{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-50th-anniversary-1985-montreal-international-convention-collection","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous 50th Anniversary — 1985 Montreal International Convention Collection","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fifty Years with Gratitude” — Book, Convention Program, Registration Brochure \u0026amp; Commemorative Mug\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an original collection of material from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1985 Alcoholics Anonymous International Convention in Montreal, Quebec\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held July 4–7, 1985 in celebration of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e50th anniversary of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eUnder the theme \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fifty Years with Gratitude,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eRather 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fifty Years with Gratitude” — Family Album \u0026amp; Souvenir\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAt the center of the collection is the blue clothbound volume:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eFifty Years with Gratitude: A Family Album and Souvenir of the International A.A. Convention, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 4–7, 1985\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePublished by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003c\/span\u003e, this example is identified on the copyright page as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSecond Printing, September 1985\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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 \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eA.A. Grapevine\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe bright blue cloth binding is decorated in gold with the convention’s distinctive \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“50” globe emblem\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eFifty Years with Gratitude\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCopyright:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 1985\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Second Printing, September 1985\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 0-916856-14-3\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Blue cloth hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinted and Bound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e USA\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal 1985 International Convention Program\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAlso included is the original multilingual program for the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fifty Years with Gratitude” International A.A. Convention\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe cover carries the blue maple leaf and gold “50” anniversary emblem with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eMontreal 1985\u003c\/span\u003e below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eInside 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe program accommodated an international audience with sections in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eEnglish, French, Spanish and German\u003c\/span\u003e. Contemporary accounts similarly record simultaneous translation of the major meetings into French, Spanish and German. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdvance Registration Brochure\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn original advance registration brochure advertises:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“CELEBRATE A.A.’s GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eand offers registration for all convention events for \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e$30\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBeyond 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt also notes that \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAl-Anon and Alateen were holding their own International Convention simultaneously in Montreal\u003c\/span\u003e, with attendees able to participate in events at both conventions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMontreal ’85 Convention Brochure\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAlso present is a separate illustrated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Montreal ’85 — 50th International Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous”\u003c\/span\u003e brochure, dated July 4–7, 1985.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIts artwork incorporates recognizable Canadian and Montreal imagery, including a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer and Montreal’s Olympic Stadium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A.’s 50th Birthday Mug\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eCompleting the collection is an original ceramic commemorative mug celebrating:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“A.A.’s 50th Birthday”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe design incorporates the gold anniversary globe emblem, a blue maple leaf, Montreal imagery, and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Montreal 1985.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe mug provides a particularly appealing piece of three-dimensional convention memorabilia to accompany the printed material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 1985 Montreal Convention\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Montreal convention represented a major milestone in A.A. history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne particularly significant moment came when \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRuth Hock\u003c\/span\u003e, Bill W.’s early secretary who typed the original manuscript of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, participated in a presentation connected with the five-millionth copy of the Big Book. \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eLois Wilson\u003c\/span\u003e, then 94, also addressed the convention. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollection Includes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eFifty Years with Gratitude\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e — A.A.W.S., 1985, Second Printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOfficial “Fifty Years with Gratitude” International Convention Program\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. Golden Anniversary advance registration brochure\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMontreal ’85 convention brochure\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A.’s 50th Birthday \/ Montreal 1985 commemorative ceramic mug\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe collection remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eVery Good overall condition\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe hardcover book remains bright and attractive with light shelf and handling wear. The interior is clean and the ownership\/gift lines shown are unused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe commemorative mug remains attractive, with its blue and gold decoration clearly visible. No obvious chips or cracks are visible in the photographs provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eInternational Convention material provides a tangible record of major milestones in Alcoholics Anonymous history, and the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e1985 Montreal gathering is particularly significant as A.A.’s Golden Anniversary celebration\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBringing the book, convention literature and commemorative mug together creates a much stronger historical presentation than any of the pieces individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor a collection centered on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eA.A. International Conventions, A.A. anniversaries, Alcoholics Anonymous World Services publications, or the history of the Fellowship\u003c\/span\u003e, this is an appealing group of original material from the celebration of A.A.’s first fifty years.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67600716234994,"sku":null,"price":395.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/63722E8F-6B33-4749-A569-0C24D189BA51.jpg?v=1790709509","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-50th-anniversary-1985-montreal-international-convention-collection","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}