A.A. Tradition “Our experience has taught us…” - 1947 Early AA Traditions Pamphlet

A.A. Tradition

“Our experience has taught us…”

Works Publishing, Inc. · Copyright 1947

Early A.A. Traditions Pamphlet / Bill W. Grapevine Essays

Description

Offered here is an early A.A. pamphlet titled A.A. Tradition — “Our experience has taught us…”, published by Works Publishing, Inc. in 1947 with permission of A.A. Grapevine, Inc.

This important 48-page pamphlet collects a series of writings by A.A. co-founder Bill W. on the principles that would become known as the Twelve Traditions. Before the Traditions were formally adopted and widely understood throughout the Fellowship, Bill used the A.A. Grapevine to explain why A.A. needed guiding principles to preserve its unity, avoid outside entanglements, protect anonymity, and keep the Fellowship focused on its primary purpose.

The cover bears the simple but powerful title:

A.A. Tradition
“Our experience has taught us…”

This phrase captures the heart of the pamphlet. The Traditions were not handed down as theory—they grew out of experience, trial and error, group problems, public relations questions, money concerns, anonymity issues, and the practical challenges of a fast-growing Fellowship.

Historical Significance

During A.A.’s early years, the Fellowship was expanding quickly, and with growth came new problems. Groups faced questions about membership, money, clubs, hospitals, public recognition, outside affiliations, incorporation, and leadership. These issues raised a central question: how could A.A. preserve its unity while continuing to grow?

Bill W.’s answer developed through correspondence with groups and through a series of Grapevine articles beginning in the mid-1940s. Those writings helped shape what he first called the “Twelve Points to Assure Our Future,” the foundation of A.A.’s Second Legacy: Unity.

This pamphlet preserves that formative stage of A.A. history—when the Traditions were still being explained, discussed, and gradually accepted by the Fellowship.

Contents Include

This pamphlet includes chapters and essays on:

Foreword
Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition: Twelve Points to Assure Our Future
Who Is a Member of Alcoholics Anonymous?
Anonymity
Money
Adequate Hospitalization — One Great Need
Clubs in A.A. — Are They With Us to Stay?
Dangers in Linking A.A. to Other Projects
Will A.A. Ever Have a Personal Government?
Incorporations: Their Uses and Misuses
A.A. General Service Center
The Alcoholic Foundation
The A.A. General Service Office
The A.A. Grapevine
Why Can’t We Join A.A. Too!

The result is a fascinating early look at the problems A.A. faced and the principles Bill W. believed would protect the Fellowship from the dangers of money, prestige, controversy, authority, and outside affiliation.

From the Foreword

The Foreword begins with one of the central concerns of early A.A.:

“How shall we AA’s best preserve our unity? That is the subject of this booklet.”

Bill then draws a direct comparison between individual recovery and group unity. Just as the Twelve Steps help restore the alcoholic to wholeness, the Traditions were meant to help preserve the unity and spiritual integrity of A.A. as a whole.

This makes the pamphlet especially meaningful for collectors interested in the development of A.A.’s service structure, spiritual principles, and group conscience.

Edition Details

Title: A.A. Tradition — “Our experience has taught us…”
Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc.
Address: P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N.Y.
Permission: A.A. Grapevine, Inc.
Copyright: 1947
Format: Stapled pamphlet
Length: 48 pages including covers
Price printed inside: Ten cents

Condition

This pamphlet is in good condition with general age-related wear.

The cover shows toning, handling wear, and light staining consistent with age. Interior pages are clean, readable, and intact, with normal paper toning. Stapled binding remains present and the pamphlet is complete.

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

Collector’s Note

A meaningful and important early A.A. pamphlet documenting the development of the Twelve Traditions before they became fully established in the Fellowship. This is a strong addition for collectors of Bill W. writings, early Works Publishing material, A.A. Grapevine history, and the evolution of A.A.’s Second Legacy of Unity.