Alcoholics Anonymous 50th Anniversary — 1985 Montreal International Convention Collection

“Fifty Years with Gratitude” — Book, Convention Program, Registration Brochure & Commemorative Mug

Offered here is an original collection of material from the 1985 Alcoholics Anonymous International Convention in Montreal, Quebec, held July 4–7, 1985 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Under the theme “Fifty Years with Gratitude,” the Montreal gathering marked half a century since the 1935 meeting of Bill W. and Dr. Bob in Akron. It was the eighth A.A. International Convention and drew an estimated 45,600 attendees from around the world. 

Rather than a single souvenir, this collection brings together several different pieces associated with the event: the official commemorative history, the multilingual convention program, an advance registration brochure, and a ceramic 50th Birthday mug.

“Fifty Years with Gratitude” — Family Album & Souvenir

At the center of the collection is the blue clothbound volume:

Fifty Years with Gratitude: A Family Album and Souvenir of the International A.A. Convention, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 4–7, 1985

Published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., this example is identified on the copyright page as the Second Printing, September 1985.

The book was created as a historical retrospective on A.A.’s first fifty years and incorporates photographs from the A.A. Archives as well as historical material from the A.A. Grapevine. Historian Ernest Kurtz later described the Montreal convention as being particularly centered on A.A.’s own history and noted that this commemorative volume preserved that emphasis through its extensive collection of historical photographs and newspaper material. 

The bright blue cloth binding is decorated in gold with the convention’s distinctive “50” globe emblem.

Book Details:
Title: Fifty Years with Gratitude
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Copyright: 1985
Printing: Second Printing, September 1985
ISBN: 0-916856-14-3
Binding: Blue cloth hardcover
Printed and Bound: USA

Original 1985 International Convention Program

Also included is the original multilingual program for the “Fifty Years with Gratitude” International A.A. Convention.

The cover carries the blue maple leaf and gold “50” anniversary emblem with Montreal 1985 below.

Inside are schedules and practical information for the enormous four-day gathering, including workshops, panels, Alkathons, marathon meetings, hotel events and the major gatherings at Montreal’s Olympic Park Stadium.

The program accommodated an international audience with sections in English, French, Spanish and German. Contemporary accounts similarly record simultaneous translation of the major meetings into French, Spanish and German. 

Advance Registration Brochure

An original advance registration brochure advertises:

“CELEBRATE A.A.’s GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY”

and offers registration for all convention events for $30.

Beyond its colorful design, the brochure provides a particularly interesting snapshot of how attendees actually planned for the convention, with information concerning registration, housing, transportation, meals, special arrangements, meetings and entertainment.

It also notes that Al-Anon and Alateen were holding their own International Convention simultaneously in Montreal, with attendees able to participate in events at both conventions.

Montreal ’85 Convention Brochure

Also present is a separate illustrated “Montreal ’85 — 50th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous” brochure, dated July 4–7, 1985.

Its artwork incorporates recognizable Canadian and Montreal imagery, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.

A.A.’s 50th Birthday Mug

Completing the collection is an original ceramic commemorative mug celebrating:

“A.A.’s 50th Birthday”

The design incorporates the gold anniversary globe emblem, a blue maple leaf, Montreal imagery, and “Montreal 1985.”

The mug provides a particularly appealing piece of three-dimensional convention memorabilia to accompany the printed material.

The 1985 Montreal Convention

The Montreal convention represented a major milestone in A.A. history.

The program emphasized not simply the Fellowship’s size after fifty years, but also its origins and development. Historical programming included discussions of A.A.’s beginnings in the United States, Canada, Europe, Latin America and elsewhere, along with programs devoted to pioneers and early members. 

One particularly significant moment came when Ruth Hock, Bill W.’s early secretary who typed the original manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous, participated in a presentation connected with the five-millionth copy of the Big Book. Lois Wilson, then 94, also addressed the convention. 

The surviving material offered here provides several different views of that anniversary—from the historical volume created to commemorate A.A.’s first fifty years to the program carried by attendees and the souvenir mug produced for the celebration.

Collection Includes

• Fifty Years with Gratitude — A.A.W.S., 1985, Second Printing
• Official “Fifty Years with Gratitude” International Convention Program
• A.A. Golden Anniversary advance registration brochure
• Montreal ’85 convention brochure
• A.A.’s 50th Birthday / Montreal 1985 commemorative ceramic mug

Condition

The collection remains in Very Good overall condition.

The hardcover book remains bright and attractive with light shelf and handling wear. The interior is clean and the ownership/gift lines shown are unused.

The convention programs and brochures show varying degrees of age and handling, including light toning, scattered spotting, edge wear and folds consistent with original convention use and storage.

The commemorative mug remains attractive, with its blue and gold decoration clearly visible. No obvious chips or cracks are visible in the photographs provided.

Please review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.

Collector Significance

International Convention material provides a tangible record of major milestones in Alcoholics Anonymous history, and the 1985 Montreal gathering is particularly significant as A.A.’s Golden Anniversary celebration.

Bringing the book, convention literature and commemorative mug together creates a much stronger historical presentation than any of the pieces individually.

For a collection centered on A.A. International Conventions, A.A. anniversaries, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services publications, or the history of the Fellowship, this is an appealing group of original material from the celebration of A.A.’s first fifty years.