{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-second-edition-first-printing-1955-signed-bill-w","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book — Second Edition First Printing 1955 — Inscribed by Bill W. to Sacramento Group #3 — Jim Masterson Provenance","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an extraordinary association copy of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous Big Book, Second Edition, First Printing from 1955\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, inscribed by A.A. co-founder \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill Wilson to Sacramento Group #3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and surrounded by the signatures of numerous individuals involved in the early General Service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe documented history of this book connects \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSacramento Group #3, James “Jim” Masterson, William H. Winegar, Bill Wilson, trustees of Alcoholics Anonymous, and members of the New York General Service Headquarters staff\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e during an important period in the development of the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAccompanying the book is a signed provenance statement from Winegar, dated June 11, 2004, explaining that Masterson brought the book to a meeting in New York in 1957 and obtained the signatures found inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTogether, the book, Bill Wilson inscription, collection of early A.A. service signatures, and surviving documentation create an exceptional artifact of Alcoholics Anonymous history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Association \u0026amp; Provenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe front endpaper contains a substantial presentation inscription from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill Wilson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTo Sacramento #3 —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn remembrance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eand gratitude\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eEver\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eNY | 57\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eImmediately above Bill’s inscription is a handwritten notation identifying \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Thursday Nite Unit”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e with an arrow pointing toward “Sacramento #3.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAt the upper right appears \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Jim M. – Calif.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, providing another internal connection to Jim Masterson and the California provenance documented by William Winegar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSurrounding Bill’s inscription are numerous signatures belonging to men and women involved with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Service Board, General Service Headquarters, A.A. publishing activities, and the broader service community of Alcoholics Anonymous during the 1950s\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis was not simply a Big Book passed around for autographs. The people represented on the page occupied different positions within the service structure A.A. was developing to ensure the Fellowship could continue beyond its founding generation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 1957 New York Connection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill Wilson specifically dated his inscription \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“NY | 57.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe accompanying provenance statement records that Jim Masterson brought the book to a meeting in New York in 1957 and collected the signatures there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe timing is noteworthy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeventh General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous was held in New York City from April 17–21, 1957\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Contemporary A.A. material describes a gathering bringing approximately 79 Area Delegates together with trustees, General Service Headquarters personnel, A.A. Publishing representatives, and others involved in the national service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat composition corresponds remarkably well with the mixture of people whose signatures appear in this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWe have not, however, located the complete 1957 Final Conference Report or another contemporary attendance record specifically establishing Jim Masterson’s presence at that Conference. For that reason, we do \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enot\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e definitively identify the Conference as the meeting described by Winegar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhat can be established directly from the book is compelling in its own right: \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill Wilson inscribed the book to Sacramento #3 in New York in 1957, and the same endpaper contains signatures of individuals serving within A.A.’s national General Service operation during this period.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames “Jim” Masterson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eJames Masterson provides the central link between this book, Sacramento A.A., and the national service community represented by its signatures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMasterson achieved sobriety in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1951\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and became deeply involved with Alcoholics Anonymous in Northern California. His service eventually extended well beyond his local Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFrom \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1963 through 1967\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Masterson served on A.A.’s \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBoard of Trustees representing the Pacific Region\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. In \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1965\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, he served as chairman of A.A.’s International Convention in Toronto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn obituary preserved with this book documents Masterson’s long involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous and his personal acquaintance with Bill Wilson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis son later summarized the importance of A.A. in his father’s life:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“He had two families, AA and his actual family. AA became his life, pretty much.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMasterson died in 2000 at age 83 after nearly half a century of sobriety.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis relationship to this particular Big Book is documented by the man Masterson sponsored, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam H. Winegar\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe William H. Winegar Provenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAccompanying the book is a signed provenance statement dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJune 11, 2004\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, from William H. Winegar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWinegar states that he had possessed the book since \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1957\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and had belonged to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGroup 3 since 1954\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMost importantly, Winegar recorded the history of the autograph page:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“James Masterson (Jim M.) was a delegate to the meeting in New York representing Northern California. He was a personal friend of Bill W. He got all the signatures in the book while he was in New York at this meeting.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWinegar further wrote:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e“Jim was my sponsor and close friend until his death in 2000.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe physical evidence within the book corresponds with important portions of Winegar’s account.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe endpaper is marked \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Jim M. – Calif.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill’s inscription is specifically addressed \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“To Sacramento #3.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn annotation identifies \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Thursday Nite Unit”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e with Sacramento #3.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAnd Bill himself dated the inscription \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“NY | 57.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eWinegar’s signed statement therefore preserves something particularly valuable: not merely ownership history, but an explanation of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ewhy this remarkable collection of signatures appears together.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Signers\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill Wilson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam G. Wilson (1895–1971)\u003c\/b\u003e was the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and one of the principal architects of its program, literature, Twelve Traditions, and General Service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy 1957, Wilson had spent more than two decades helping guide A.A. from a small group of recovering alcoholics into an international Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne of Bill’s greatest concerns was ensuring that Alcoholics Anonymous could survive its founders. The \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Service Conference, first held in 1951\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, became central to his effort to transfer responsibility for A.A.’s future from its founders to the Fellowship itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat transfer reached an important milestone at the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 International Convention in St. Louis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the same year this Second Edition Big Book was published.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAgainst that background, Bill’s inscription carries particular meaning:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“To Sacramento #3 — In remembrance and gratitude.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eRather than signing the book for an individual collector, Bill addressed his message directly to an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. group\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeonard Vance Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLeonard Vance Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e was one of the most important nonalcoholic trustees involved in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous’ General Service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA New York attorney and longtime nonalcoholic friend of A.A., Harrison became involved in the Fellowship’s institutional affairs during the period when responsibility for Alcoholics Anonymous was being transferred from its founders to a permanent service organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBy \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1957, Harrison was Chairman of the General Service Board\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, placing him at the highest level of A.A.’s service structure during the year Bill inscribed this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis presence on the page is therefore particularly significant: alongside the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous appears the signature of the man then chairing the Board entrusted with helping safeguard A.A.’s worldwide services.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdam T. Capeling\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdam T. Capeling of Toronto\u003c\/b\u003e was an important figure in the early development of A.A. General Service in Canada.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eCapeling was among Canada’s earliest General Service Conference delegates and became the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003efirst Canadian trustee of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, serving on the General Service Board during the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis trustee service placed him directly within the emerging international General Service structure at the time represented by this book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eCapeling’s signature adds a Canadian and international dimension to an endpaper already bringing together Bill Wilson, Board leadership, Headquarters personnel, and American A.A. members.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eE. D. “Icky” Sheridan\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eE. D. “Icky” Sheridan\u003c\/b\u003e was an early Texas A.A. member deeply involved in General Service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSheridan served as an early General Service Conference delegate and subsequently became a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eClass B alcoholic trustee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, serving on the General Service Board during the mid-to-late 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis service placed him among the generation of A.A. members responsible for turning the principles of General Service into a functioning structure accountable to the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis signature provides another direct connection between this book and A.A.’s national service leadership in 1957.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHenry F. “Hank” Grieme\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHenry F. “Hank” Grieme\u003c\/b\u003e was an important figure within A.A.’s New York service and publishing operation during the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eGrieme worked at General Service Headquarters during a period of tremendous expansion in A.A. membership and literature distribution and became closely involved with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. Publishing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary Conference material identifies Grieme with both General Service Headquarters and A.A.’s publishing activities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis signature is especially appropriate within a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 First Printing of the Second Edition Big Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, one of the most important publishing projects undertaken by Alcoholics Anonymous during this era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnn Macfarlane\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAnn Macfarlane\u003c\/b\u003e was a member of the General Service Headquarters staff and became closely involved with the operation of the General Service Conference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary A.A. material identifies Macfarlane as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConference Secretary\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer work placed her directly within the administrative structure connecting Area Delegates throughout North America with General Service Headquarters and the General Service Board in New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer signature helps demonstrate that the endpaper represents more than prominent personalities: it also includes people performing the practical work necessary to make A.A.’s new General Service structure function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHazel Rice\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHazel Rice\u003c\/b\u003e served on the General Service Headquarters staff during the 1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary Headquarters material identifies her work as including contact with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehospital and prison groups, overseas groups, and Loners in several countries\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAt a time when Alcoholics Anonymous was expanding rapidly beyond established local groups, this type of correspondence was an important part of connecting isolated alcoholics and developing groups with the larger Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer signature adds another identifiable member of the New York Headquarters staff to the page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEve Marsh\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEve Marsh\u003c\/b\u003e was another member of the General Service Headquarters staff during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary A.A. material identifies Marsh with \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGroup Relations\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, placing her directly within the Headquarters operation responsible for maintaining contact with the expanding network of A.A. groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHer presence alongside trustees, Conference personnel, publishing staff, and Bill Wilson further illustrates the unusual cross-section of A.A.’s service organization represented on this single endpaper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDolores Dalziel\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDolores Dalziel\u003c\/b\u003e was a member of the New York Headquarters office staff during this period and appears in contemporary General Service Conference material among the personnel involved in the operation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAlthough names such as Dalziel’s are less familiar today than Bill Wilson or A.A.’s trustees, their presence is historically useful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe endpaper preserves not simply the names of A.A.’s public leaders, but also members of the relatively small Headquarters organization carrying out the everyday administrative work of a rapidly expanding Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJane F.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne signature along the left side of the endpaper appears to be \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJane F.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe identification is particularly interesting because the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFebruary 1957 issue of Box 459\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e introduced a “Jane F.” as the newest member of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Service Headquarters service staff\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, describing her as an active New York A.A. member and experienced businesswoman.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe timing corresponds precisely with the year Bill dated this book \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“NY | 57.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBecause the identification relies upon handwriting and contextual evidence rather than a definitive signature comparison, we consider \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJane F. a plausible identification rather than a conclusively established one.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaul Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe endpaper also bears the clearly readable signature of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePaul Gardner\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eContemporary California A.A. material documents a Paul Gardner active within the Fellowship by the mid-1950s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1955 San Diego A.A. publication\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e advertised Gardner as a featured speaker and described him as an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eex-Marine sergeant with more than eight years of A.A. sobriety\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, placing the beginning of his recovery around 1947 or earlier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWe have not established that Gardner held an official position at the 1957 General Service Conference and therefore make no such claim.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHis presence does, however, provide another interesting California connection within a book whose documented history leads back to Sacramento.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAdditional Signatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSeveral additional contemporary signatures appear on the endpaper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSome can be read with varying degrees of confidence, while others have not been conclusively identified. Rather than assign identities unsupported by sufficient evidence, these have intentionally been left unidentified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe significance of the page does not depend upon identifying every signer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThe individuals who can be reasonably identified already represent a remarkable cross-section of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A.’s co-founder, General Service Board leadership, alcoholic and nonalcoholic trustees, General Service Headquarters personnel, publishing operations, and experienced A.A. members.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhat makes this Big Book especially compelling is not simply the presence of Bill Wilson’s autograph.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt is the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehistorical coherence of the entire artifact\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book contains Bill Wilson’s substantial presentation inscription to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSacramento #3\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, dated New York, 1957.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt contains the contemporary notation \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Thursday Nite Unit”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e pointing toward Sacramento #3 and the inscription \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Jim M. – Calif.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSurrounding Bill are signatures representing people involved with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Service Board, trustees, General Service Headquarters, publishing operations, and the broader A.A. service community\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAnd accompanying the book is William Winegar’s signed 2004 provenance statement recording that Winegar belonged to Group #3 beginning in 1954; that Jim Masterson was his sponsor and close friend; and that Masterson collected the signatures while attending a meeting in New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe precise 1957 meeting at which Masterson collected the signatures has not been independently established. However, the circumstances described by Winegar correspond closely with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSeventh General Service Conference of Alcoholics Anonymous, held in New York City April 17–21, 1957\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, when delegates assembled with trustees, Headquarters personnel, publishing representatives, and A.A.’s service leadership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWhatever the exact occasion, the book preserves something unusual:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA snapshot of Alcoholics Anonymous’ early national service community gathered onto the endpaper of a Big Book and carried back to an A.A. group in Sacramento.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eThat, more than any individual autograph, is what makes this copy historically significant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition — First Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy is the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Printing of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published in 1955 by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., New York City\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe title page identifies the book as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNEW AND REVISED EDITION\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.\u003cbr\u003eNew York City\u003cbr\u003e1955\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe copyright page states:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e**“Sixteen Printings from\u003cbr\u003e1939 to 1955\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSecond Edition, New\u003cbr\u003eand Revised, 1955”**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ewith no subsequent printing statement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Second Edition represented the first major revision of the Big Book since its original publication in 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe basic recovery text remained intact while the introductory material and personal-story section were revised to reflect A.A.’s extraordinary growth. The new Foreword recorded that Alcoholics Anonymous had grown to nearly \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e6,000 groups and more than 150,000 recovered alcoholics\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003ePublished during the same year as A.A.’s historic 20th Anniversary International Convention in St. Louis, the Second Edition belongs to one of the defining transitional periods in early Alcoholics Anonymous history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eheavily used and worn historical copy\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e showing substantial evidence of age, handling, and moisture exposure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original blue cloth boards show considerable staining, discoloration, rubbing, soiling, and general surface wear. There is pronounced wear and fraying at the corners, board edges, and head and foot of the spine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original gilt \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA.A. Publishing Inc.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e spine lettering remains visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book has experienced significant moisture exposure. Water staining, discoloration, and tide marks are visible on the binding, endpapers, and throughout portions of the text block, particularly along the margins and lower portions of pages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe signed front endpaper containing Bill Wilson’s inscription and the accompanying signatures shows staining and age-related wear but remains clearly legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe interior exhibits additional signs of use, age toning, scattered staining, and occasional markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe volume remains together and readable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe original dust jacket is not present.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the complete condition of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccompanying Provenance \u0026amp; Historical Material\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSeveral pieces of material that were preserved together at the rear of the book accompany it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWilliam H. Winegar Provenance Statement — June 11, 2004\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA signed statement documenting Winegar’s membership in Group #3 beginning in 1954, his possession of the book since 1957, his sponsorship relationship and friendship with Jim Masterson, and Masterson’s role in obtaining the signatures in New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJames Masterson Obituary\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA newspaper obituary preserved with the book documenting Masterson’s life, sobriety beginning in 1951, decades of involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous, service on A.A.’s Board of Trustees from 1963–1967, and chairmanship of the 1965 International Convention in Toronto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Pettiness Prayer”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA vintage typewritten\/photocopied prayer sheet preserved with the other material at the rear of the book. No specific authorship or historical provenance is attributed to this piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p6\"\u003eThese materials will remain together with the Big Book as part of its surviving historical record.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is far more than a Bill Wilson-signed copy of an early Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt preserves a documented chain connecting \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSacramento Group #3, William Winegar, Jim Masterson, Bill Wilson, and a remarkable collection of people involved in the developing General Service structure of Alcoholics Anonymous in 1957.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAt its center remains Bill Wilson’s message to the Sacramento group:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“To Sacramento #3 — In remembrance and gratitude — Ever Bill.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the exact condition of the book, inscriptions, signatures, and accompanying provenance material.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49968680829170,"sku":null,"price":12500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/IMG-7659.png?v=1787600051","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-second-edition-first-printing-1955-signed-bill-w","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}