{"product_id":"aa-20th-anniversary-convention-collection-1955","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous 20th Anniversary Convention Collection – St. Louis, 1955 – Five Original Pieces","description":"\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eA remarkable five-piece collection of original material from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous 20th Anniversary Convention\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held July 1–3, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe St. Louis Convention was one of the defining events in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. During the closing session, Bill W. formally transferred responsibility for A.A.’s world services to the Fellowship and its General Service Conference. The Third Legacy of Service was accepted, and Alcoholics Anonymous symbolically “came of age.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe convention also marked the introduction of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSecond Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e, reflecting the extraordinary growth of the Fellowship from approximately 100 members when the First Edition appeared in 1939 to roughly 150,000 members by 1955.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eTogether, these five original pieces provide a rare documentary record of that historic weekend. The collection includes all three daily convention bulletins, the convention-issued greeting from Bill and Lois W., and an early convention issue of Bill W.’s proposed \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThird Legacy Manual of World Service\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded in This Collection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTwentieth Anniversary Greetings from Lois and Bill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAn original convention-issued greeting prepared for attendees of the St. Louis gathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eTyped on G.S.W. letterhead and dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSt. Louis, July 1–3, 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the message reflects on A.A.’s first twenty years and the significance of the Fellowship assuming responsibility for its future growth and service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe letter reads, in part:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“We are gathered here to thank God that in twenty years He has delivered so many of us out of our bondage… And, here in St. Louis, we are to take the momentous decision that our Fellowship has come of age, may assume full responsibility for its future growth and function, and can confidently take destiny by the hand.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe letter concludes with the printed closing, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“In devotion, Lois \u0026amp; Bill.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOriginal convention greetings of this kind are seldom encountered independently and are especially significant when preserved with additional material from the same event.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConvention Bulletin No. 1 — Friday, July 1, 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe opening-day bulletin carries the headline:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“All A.A. Roads Lead to St. Louis This Week-End”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt includes coverage of the convention’s opening activities, Family Group meetings, the convention program, Grapevine participation, and information for members arriving in St. Louis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConvention Bulletin No. 2 — Saturday, July 2, 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe second bulletin carries the headline:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Eisenhower Salutes A.A. for Service and Growth”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt reproduces a telegram from President Dwight D. Eisenhower recognizing the work of Alcoholics Anonymous and includes reports on the convention sessions, national radio coverage, and the growing international reach of the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConvention Bulletin No. 3 — Sunday, July 3, 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe final bulletin announces the central business of the convention:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Movement to Be Asked to Accept the Third Legacy”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt outlines the proposed transfer of responsibility for A.A.’s world services, provides the schedule for the final day, and announces Bill W.’s closing presentation of the Third Legacy Resolution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eTogether, the three bulletins form a day-by-day contemporary account of the convention and the events surrounding A.A.’s transition into a fully self-supporting and self-governing Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Third Legacy Manual of World Service as Proposed by Bill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAn exceptionally important early issue of the manual that would eventually develop into \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe A.A. Service Manual\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe blue cover identifies the gathering directly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. Comes of Age — July 1–2–3, 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e20th Anniversary Convention, St. Louis, Mo.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe booklet presents Bill W.’s proposed structure for A.A.’s Third Legacy of Service and explains the history, purpose, and operation of the General Service Conference and related world services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eA note on the cover advises members to read the historical account of A.A. World Services contained in Part I. In the foreword, Bill explains that he intends to place responsibility for these services into the permanent keeping of the Fellowship at St. Louis:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“At St. Louis, in 1955, on behalf of A.A.’s old timers, I will deliver into the permanent keeping of our Fellowship all these Services, secure in the knowledge that A.A. has at last come of age.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis convention issue predates the regular publication of the First Edition of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Third Legacy Manual\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and directly documents the proposal placed before the Fellowship during the historic St. Louis gathering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEvent:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous 20th Anniversary Convention\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e St. Louis, Missouri\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e July 1–3, 1955\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNumber of pieces:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Five\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Three daily convention bulletins, anniversary greeting from Lois and Bill, and convention issue of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Third Legacy Manual of World Service\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original printed ephemera and softcover booklet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e English\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe five pieces remain exceptionally well preserved for convention material approaching seventy-five years of age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe three bulletins retain strong original color and clear printing, with light handling and minor age-related wear. The anniversary greeting remains clean and well presented. \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Third Legacy Manual\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is in excellent condition, with a clean blue cover, strong binding, and well-preserved interior pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review the photographs carefully for the condition and appearance of each individual piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eComplete groups of original material from the 1955 St. Louis Convention are rarely encountered. Many convention handouts were read, folded, carried home, or eventually discarded, making the survival of all three daily bulletins alongside the anniversary greeting and Third Legacy manual especially noteworthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThis collection documents a single historic weekend during which:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Second Edition Big Book was introduced\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe Third Legacy of Service was accepted\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResponsibility for A.A.’s world services passed to the Fellowship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous formally “came of age”\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAn important and visually compelling archive for collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous history, convention material, early service literature, or original A.A. ephemera.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49869897466098,"sku":null,"price":3000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/image_edb7a86a-0600-4602-9b87-3de47d2ddc5c.jpg?v=1685556491","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/aa-20th-anniversary-convention-collection-1955","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}