{"product_id":"aa-at-last-alcoholics-anonymous-new-jersey-pamphlet","title":"A.A. At Last — Early New Jersey Alcoholics Anonymous Pamphlet","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an early Alcoholics Anonymous pamphlet titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. At Last\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published by the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA.A. Groups of New Jersey\u003c\/span\u003e and distributed through the New Jersey Intergroup office at \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e944 Broad Street in Newark\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is an especially interesting piece of regional A.A. literature from a period when local Intergroups and Central Offices were still developing their own ways of introducing newcomers to the Fellowship. Northern New Jersey played an important role in that development. The New Jersey Intergroup office moved to 944 Broad Street in April 1948, placing this pamphlet within an important era of early organized A.A. service in the state. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe booklet states its purpose plainly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“This pamphlet is an attempt to set forth a few of the rudimentary ideas of A.A. Its primary purpose is to give the new member a working knowledge of the A.A. program…”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eRather than simply promoting meetings, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA.A. At Last\u003c\/span\u003e attempts to explain Alcoholics Anonymous to someone encountering the Fellowship for the first time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Early Newcomer’s Guide to A.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe pamphlet is organized around practical questions about Alcoholics Anonymous, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat do the letters A.A. stand for?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat is A.A.?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat is an alcoholic?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAm I an alcoholic?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it a disgrace to be an alcoholic?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow soon will I be cured?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy can A.A. help where others could not?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat do I have in common with such a group?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIs it a religious group or movement?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre there dues or fees?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhat form of government does A.A. have?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHow do I become a member?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe answers provide a fascinating look at the language used by A.A. members to explain the Fellowship during its earlier decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet describes alcoholism in terms of both a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ephysical allergy and a mental obsession\u003c\/span\u003e, stresses that the individual must decide for himself or herself whether they are alcoholic, discusses spiritual help without presenting A.A. as a formal religion, explains the absence of dues or initiation fees, and emphasizes the importance of one alcoholic helping another.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt also contains a lengthy \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“What Is an Alcoholic?”\u003c\/span\u003e questionnaire consisting of 35 yes-or-no questions. The text notes that the questions were formulated by Alcoholics Anonymous and based upon a guide used by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJohns Hopkins University Hospital\u003c\/span\u003e in evaluating alcoholism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePromotion of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe back cover contains an early advertisement for the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e400-page book Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e, stating that it could be obtained through the clubhouse or a public library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet describes the book as presenting the pooled experience of approximately 100 men and women who had suffered from alcoholism and recommends it to alcoholics, families, physicians, clergy, psychiatrists, and social workers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe closing statement is characteristically direct:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A.A. CAN and DOES show these people a solution to their problem and its greatest recommendation is—IT WORKS!”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor collectors of early A.A. literature, this connection to the Big Book adds considerable interest. The pamphlet was not simply meeting literature; it functioned as an introduction to the wider A.A. program and encouraged readers to seek out the Fellowship’s principal text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNew Jersey A.A. History\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNew Jersey has an unusually important place in early Alcoholics Anonymous history. The first New Jersey A.A. group developed in 1939, and by the 1940s the state had a growing network of groups requiring coordinated services. New Jersey eventually became an early example of how an Intergroup or Central Office could serve multiple autonomous A.A. groups. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe address printed inside this pamphlet is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIntergroup Office — A.A. Groups of New Jersey\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e944 Broad Street, Newark, N.J.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eP.O. Box 575, Newark 1, N.J.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTelephone: MArket 3-7528\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 944 Broad Street office was occupied by New Jersey Intergroup beginning in April 1948. The organization operated there during a particularly important period in the expansion of A.A. service work, making surviving literature carrying this address desirable documentation of early regional A.A. activity. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e A.A. At Last\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrganization:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e A.A. Groups of New Jersey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher\/Distributor:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e New Jersey Intergroup Office\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 944 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Stapled illustrated pamphlet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubject:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous, alcoholism, newcomer information, A.A. membership and recovery\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEra:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Post-1948 New Jersey A.A. literature\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eI would \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003enot assign an exact publication year yet\u003c\/span\u003e without additional evidence. The 944 Broad Street address establishes a date no earlier than April 1948, but the pamphlet itself does not appear to carry a printed date in the photographs provided. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis pamphlet remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003every good condition for its age\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe illustrated covers show light age toning, minor handling wear, and some light edge and corner wear. The interior pages remain clean and fully readable, with expected age-related toning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe binding remains intact and the pamphlet appears complete. There is no significant writing or major damage visible in the photographs provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA wonderful piece of early regional Alcoholics Anonymous history, documenting how the New Jersey Fellowship introduced newcomers to A.A., explained alcoholism and membership, promoted the Big Book, and helped shape the developing Intergroup service structure during the formative decades of the movement.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49876321599730,"sku":null,"price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/CDF06BF5-91C0-4127-A5A7-56F6BBC93417.jpg?v=1785779867","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/aa-at-last-alcoholics-anonymous-new-jersey-pamphlet","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}