Exceptionally Rare 1949 Dr. Bob Handwritten Letter

Exceptionally Rare 1949 Dr. Bob Handwritten Letter

To Detroit A.A. Pioneer Sarah J. Klein
With Original Envelope, JSA Authentication & Historical Presentation Materials

Description

Offered here is an extraordinarily scarce and meaningful artifact from early Alcoholics Anonymous history: an original handwritten letter from Dr. Robert Holbrook “Dr. Bob” Smith, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, dated April 19, 1949, written personally to Mrs. Sarah “Sadie” J. Klein of Detroit, Michigan.

This is a deeply significant piece of A.A. history, not only because handwritten material from Dr. Bob is exceptionally rare, but because of who he was writing to. Sarah J. Klein played an important role in the early development of Alcoholics Anonymous in Detroit, helping support and steady the young Fellowship during its earliest years in that city.

This offering includes the original handwritten letter, the original Akron postmarked envelope addressed to Sarah Klein, a JSA Letter of Authenticity, historical photographs, and a copy of The Healing Light, the spiritual book title referenced in the letter.

Historical Significance

Few outside specialized A.A. history circles know the important role Sarah J. Klein played in the founding and survival of Alcoholics Anonymous in Detroit.

When Archie Trowbridge — often remembered as Detroit A.A. #1 — began carrying the message in the late 1930s, he was newly sober and largely alone in the effort. Sarah Klein, a nonalcoholic, stepped forward to help provide support, structure, hospitality, and steadiness.

Her home became an early unofficial center of A.A. activity in Detroit, complete with telephone lines for incoming calls from suffering alcoholics. She helped receive visitors, coordinate correspondence, encourage meetings, and support the fragile beginnings of the Fellowship in the city. Many early Detroit members later recognized that without Sarah’s help, A.A. in Detroit may have struggled to take root.

Her service and spiritual grounding brought her into personal friendship and correspondence with major early A.A. figures, including Dr. Bob, Bill W., and Anne Smith. This letter is a powerful surviving example of that relationship.

About This Letter

Written during the final year of Dr. Bob’s life, this April 19, 1949 letter expresses warm appreciation for a spiritual book Sarah had sent him.

Dr. Bob writes that the book was “certainly most kind and thoughtful” of her to send and says he is enjoying the reading “highly especially.” He notes that the material may be very helpful and expresses hope that his understanding and faith may prove sufficient.

In the letter, Dr. Bob also reflects with humility on spiritual teaching, perseverance, application, and the need for continued guidance and persistence. The tone is personal, grateful, and spiritually sincere — very much in keeping with the warmth and humility so often associated with Dr. Bob by early A.A. members.

The letter is written on Dr. Bob’s professional letterhead:

Dr. R. H. Smith
Surgeon
810 Second National Building
Akron 8, Ohio

The original envelope is addressed by hand to:

Mrs. Sara J. Klein
202 Longwood Pl.
Detroit 3, Mich.

It bears an Akron, Ohio postmark dated April 20, 1949.

Included in This Offering

This historical grouping includes:

Original handwritten letter from Dr. Bob to Sarah J. Klein, dated April 19, 1949
Original envelope addressed to Sarah Klein with April 20, 1949 Akron postmark
JSA Letter of Authenticity, Certification No. ZZ35395
Framed photographic portrait of Dr. Bob
Framed photograph of Sarah Klein holding a First Edition A.A. Big Book

Why This Piece Matters

This is far more than a signed document. It is a direct personal connection between A.A.’s cofounder and one of the nonalcoholic supporters who helped early A.A. take root in Detroit.

The letter reflects several important themes in early A.A. history:

Dr. Bob’s personal spiritual life and reading
The friendship between early A.A. leaders and nonalcoholic helpers
The spread of A.A. from Akron into Detroit
The importance of women and nonalcoholic supporters in early Fellowship growth
The private correspondence network that helped support A.A. during its formative years

Because Dr. Bob passed away in November 1950, this 1949 letter comes from the final chapter of his life and service.

Condition

The handwritten letter is in very good condition for its age. The ink remains clear and legible, with no loss of content. The page shows expected fold lines, light toning, and natural handling wear consistent with original 1940s correspondence.

The original envelope is present and bears the April 20, 1949 Akron postmark. The envelope shows age wear, toning, handling marks, and tearing at the flap/opening area, but remains intact and historically important.

The included photographs and presentation materials are clean and display well. The JSA Letter of Authenticity is present and suitable for archival storage or framing.

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

Collector’s Note

Authentic handwritten material from Dr. Bob is extraordinarily scarce on the open market. Letters with this level of provenance — written to a documented early A.A. supporter connected to the founding of A.A. in Detroit — are rarer still.

This piece carries exceptional historical weight. It connects Dr. Bob, Sarah Klein, early Detroit A.A., spiritual reading, and the personal correspondence that helped bind the early Fellowship together.

A truly remarkable artifact for an A.A. history collection, institutional archive, museum display, or dedicated steward of recovery history.