The Jim Willis & Early Gamblers Anonymous Archive
Preserving the Origins of Gamblers Anonymous
Preserved through the family papers of Jim Willis’s stepdaughter, Addie Williams, this archive traces the emergence of Gamblers Anonymous through founder-associated books, manuscripts, correspondence, early literature, service records, and contemporary press coverage.
Highlights include a 1964 G.A. first printing inscribed by Jim, messages from A.A. General Service Office staff, and his detailed account of the fellowship’s beginnings.
Offered intact for institutional or private acquisition.
From A.A. to G.A.
Alcoholicos Anonimos — Versión Castellana · December 1961
This bound Spanish-language A.A. typescript carries personal inscriptions to Jim Willis from several General Service Office staff members, including Nell Wing. Their messages acknowledge and encourage his work with Gamblers Anonymous.
Jim’s experience in A.A. helped him consider how fellowship and recovery principles might address compulsive gambling. These inscriptions preserve a direct connection between the people serving A.A. and the emerging G.A. fellowship.
The archive also retains a family copy of Bill Wilson’s August 25, 1964 letter praising the newly produced G.A. book.
The First Gamblers Anonymous Book
Gamblers Anonymous · First Edition / First Printing, 1964
Produced in a simple typewritten and stapled format with a blue paper cover, this first substantial G.A. book records an early stage in the fellowship’s development of its own recovery literature.
Jim Willis personally inscribed this copy to his stepdaughter, Addie Williams. That inscription connects the publication directly to G.A.’s founder and to the family that preserved this archive.
The book also provides context for Bill Wilson’s retained letter praising the volume and reflecting on the experience of producing A.A.’s own book.
Preserving the Founding Story
Gamblers Anonymous — Identification and Recovery — From: Jim W.
Developed from Jim Willis’s recollections and correspondence, this historical typescript documents the experiments, setbacks, and personal contacts that preceded G.A.’s recognized founding on September 13, 1957.
Its account includes the Algamus Society, early apartment-house meetings, Fred Shields, Paul Coates, and the emergence of the name Gamblers Anonymous. It also acknowledges Sybil Willis’s support during the fellowship’s formative period.
The manuscript gives researchers a detailed account of how the fellowship took shape, preserving the people and events behind its founding.
Recognition of a Founder
G.A. Award of Appreciation and Love · 1982
Presented to Jim Willis at G.A.’s 25th Anniversary Convention in Anaheim, this award identifies him as the founder of Gamblers Anonymous and records the fellowship’s founding date: September 13, 1957.
The plaque brings the archive’s story forward from early organizing efforts to the fellowship’s recognition of his contribution twenty-five years later.
Related material includes Ray M.’s 1980 statement, “Lest We Forget,” urging members to remember Jim’s role as the anniversary approached.
Inside the Archive
Selected highlights and major categories. A detailed Master Inventory & Descriptive Catalog is available upon request.
Founder-Associated Books
December 1961 Spanish-language A.A. typescript
inscribed to Jim; 1964 G.A. first printing
inscribed by Jim to Addie
Historical Manuscripts
Identification and Recovery,
developed from Jim Willis’s recollections
and correspondence
Correspondence & Family Papers
Family-retained copy of Bill Wilson’s
August 25, 1964 letter; correspondence
associated with Jim Burwell
Early G.A. & Gam-Anon Literature
Questions and Answers,
First Printing, June 1962;
pamphlets and later publications
Service & Organizational Records
Retained 1958 Membership Committee record;
service bulletins; 1981 correspondence
concerning the G.A. recovery steps
Convention Material
Fourth Annual Convention program, June 1962;
Gamblers Anonymous — 20 Years, 1977
Press & Publicity
Coverage in TIME,
The Saturday Evening Post,
newspapers, and other media
Founder Recognition
Ray M.’s Lest We Forget, 1980;
Jim Willis’s original 1982 anniversary award
Available for Institutional or Private Acquisition
The Jim Willis & Early Gamblers Anonymous Archive is offered as one intact historical collection.
Its connected books, manuscripts, correspondence, and family papers offer a foundation for a museum, special-collections library, recovery-history archive, or private collection.
Contact Tim Fitzpatrick to request the Master Inventory & Descriptive Catalog, additional photographs, and research documentation, or to discuss pricing and acquisition.
Please mention “The Jim Willis Archive” in your inquiry.