Bill Wilson’s Letter to Ed — February 26, 1957
HISTORIC COLLECTIONS / THE MAYFLOWER COLLECTION
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Bill Wilson’s Letter to Ed — February 26, 1957
Bill Wilson on memory, historical accuracy, and the recovery of an early Akron prospect.
February 26, 1957
The object and its history
Writing on W. G. W. stationery with the Box 459, Grand Central Annex address, Wilson opens “Dear Ed” and thanks his correspondent for responding to the new book, A.A. Comes of Age. He explains that he had dictated the account largely from memory. Although he considers its broad outline sound, he acknowledges corrections and omissions and expresses particular gratitude for Eddie’s comments on “what the facts really were.”
This is the letter’s central importance: it records A.A.’s co-founder confronting the limits of his own recollection while the Fellowship’s early history was being prepared for publication. Wilson promises to try to bring the account more closely into line with the events that concerned Eddie, while explaining the constraints of a volume of this size and purpose. The exchange gives a reader something a finished book cannot—the author’s own account of the history being revised.
The letter also turns from editorial matters to recovery and friendship. Wilson writes that Eddie’s comeback inspires him and recalls seeing him again at Dr. Bob’s. He invites a New York visit, explains how to get past the office’s protective arrangements, and names his secretary, Nell Wing, as someone who knows Eddie. The final paragraph offers a personal telephone contact and a characteristically informal invitation to call collect.
Mike’s accompanying description identifies the recipient as Eddie Reilly, one of the early Akron men whom Bill and Dr. Bob attempted to help. That identification comes from the collection documentation; the letter itself addresses him as Ed. The photographed presentation pairs the signed letter with a portrait of Wilson.
In the original words
Read the letter
W. G. W.
BOX 459 GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX
NEW YORK 17, N. Y.
February 26, 1957
Dear Ed,
I was deeply affected by your words about the new book, “A.A. Comes of Age” and all memories that it evoked and made clear. As you probably can see, I did this document by dictation and mostly off the top of my head. Though the basic line of it is okay there are innumerable corrections and omissions which ought to be caught up. So, therefore, I am especially thankful to have your comments on what the facts really were.
Unfortunately, in a volume of this size and purpose, a pretty sharp limit has to be set on what goes in. But with the facts you sent me, I will try to adjust the thing more in line with the actual events that pertain to you. And I hope you will like whatever change in emphasis it is possible to make. You can depend upon me to do my best.
You must know, Ed, how much your comeback inspires me. I’ll never forget the day, after all those years, that I saw you at Dr. Bob’s.
Next time you come to New York, tell the people at the office that you are calling at my personal request. As you may be sure I have to put a fence around myself. The girls in the office react the way they do on this account and additionally because any number of A.A.’s come through with all sorts of tall stories. But if you tell them I personally wrote you and asked you, there won’t be any difficulty. You might ask for my secretary, Nell Wing. She knows exactly who you are.
Looking now at the date of your letter, I expect you have come and gone, again. I had to go to the West Coast to look after a full length television show now is in preparation to be produced by NBC in the fall.
When you next think of coming down, give me a little advance notice and I will try to make a firm date. Please use my telephone number here at the house – Katonah 4-1422. Make the call collect as I don’t pay the bill anymore!
Affectionately yours,
[Signed] Bill
Bill
WGW/nw
BOX 459 GRAND CENTRAL ANNEX
NEW YORK 17, N. Y.
February 26, 1957
Dear Ed,
I was deeply affected by your words about the new book, “A.A. Comes of Age” and all memories that it evoked and made clear. As you probably can see, I did this document by dictation and mostly off the top of my head. Though the basic line of it is okay there are innumerable corrections and omissions which ought to be caught up. So, therefore, I am especially thankful to have your comments on what the facts really were.
Unfortunately, in a volume of this size and purpose, a pretty sharp limit has to be set on what goes in. But with the facts you sent me, I will try to adjust the thing more in line with the actual events that pertain to you. And I hope you will like whatever change in emphasis it is possible to make. You can depend upon me to do my best.
You must know, Ed, how much your comeback inspires me. I’ll never forget the day, after all those years, that I saw you at Dr. Bob’s.
Next time you come to New York, tell the people at the office that you are calling at my personal request. As you may be sure I have to put a fence around myself. The girls in the office react the way they do on this account and additionally because any number of A.A.’s come through with all sorts of tall stories. But if you tell them I personally wrote you and asked you, there won’t be any difficulty. You might ask for my secretary, Nell Wing. She knows exactly who you are.
Looking now at the date of your letter, I expect you have come and gone, again. I had to go to the West Coast to look after a full length television show now is in preparation to be produced by NBC in the fall.
When you next think of coming down, give me a little advance notice and I will try to make a firm date. Please use my telephone number here at the house – Katonah 4-1422. Make the call collect as I don’t pay the bill anymore!
Affectionately yours,
[Signed] Bill
Bill
WGW/nw
Reading transcription; compare with the photographed document. Line breaks and punctuation may be normalized.
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