Two Books Signed by Bill Wilson - AA Comes of Age - Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions

This is a unique package of two books inscribed by AA cofounder Bill Wilson to Katherine and Carroll Aikins.

The two books are a second printing of The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and a first printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age.

These books have been handed down for the past 60 years through the family of Carroll Aikins. Carroll was a gentleman orchardist in British Columbia, Canada, as well as a noted Canadian playwright in the 1920s and 1930s.

Like many Canadians he spent winters in the Southern US and Mexico, notably near Nogales, AZ. It is there or on another of his trips South (possibly Oaxaca, Mexico), that he met and befriended Wilson. It is not believed that Carroll was a member of AA.(Bill would typically sign with his full name when he inscribed books to non-alcoholics like he did on these two books)

This article tells more of Carroll’s story: https://journals.lib.unb.ca/index.php/tric/article/view/7407/8466.

Second Printing Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions:

The inscription reads: “To Katherine & Carroll, This, in gratitude for your friendship. Ever Bill Wilson. NY | 4/30/57”

This book is a Second Printing 12 & 12 that was published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.

The 2nd and 3rd Printing 12 & 12’s are almost identical with no labels on the copyright page identifying the printing or what year they are from. There is a way to identify which printing it is; You can verify this as a 2nd printing by checking the last line of text at the bottom of page 18: “Grand Central Terminal Annex, New York City, U.S.A.” - This text is different on a 3rd Printing.

The book is in excellent condition with very little wear. There is some fading to the color of the book cover. The inscription is on the first page of the book. There is no other writing or markings inside the book. This book contains the original dust jacket that is in great condition. The jacket does have some light edge wear and fading.

First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age:

The inscription reads: “Dear Carroll, This in memory of our cherished friendship. Ever Bill Wilson. NY | Sept. 9/57”

This book is the Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age First Printing published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. in 1957.

This book is in excellent condition. There is very little wear to this book. The inscription is on the first page of the book. There is no other writing or markings inside the book. This book has the original dust jacket. The jacket has experienced edge wear and tears. There is a tear across the back flap and back cover.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.