Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, Second Printing (March 1941) - Light Blue Cloth Variant With Original Dust Jacket

Alcoholics Anonymous (Big Book) — First Edition, Second Printing (March 1941)

Light Blue Cloth Variant · Works Publishing Company · Original “Circus” Dust Jacket

Overview

Offered here is an authentic First Edition, Second Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, dated March 1941, in the sought-after light blue cloth variant—complete with its original first-edition “circus” dust jacket.

The Second Printing is one of the most historically important early Big Books. Issued at the same moment A.A. received national attention from Jack Alexander’s Saturday Evening Post article (March 1, 1941), it marks the point when the Fellowship’s growth accelerated dramatically—taking A.A. from a small, regional effort into a truly national movement.

Why the Second Printing Matters

Two years after the 1939 First Printing, A.A. had learned what worked in practice—and the book began to evolve. The Second Printing introduced some of the earliest textual changes to the Big Book, including:

• The Foreword’s opening membership statement revised to “more than two thousand men and women…”

• Step Twelve wording change on page 72 from “spiritual experience” to “spiritual awakening” (with a reference to the new appendix)

• Appendix II added (not present in the 1939 First Printing)

• The 1939-era “Lone Endeavor” story removed, replaced by the first version of the evolving membership page: “Now We Are Two Thousand”

Light Blue Variant

The March 1941 Second Printing is known in multiple cloth colors, including light blue, navy blue, and a very scarce red-cloth carryover. The light blue copies represent the “standard” blue-cloth look most associated with this printing—an iconic early-AA presentation, and a cornerstone for serious First Edition collectors.

Key Identification Points

• Copyright page lists: First Printing, April 1939 and Second Printing, March 1941

• Works Publishing Company on title page (New York City)

• Cornwall Press printer line at the bottom of the copyright page

• Blind-stamped title on front cover (no gilt on the front board for the blue-cloth variants)

• Gilt lettering to spine remains bright and legible

Condition

Book (Very Good / Excellent overall): Light blue cloth boards remain attractive and well-preserved with minor rubbing and small, scattered surface marks. Spine gilt bright; light wear at spine tips and corners consistent with age. Interior appears clean and well-kept with no writing. Notable age staining/soiling to the inside front pastedown/endpaper area, with the rest of the interior presenting very well.

Dust Jacket (Very Good): Original first-edition “circus” jacket present and complete. Shows light edge wear, small chips/short tears at the extremities, and mild soiling consistent with careful handling over eight decades. Spine panel and front panel remain highly displayable.

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

Collector Notes

A First Edition Second Printing Big Book is a cornerstone piece of early A.A. history—issued at the precise moment the Fellowship entered national awareness. In light blue cloth with an original jacket, this is a strong, display-ready example of one of the most important early printings of the Big Book.