Alcoholics Anonymous — 50th Anniversary Reprint (1985)

Exact Facsimile of the 1939 First Edition
Numbered Copy: 000179
Published by Carry the Message, Inc., Akron, Ohio

Extremely Early Number — #000179

This is a scarce and highly collectible low-numbered copy of the very first reprint ever produced after the original 1939 Big Book entered the public domain. Issued in 1985 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous, this reproduction became a milestone publication in AA history.

Book Details

Title: Alcoholics Anonymous — 50th Anniversary Reprint

Publisher: Carry the Message, Inc., Akron, Ohio

Year: 1985

Edition: First reprint of the 1939 text after copyright lapse

Numbered Copy: 000179

Binding: Deep blue hardcover with original dust jacket

Condition: Book Very Good / Dust Jacket Good

Description

This reprint is a page-for-page, line-for-line exact reproduction of the original 1939 First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, right down to layout, font, and pagination. Produced in Akron—the birthplace of AA—this edition marked the first time the Big Book had been faithfully recreated for distribution since the original copyright expired.

Its release in 1985 generated significant attention within the AA community. Some old-timers viewed it as controversial, concerned about unauthorized reprints of the fellowship's foundational text—but as the story goes, nearly all of them purchased a copy anyway. Today, these early numbered copies are treasured by AA historians, archivists, and collectors.

From the Original 50th Anniversary Introduction (excerpt)

“For several years many of us in Alcoholics Anonymous have been concerned with the insidious gradual eroding away from our original, primary purpose of carrying the message…

With the intention to reawaken and reaffirm this purpose… there could be no more fitting occasion to reprint the original Big Book than the 50th Anniversary of the founding of A.A.”

The introduction emphasizes that this reprint was created to inspire a renewed commitment to AA’s founding mission: carrying the message to the still-suffering alcoholic. A portion of proceeds from these books supported the Akron Area Intergroup Office.

Condition

Book – Very Good: Clean and solid with minimal wear. No writing or markings inside. Tight binding and clean pages.

Dust Jacket – Good: Original to this 1985 reprint. Exhibits edge wear and some staining, consistent with age. Intact and complete.

Please see all provided photos for exact condition details.