{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-1955-second-edition-first-printing-first-issue","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book — Second Edition, First Printing, First Issue — 1955","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket · St. Louis International Convention Issue · Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr. Provenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an authentic \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Printing, First Issue of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published in 1955 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., complete with its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eoriginal dust jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is the earliest issue of the Second Edition—the version introduced at the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 A.A. International Convention in St. Louis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e—and it is one of the most desirable forms of the Second Edition for collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe first issue is distinguished by a combination of internal textual points and, most importantly, the original dust jacket with the additional convention-era ordering paragraph on the rear flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy also carries well-documented provenance to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, an Episcopal priest serving in Georgia during the same period the book was published.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance — The Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy was personally owned by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, an Episcopal clergyman active in Georgia during the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy 1954, Jones was serving as rector of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eChurch of the Mediator in Washington, Georgia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. He later became rector of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSt. John’s Episcopal Church in Bainbridge, Georgia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, and while based in Bainbridge also ministered to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHoly Trinity Episcopal Church in Blakely\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. His first service there was conducted on Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eJones remained in the Bainbridge area until late 1957, when he accepted a call to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThankful Memorial Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe association of this book with Jones is especially strong because his ownership information is \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003estamped twice inside the volume\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eP.O. Box 271\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBainbridge, Georgia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe address corresponds directly with the period during which Jones was serving at St. John’s Episcopal Church.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat places this early Second Edition Big Book in the personal library of a Christian clergyman actively serving southern Georgia during an important period in the growth of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor collectors interested in the relationship between A.A. and the clergy during the Fellowship’s early decades, the association gives this copy an added dimension beyond its bibliographic importance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe First Issue of the Second Edition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Second Edition debuted in 1955, sixteen years after the original 1939 Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy then, Alcoholics Anonymous had grown from a fellowship of fewer than 100 members into an international movement numbering well over 100,000.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe basic recovery text remained substantially unchanged, but the Second Edition greatly expanded the historical material and replaced much of the personal story section in order to reflect the dramatic growth and broader geographic reach of A.A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis specific copy belongs to the earliest issue of that edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAlthough the removable white convention band is no longer present, the book can still be identified as a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Issue, First Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e through a combination of original jacket and internal printing points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Issue Identification\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original jacket contains the most important first-issue identifier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe front is labeled:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Second Edition”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe publisher is identified as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. Pub. Inc.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMost significantly, the rear flap contains an additional paragraph found on the earliest convention-distributed jackets:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“This book may be ordered from the publisher upon a free examination basis. Examine for seven days and if not satisfied that the book will be helpful return and money (including postage) will be refunded.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis paragraph was removed from later jackets, making its presence an important identifying feature of the initial issue associated with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 St. Louis International Convention\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Printing Identification\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe earliest Second Edition printings do not state their printing number in the conventional manner, so collectors rely on internal textual points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy contains the identifying characteristics of the First Printing:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePage xx, line 6:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e “really” appears misspelled as \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“realy.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis typographical error is associated with the First Printing and was corrected in subsequent printings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe asterisk on page 16 also reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“AA is now composed of nearly 6000 groups (1955).”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTaken together with the original first-issue jacket, these points establish this volume as an authentic \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition, First Printing, First Issue\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 1955 Second Edition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Second Edition was far more than a simple reprinting of the original Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhile the primary recovery text on pages 1–165 remained substantially unchanged, the new edition reflected the enormous transformation that had taken place within Alcoholics Anonymous since 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe title page now described:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Second Edition introduced an expanded historical Foreword, additional professional and religious commentary, a larger Appendix, and a completely revised personal story section.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe new story section contained \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e37 case histories\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, including the notable division:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“They Stopped in Time.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMore than 110,000 words of new material were incorporated into the revised edition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book therefore represents a pivotal moment in A.A. history: the transition from the relatively small fellowship documented in the First Edition to the established international movement of the mid-1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Original Second Edition Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe presence of the original jacket is a major part of this copy’s appeal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBeyond the first-issue ordering paragraph, the Second Edition jacket includes one of the most interesting practical features ever printed on an A.A. book:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“If you wish to preserve complete personal anonymity when carrying this book, just turn this jacket inside out. It has been especially designed for your convenience.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe statement is a fascinating reflection of how seriously anonymity was considered in the physical design and everyday use of the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eEarly original Second Edition jackets are increasingly difficult to locate, and first-issue examples carrying the additional convention text are particularly desirable.\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 \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ebook is in Very Good condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original cloth boards show only minor wear consistent with age and handling. The binding remains sound and the spine is firm and intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe ownership stamp of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr., P.O. Box 271, Bainbridge, Georgia\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e appears inside the book, confirming the provenance described above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAside from the ownership stamps, the interior is notably clean, with no significant handwriting or reader annotation noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eoriginal dust jacket is present and intact\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, with visible age-related wear, including rubbing, edge wear, small tears and other handling consistent with an original 1955 jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original removable white convention band is \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enot present\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of both the book and dust jacket condition.\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=\"p5\"\u003eThis copy combines several attributes rarely found together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 Second Edition, First Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Issue associated with the St. Louis International Convention\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal first-issue dust jacket with the extra rear-flap ordering paragraph\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConfirmed ownership provenance to The Rev. John Paul Jones, Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStrong overall condition for an early Second Edition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous publishing history, the First Issue of the 1955 Second Edition represents one of the key transition points in the story of the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAnd unlike an anonymous copy, this example retains a documented connection to a working Episcopal priest who owned the book during the very years in which A.A. was rapidly expanding into communities throughout the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA highly collectible and historically meaningful example of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eearliest issue of the Alcoholics Anonymous Second Edition Big Book\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49968678306034,"sku":null,"price":1100.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/D47AF7F6-1461-4DEA-A5DC-E5C125F9C90B.jpg?v=1787461214","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-1955-second-edition-first-printing-first-issue","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}