Alcoholics Anonymous — The Complete Four-Edition Big Book Collection (1939–2001)

First, Second, Third & Fourth Editions

Offered here is a four-volume collection of Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as the Big Book, representing each of the four major editions published between 1939 and 2001.

This collection brings together a 1948 First Edition, 12th Printing; a 1962 Second Edition, 5th Printing; a 1976 Third Edition, 1st Printing; and a 2001 Fourth Edition, 1st Printing.

Together, these books illustrate more than six decades of Alcoholics Anonymous publishing history, documenting the Fellowship’s growth from its early years into an international movement.

The collection is particularly appealing for its inclusion of first printings of both the Third and Fourth Editions, along with an early First Edition and a Second Edition published during the Fellowship’s formative decades.

Three books are accompanied by their original dust jackets. The 1948 First Edition has a reproduction dust jacket.

The Four Editions

First Edition — 12th Printing (1948)

The First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous was originally published in April 1939, when the Fellowship consisted of approximately 100 members.

The book introduced A.A.’s program of recovery to the public and included the personal experiences of early members whose stories helped establish the foundation of the Fellowship.

This 12th Printing, published in 1948, represents an important period in A.A. history. By this time, Alcoholics Anonymous had expanded well beyond its beginnings in Akron and New York, aided by growing public awareness, the work of its early members, and the circulation of the Big Book.

The First Edition remained in publication through sixteen printings before being replaced by the Second Edition in 1955.

Book Details

• Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
• Edition: First Edition
• Printing: 12th Printing
• Year: 1948
• Binding: Hardcover
• Dust Jacket: Reproduction

Second Edition — 5th Printing (1962)

The Second Edition was introduced in 1955, coinciding with A.A.’s twentieth anniversary and the historic International Convention in St. Louis.

This revised edition reflected the Fellowship’s remarkable expansion during its first two decades. The personal stories were substantially revised, with new accounts added to represent the increasingly diverse experiences of A.A. members.

The 5th Printing, published in 1962, belongs to a period when Alcoholics Anonymous was firmly established across North America and continuing to expand internationally.

This volume is accompanied by its original dust jacket, an important feature for collectors of early Second Edition printings.

Book Details

• Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
• Edition: Second Edition
• Printing: 5th Printing
• Year: 1962
• Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Dust Jacket: Original

Third Edition — First Printing (1976)

The Third Edition marked another significant milestone in the publishing history of the Big Book.

Released in 1976, this edition reflected the extraordinary growth of Alcoholics Anonymous during the preceding decades.

Its new foreword reported that the Fellowship had surpassed one million members, with approximately 28,000 groups meeting in more than 90 countries.

The Third Edition retained the fundamental recovery program presented in 1939 while introducing a revised collection of personal stories reflecting the changing membership of A.A.

This volume is the First Printing of the Third Edition, confirmed by the copyright-page statement:

“Third Edition, New & Revised, 1976 — First Printing, 1976.”

The original dust jacket bears the identifying printing code 150M-4/76(A).

Book Details

• Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
• Edition: Third Edition, New and Revised
• Printing: First Printing
• Year: 1976
• Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
• Binding: Blue hardcover
• Dust Jacket: Original
• Jacket Printing Code: 150M-4/76(A)

Fourth Edition — First Printing (2001)

The Fourth Edition was introduced in October 2001, twenty-five years after the publication of the Third Edition.

While preserving the original Twelve Step program and the foundational chapters of the Big Book, the Fourth Edition introduced a revised selection of personal stories reflecting the experiences of a new generation of A.A. members.

The publication represented another important chapter in the Fellowship’s continuing history.

This copy is the First Printing of the Fourth Edition, confirmed by the copyright-page statement:

“Fourth Edition, New and Revised 2001 — First printing, October 2001.”

The book is in like-new condition and is accompanied by its original dust jacket.

Book Details

• Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
• Edition: Fourth Edition, New and Revised
• Printing: First Printing
• Year: October 2001
• Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
• Binding: Blue hardcover
• Dust Jacket: Original
• Condition: Like New

Collection Details

Total Volumes: Four hardcover books

Publication Period: 1948–2001

Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc. / Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., as applicable to each edition

Condition

The collection consists of four hardcover volumes in varying conditions appropriate to their respective ages.

The 1948 First Edition is accompanied by a reproduction dust jacket. The 1962 Second Edition, 1976 Third Edition, and 2001 Fourth Edition are accompanied by original dust jackets.

The Fourth Edition First Printing is in particularly attractive, like-new condition.

Please examine the accompanying photographs for the condition and individual characteristics of each volume.

Collector Significance

For collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous literature, the four major editions of the Big Book represent the principal milestones in the publication history of the Fellowship’s foundational text.

Each edition reflects a different era in A.A.’s development:

• First Edition (1939–1954): The early establishment and expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous.
• Second Edition (1955–1974): The Fellowship’s growth into an established international organization.
• Third Edition (1976–2001): A.A.’s expansion to more than one million members worldwide.
• Fourth Edition (2001–present): The continuing evolution of the Fellowship’s personal stories for new generations.

This collection offers an opportunity to acquire representative copies of all four editions together, including two important first printings and three original dust jackets.

An attractive addition to a private recovery-history library, institutional collection, or display dedicated to the publishing history of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Offered as a complete four-volume collection.