The A.A. Grapevine — January 1945 | Volume I, No. 8

An original January 1945 issue of The Grapevine, published during the very earliest period of Alcoholics Anonymous and less than a year after the magazine began publication.

This is an especially appealing early issue because it captures A.A. while the Fellowship was still small, decentralized, and rapidly expanding across the United States.

The cover article is:

“Bill Cunningham, Top-Flight Columnist, Likes Being an A.A. ‘Side-Line Rooter’”

Written by Boston Herald columnist Bill Cunningham, the article describes his introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous, his impressions of the Fellowship, and the effect A.A. had on people he encountered.

Cunningham writes as an outsider looking in, making the article an interesting early example of favorable public commentary on A.A. from someone outside the Fellowship.

Charles Jackson Speaks at Hartford A.A.

Another notable article reports on Charles Jackson, author of The Lost Weekend, speaking at an A.A. meeting in Hartford.

The piece discusses Jackson’s views on alcoholism, his experiences surrounding The Lost Weekend, and his thoughts on Alcoholics Anonymous. For collectors interested in the broader cultural history of alcoholism and recovery, this is a particularly interesting connection between A.A. and one of the era’s best-known literary treatments of alcoholism.

Early A.A. Growth Across the Country

The issue contains several articles documenting the rapid development of early A.A. groups, including:

• “Granite Vermont Opens Its Heart to A.A.”
• “War Gave Florida Group Flying Start”
• “How 14 California Groups Grew to 22”
• “In Texas, Women Too, Are Wonderful”
• “Mail Call for All A.A.s in the Armed Forces”
• “A.A.’s Countrywide News Circuit”
• Reports from New York, New Jersey, Oregon, California, Vermont, Texas, Florida, and elsewhere

These reports offer a remarkable snapshot of A.A. in 1945, when many communities were only beginning to form organized groups.

Marty Mann and the Oregon Conference on Alcoholism

Also included is a report on an Oregon conference studying alcoholism, which notes the participation of Marty Mann and other early figures in the developing field of alcoholism education.

The article reflects the growing effort during the 1940s to bring alcoholism into public, medical, educational, and civic discussion.

Editorial on the Third Step

The issue also includes an early Third Step editorial, discussing surrender, spiritual practice, and the effort to apply A.A. principles in daily life.

As with many of these early Grapevine editorials, the article provides a valuable look at how A.A. members were discussing and interpreting the Steps during the Fellowship’s formative years.

Issue Details

Publication: The Grapevine
Date: January 1945
Volume: I
Number: 8
Format: Original large-format monthly journal
Cover Article: “Bill Cunningham, Top-Flight Columnist, Likes Being an A.A. ‘Side-Line Rooter’”
Notable Content: Charles Jackson and The Lost Weekend, Third Step editorial, early A.A. group growth, armed forces groups, Marty Mann and alcoholism education

Condition

This issue remains in fair to good condition and shows expected wear from age and handling.

The front and back cover leaves are detached from the spine, although both are present. The issue shows age toning, scattered staining and discoloration, edge wear, creasing, and small tears and chips along the margins and corners.

The interior pages remain readable and generally well preserved, with clear printing throughout. The important articles and text appear complete.

Please review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.

Despite the detached covers, this is a very desirable early issue of The Grapevine from January 1945, offering an unusually rich look at Alcoholics Anonymous during its first decade and during the first year of Grapevine publication.