{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-first-edition-first-printing-1939","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, First Printing | April 1939","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an original \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Edition, First Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published by the Works Publishing Company in April 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is the earliest printing of the book that gave Alcoholics Anonymous its name and introduced its program of recovery to the world. Issued when A.A. was still a small and largely unknown fellowship, the first printing represents the true beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous in published form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePrinted in an unusually large format and bound in red cloth, the volume quickly became known as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Big Book.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Only a limited number of copies were produced, and surviving examples have become among the most historically significant and desirable artifacts connected with the founding of A.A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous in Print\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 1939 first printing contains the original presentation of the A.A. program, including the foundational chapters that introduced the Twelve Steps and explained how early members had recovered from alcoholism.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIts title page carries the original subtitle:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book was published by the Works Publishing Company, the organization created by Bill W. and early A.A. members to finance and distribute the volume. At the time of publication, Alcoholics Anonymous had not yet developed into the worldwide fellowship it would later become.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis first printing therefore belongs directly to A.A.’s founding era.\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=\"p4\"\u003eThis copy displays the recognized features of the April 1939 first printing, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal red cloth binding with gilt lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks Publishing Company imprint\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApril 1939 copyright statement\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Doctor’s Opinion\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e beginning on page 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe first-printing text and original collection of personal stories\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe well-known repeated-line printing error on page 234\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e“Lone Endeavor,” the story appearing only in the first printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRay Campbell’s “An Artist’s Concept,” describing the original dust-jacket design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e The Big Book\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e First Edition\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e First Printing\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e April 1939\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Works Publishing Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace of Publication:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e New York City\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, New York\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Original red cloth hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLettering:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Gilt lettering on the front cover and spine\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Reproduction\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003every good condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, particularly impressive for an original first printing published in 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original red cloth binding remains bright and visually attractive. The front-cover gilt lettering is strong and clearly defined. The boards show only minimal surface wear, with light rubbing and a few small marks consistent with age and careful handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe spine shows moderate fading compared with the front and rear boards, and the gilt spine lettering has softened with age but remains visible. There is light wear at the spine ends, including minor fraying and small areas of cloth disturbance along the upper edge. The corners show only modest wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe binding remains solid, and the hinges appear secure. The endpapers are clean, with no ownership inscriptions, bookplates, or other markings visible. The interior is clean and well preserved, with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eno writing, underlining, or notable markings\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pages show even age toning, and the exposed page edges have naturally darkened over time. Overall, the book presents exceptionally well, with a clean interior and an unusually attractive original red-cloth binding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eReproduction dust jacket is included.\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\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical and Collector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe First Edition, First Printing of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is the foundational book of the A.A. movement and one of the most important publications in the history of recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis copy is especially appealing for its:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOriginal 1939 red cloth binding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong front-cover gilt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean, unmarked interior\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSolid binding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMinimal overall wear\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttractive presentation without restoration or added materials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA beautiful and well-preserved example of the book that launched Alcoholics Anonymous and permanently changed the way alcoholism and recovery were understood.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49876175913202,"sku":null,"price":15000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/F1020FD1-A1C4-48BE-9F97-9D9C65EEBD1C.jpg?v=1785778072","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-first-edition-first-printing-1939","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}