Alcoholics Anonymous First Edition 16th Printing from 1954 with ODJ

Alcoholics Anonymous — The Big Book (First Edition, Sixteenth Printing, August 1954)

Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Publication Year: 1954
Edition: First Edition, Sixteenth Printing
Binding: Hardcover with original dust jacket
Condition: Very Good — clean, bright cover with strong gold spine lettering; binding tight and complete; pen markings present on front pages and a few interior pages; dust jacket worn with a tear across the back cover (see photos).

Description

This is a First Edition, Sixteenth Printing (August 1954) of Alcoholics Anonymous, the “Big Book” — one of the final printings before the landmark Second Edition was released in 1955.

Only 15,700 copies of this printing were produced, making it one of the smallest and most desirable late First Edition runs. Its publication was somewhat unexpected, as the A.A. Publishing Office had already planned to introduce the new edition at the upcoming 1955 International Convention in St. Louis. However, the demand for books in 1954 was so great that this Sixteenth Printing was rushed into production to keep up with orders — a testament to A.A.’s rapid growth during the Fellowship’s second decade.

This printing represents the final chapter of the original Big Book era — the last version to carry the text as it appeared in the First Edition (1939–1954) before the Second Edition introduced major updates, including new stories and a new Foreword.

Historical Significance

Last Printing of the First Edition — closes the chapter on the original Big Book era.

Limited Print Run (15,700 copies) — among the smallest of all First Edition printings.

Bridging Two Eras — produced during the transition between early fellowship growth and A.A.’s maturing years leading up to its St. Louis Convention.

Collector Favorite — highly prized by historians and Big Book collectors for its timing, scarcity, and its place at the turning point of A.A. publishing history.

Condition

This copy remains in very good condition overall. The blue cover retains its original color and sheen; gold lettering on the spine is bright and unworn. The book is complete and tightly bound with no missing pages. There are pen markings on the front endpaper and on several interior pages. The original dust jacket is present — showing wear, edge chipping, and a torn section across the back panel, but still attractive for display and preservation.

Please review all photos for exact condition details.