1949 Printing of The Little Red Book

The Little Red Book

An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program

1949 Printing — Corrected Text Edition
Coll-Webb Company · Minneapolis, Minnesota

This is a 1949 printing of The Little Red Book, one of the most influential and historically important works in early Alcoholics Anonymous literature. This copy represents the corrected 1949 printing, issued after a known printing error affected some copies released the same year.

Historical Background

First published in 1946, An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program was, aside from the AA Big Book, the first and only other book available that focused exclusively on the AA program. Its clarity, accessibility, and practical guidance led to widespread adoption within early AA groups and earned it the enduring nickname “The Little Red Book.”

The book became especially popular throughout the Midwest—particularly among Ohio AA members—and played a key role in shaping how the Twelve Steps were taught and studied in the fellowship’s formative years.

1949 Printing Error & Identification

In 1949, Coll-Webb encountered a significant printing issue:

• Page 62 was printed with two lines of text upside down in some copies

• Coll-Webb addressed this by:

  • Removing the faulty page and inserting a corrected replacement in some books

  • Releasing a new 1949 printing with the error fully corrected

This copy is from the properly printed 1949 edition, with no page 62 error and no inserted replacement leaf—making it the cleaner and more desirable version for many collectors.

About the Author

The book was written by Ed Webster, who achieved sobriety in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941. Along with Barry Collins, Webster formed Coll-Webb Company, which became a key distributor of early AA literature.

While AA folklore sometimes attributes involvement to Dr. Bob Smith, no contemporary evidence supports this. What is documented is correspondence between Ed Webster and Bill W. during the period the book was written. Notably, the third copy off the press was inscribed by Webster to Bobbie Burger, AA’s secretary and Bill W.’s assistant—underscoring its close connection to AA’s earliest leadership.

The success of The Little Red Book in the 1940s and early 1950s directly influenced Bill Wilson’s decision to write Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, published in 1953.

Book Details

Title: The Little Red Book

Original Title: An Interpretation of the Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program

Author: Ed Webster

Publisher: Coll-Webb Company

Publication Date: 1949

Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Binding: Hardcover (cloth)

Printing: Corrected 1949 printing (no page 62 error)

Condition

Cloth boards show general wear and aging, consistent with use. Spine intact with visible edge wear. Pages are complete and firmly bound. Toning throughout, appropriate for age. Previous owner’s name handwritten inside. No known missing pages or structural issues.

Please review all photos carefully to assess exact condition.

Collector Notes

The Little Red Book remains one of the most significant non-Conference-approved texts in AA history. Early printings—particularly documented 1940s editions—are increasingly difficult to find in complete, honest condition.

This corrected 1949 printing offers collectors an important example from the period when the book transitioned from underground favorite to cornerstone influence—bridging the gap between the Big Book era and the later publication of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

An essential addition to any AA, recovery, or 12-Step history collection.