Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions — First Edition, Second Printing (1960) - Published by Harper & Brothers

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions — First Edition, Second Printing (1960)

Published by Harper & Brothers — February 1960 (“B-K” Printing Code)
Extremely Scarce Harper & Brothers Issue

This offering is an exceptionally rare First Edition, Second Printing of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, issued by Harper & Brothers in February 1960 through a special arrangement with Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. While the more familiar AA Publishing printings were distributed directly to AA groups and Intergroups, the Harper editions were intended for the commercial book trade—bookstores, libraries, and mainstream readers. As a result, far fewer were printed, and even fewer survived in collectible condition.

This Second Printing is identifiable by the “B-K” code on the copyright page, confirming its February 1960 release. It retains the classic green-and-black striped dust jacket, with white flaps and the historically significant Lasker Award citation printed on the back panel—an endorsement that helped firmly establish AA’s credibility within the medical community.

Unlike the First Printing Harper edition (which featured a white-and-black binding), the Second Printing was produced with an entirely black hardcover binding stamped in silver. This distinguishing feature is unique to the 1960 run and is among the reasons collectors seek out this scarce variant.

Inside, the title page notes publication by Harper & Brothers, New York, “by arrangement with Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.,” reflecting the cooperative effort to bring Bill W.’s essays on the Steps and Traditions to a wider audience at the dawn of AA’s growth and international expansion.

This copy is in excellent condition, far above what is typically seen for this printing. The original dust jacket is present—an uncommon survival—showing only moderate edge wear. The book itself is clean and well-preserved with no writing, markings, or intrusive flaws, making it one of the stronger examples available of this notoriously hard-to-find edition.

Historical Importance

The Harper editions played a vital role in expanding AA’s reach in the 1950s and 1960s, placing foundational AA texts onto bookstore shelves nationwide. The Second Printing, however, was released in comparatively tiny numbers—many fewer than the First Printing—and genuine examples rarely appear on the market. Today, they represent a critical link between AA’s internal literature distribution and its emergence into mainstream publishing.

Condition

Original 1960 Harper & Brothers dust jacket, green and black with Lasker Award panel. Dust jacket shows general edge wear, but remains complete and bright. Black hardcover binding with silver lettering—exclusive to the Second Printing. Clean interior, no writing or markings. Very well-preserved for its age; structurally sound and crisp. A beautiful example of an extremely hard-to-find AA publishing variant.

A Premium Collectible

Because of its scarcity, historical significance, and the survival of the original Harper jacket, this Second Printing stands as a desirable acquisition for serious collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous literature, recovery history archives, or anyone committed to preserving the legacy of the fellowship’s early publications.