The Little Red Book: An Interpretation Of The Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program - 1950
The Little Red Book
An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program
1950 Coll-Webb Company Printing
Early AA Interpretive Literature | Minneapolis Origin
This is an original 1950 printing of The Little Red Book: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program, published by Coll-Webb Company of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Little Red Book is one of the earliest and most influential supplemental interpretations of the Twelve Steps, widely used in AA meetings during the fellowship’s formative years.
Written by Ed Webster, who achieved sobriety in Minneapolis in 1941, this book reflects early Midwest AA thinking and practical step work. Webster, along with Barry Collins, formed Coll-Webb Company to publish and distribute AA-related literature directly to members long before centralized publishing was fully established. Coll-Webb continued distributing recovery literature until Webster’s death in 1971.
This title was frequently used as a study guide alongside the Big Book and remains a cornerstone of early AA interpretive material.
Book Details
Title: The Little Red Book
Subtitle: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program
Author: Ed Webster
Publisher: Coll-Webb Company
Place of Publication: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Year: 1950
Binding: Hardcover (no dust jacket, as issued)
Historical Significance
One of the earliest Twelve Step interpretation guides used in AA. Written by an early Minneapolis AA member (sober 1941). Published independently by Coll-Webb Company for direct AA distribution. Widely used in meetings and step studies during AA’s expansion years. Represents grassroots AA literature outside of official AA publishing.
For collectors of early AA history, The Little Red Book is an essential companion piece to the Big Book, reflecting how members studied and practiced the Steps in the fellowship’s early decades.
Condition
Excellent overall condition. Tight binding, fully intact. Clean text pages throughout. Cover shows minimal wear and presents very well. Handwriting present on the first blank page only. No other writing, highlighting, or markings.
Please review all photos carefully to assess exact condition.
