Original Works Publishing Stock Certificate - The Alcoholic Foundation

This is an Extremely Rare Works Publishing Stock Certificate made out to “The Alcoholic Foundation”. There are only 2 other originals known that still exist! 

Works Publishing, Inc. was formed by Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst as a way to publish the First Printing of the book Alcoholics Anonymous. At the time AA did not have the money to finance the book and developed the idea to sell shares of Works Publishing, Inc. as a way to raise the finances needed for the book. These stock certificates were actually issued to investors over a year after the publication of the book.

This certificate was issued to “The Alcoholic Foundation” for five shares of Works Publishing, Inc. with a par value of $25.

There is documentation for all of the people that were issued shares of the Works Publishing Stock. Shares were purchased by many people and also issued to several people for “Services Rendered”. This particular stock certificate was issued to “The Alcoholic Foundation” which seems strange but upon further research it was discovered that Five Shares of Works Publishing Stock were purchased by L. Berkowitz from New York City and then donated his shares to “The Alcoholic Foundation”.

The stock certificates that were issued in 1940 were eventually purchased back by The Alcoholic Foundation from the individual shareholders in April 1942. On the backside of the stock certificates is documentation of the Foundation purchasing these stocks back.

This particular stock certificate was owned by the Alcoholic Foundation so there was no need to purchase the stock back meaning there is no documentation on the backside. There is however just one note written in pencil which is the name “Berkowitz”. 

This certificate is in excellent condition with no wear.

Please view all of the photos for conditions.