A.A. GRAPEVINE from July 1947
This is the July issue of The A.A. GRAPEVINE from 1947.
This is one of the rare Large Format Grapevine issues! The first issue of the Grapevine was released in June 1944 with this Large Format and continued in this size through August 1948. The September 1948 issue of the Grapevine was reduced to the size that it is currently printed in.
The Alcoholics Anonymous Grapevine, commonly referred to as "The Grapevine," is the international journal of Alcoholics Anonymous. It plays a crucial role in the AA community by serving as a medium for sharing stories of recovery, experiences, and insights related to overcoming alcoholism.
The Grapevine was created by six AA members in the New York area — four women and two men. With the blessings of AA's co-founder Bill W., they published the first issue in June 1944, just nine years after the founding of AA. A copy of that first issue was sent to every AA group — about 300 at the time — and to all known AA members in the armed services overseas. An entire page with the heading, "Mail Call for All AAs in the Armed Forces," was devoted to letters from these members, who began calling the Grapevine their "meeting in print."
Bill Wilson was instrumental in establishing The Grapevine. He saw it as a tool to help bind the members of AA together, sharing recovery stories and insights that could reinforce the principles of the AA program across a broader audience. Bill wrote and circulated many articles through the Grapevine as way to communicate with the fellowship. He wrote on a variety of topics that he felt the fellowship needed direction on including the Twelve Traditions.
The magazine was conceived as a way to share the personal stories of sobriety and recovery that were being told at AA meetings, thereby extending the reach of the fellowship's support network. It was also seen as a tool to help maintain the unity and effectiveness of AA as it grew rapidly across the country and later around the world.
The Grapevine includes a variety of content such as personal narratives of recovery, articles on how to apply the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, news about AA activities and events, and discussions on practical issues faced by those in recovery.
It is often described as "a meeting in print," and for many members, it acts as a portable and accessible form of fellowship, especially when attending meetings is not possible.
Over the years, The Grapevine has played a significant role in outreach to those who are incarcerated or living in remote areas, offering them a vital connection to the AA community.
The Grapevine also serves as an informal historical record of the development of AA. Through its archives, readers can trace the evolution of AA's ideas and practices as well as changes in societal attitudes toward alcoholism.
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This issue of the Grapevine includes some amazing historical information:
Bill W. wrote the article; Book Publication Proved Discouraging Venture. This article was the second in a series of articles recording the history of A.A. Here is an excerpt from Bill’s article:
“During the summer of 1938 we solicited the well to-do for contributions to fill that grand new receptacle, our Alcoholic Foundation. Again we encountered a strange indifference to drunks. Nobody was interested. We didn't get a cent that I can remember. We were pretty discouraged; apparently providence had deserted us. With the modest fund from Mr. Rockefeller running out, it looked like a lean winter ahead. There could be no book, no office. What good, we complained, was an Alcoholic Foundation without money!”
Non-A.A. Group Formed in Austin:
“Fourteen wives, mothers and husbands of members of the Austin, Texas, Group, recently formed the Austin Group of Non-Alcoholics Anonymous.
Plans were made to hold a regular meeting on the first Friday of each month and discuss the A.A. program and also go over the 12 steps of N-A.A. These steps, believed by Austin members to have originated in Syracuse, N.Y., are being adopted by several auxiliary groups.
The N-A.As are planning picnics, boat rides, buffet suppers and other social events for the group. The first buffet supper at the clubhouse was such a success that some kind of get-together for each week is being conducted. All visiting A.A.s and N-A.A.s are invited to join in on these occasions.”
More articles:
-Cover story “Happy Vacation, With a Few Safeguards”
-Editorial on the 9th Step.
-One Doctor- An AA- To Another
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This Grapevine remains in overall very good condition, rust at the staples, and some edge wear. Some creases from being folded. There may be pages partially stuck together that need to be handled gently.
Please view all of the photos for the conditions.