a book from this group is like holding a piece of that early Midwest AA movement – a tangible connection to the “fountainhead” of AA’s growth in the region .
About the Book – First Edition, 11th Printing (1947):
This book is a First Edition, Eleventh Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, printed in 1947 by Works Publishing Inc. It retains the original yellow and red dust jacket, a sought-after feature among collectors. The volume is in good condition for its age. The blue cloth cover shows some wear and stains. The binding is firm and the book is complete, with no missing pages. All text pages are intact, clean, and legible, with only light toning. The dust jacket shows normal wear expected of a 75-year-old survivor – some chipping and small tears around the edges and spine, but no large missing pieces. The jacket’s colors are still vivid, and it is now protected in a removable mylar cover. (It’s rare to find an eleventh printing with its original jacket – most were discarded or damaged over the decades – making this copy even more special.) In short, the book presents wonderfully: fully intact, very readable, and well-preserved, with all the character of an early AA printing. It would proudly display in any collection.
Historic Inscriptions by Nicollet Group Members
What truly sets this copy apart is the remarkable set of inscriptions throughout the book. In 1948, a circle of Nicollet Group members signed and inscribed this book to “Gunner and Ada” – presumably as a gift commemorating fellowship or a significant milestone. The signers’ names read like a “Who’s Who” of early Minneapolis AA. They include: Len, Walt, Jim Fischer, Les Burns, Cliff Jordan, “Doc” Ted Haber, Ed Webster, and many more. Each individual was a prominent member of the Nicollet Group, active in the late 1940s when AA was still new in Minnesota.
Having Ed Webster’s signature in this book is especially noteworthy – as a founding Nicollet member and author of The Little Red Book, Ed was an influential figure in AA’s first decade. His autograph (dated 1948) is a direct link to the man who helped shape AA’s program in Minnesota and whose work was praised by Dr. Bob and Bill W.
Together, these inscriptions turn the book into a treasure trove of provenance. They humanize the artifact – you can imagine the members of the Nicollet Group gathered with Gunner and Ada, signing their names and adding encouraging notes. (Indeed, the book contains brief handwritten messages of hope and congratulations along with the signatures, reflecting the gratitude and camaraderie of that era.) Such an association copy – a Big Book passed hand-to-hand among AA’s earliest members – is extraordinarily rare. It offers a snapshot of AA fellowship in 1948: a time when there were only a few thousand members nationwide. For historians, these inscriptions are gold, corroborating who was present and active in the Minneapolis sober community at that time. For AA members, it’s deeply moving to see that first generation personally welcoming others to sobriety. This is not just a book; it’s a relic of AA heritage, inscribed by the very people who lived the program when the ink on the Big Book was barely dry.
A One-of-a-Kind Collectible:
When considering the value of this piece, it’s important to recognize how sought-after early AA printings and memorabilia have become. First edition Big Books (1939–1954 printings) are the cornerstone of any AA collection. Even un-inscribed copies can command significant prices – for example, a first edition, first printing (1939) in good shape is currently offered at $8,500, and later 1940s printings with dust jackets often sell around $1,000+. The historical cachet of signatures multiplies the value. Autographs of AA founders and pioneers are exceedingly rare and valuable.
Condition: Very Good (book and jacket). Inscriptions: Dated 1948, Nicollet Group members’ signatures on interior pages. Provenance: Nicollet AA Group (Minneapolis) – inscribed to Gunner & Ada.
