Alcoholics Anonymous Second Edition — Third Printing (1959) with RDJ

Offered here is a Third Printing (1959) of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous—the classic Big Book—paired with a reproduction dust jacket that recreates one of the most unusual anomalies in A.A. publishing history.

The book itself is correctly a Second Edition. The curiosity lies in the jacket design associated with this printing, which famously identifies the book as the “Third Edition” even though the actual Third Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous would not appear until 1976.

That production error has made the 1959 Third Printing especially memorable to collectors.

The 1959 “Third Edition” Dust Jacket Misprint

The original 1959 jacket used with this printing incorrectly stated “Third Edition” on the front and flap.

This was not a true new edition of the Big Book. It remained part of the Second Edition, first introduced in 1955.

For collectors, that mistake creates one of the more recognizable oddities in the publication history of Alcoholics Anonymous: a Second Edition book wearing a jacket that calls itself the Third Edition seventeen years before that edition actually existed.

The dust jacket included with this copy is a reproduction of that misprinted 1959 design, created for protection and display. It is not an original period jacket.

Identifying the Third Printing

The earliest Second Edition printings are not always identified simply by a printing statement on the copyright page, so collectors rely on a combination of bibliographic points.

This copy shows the characteristics associated with the 1959 Third Printing, including:

• Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. identified as the publisher
• Second Edition text and title-page format
• On page xx, “really” is spelled correctly, distinguishing it from the well-known “realy” error found in the First Printing
• The contemporary footnote material refers to approximately 7,000 groups in 1959

These points support identification as the Third Printing of the Second Edition, issued in 1959.

Why the Second Edition Matters

First introduced in 1955, the Second Edition represented the first major revision of the Big Book since its original publication in 1939.

The basic recovery text was retained substantially as it had appeared before, but the surrounding material was updated to reflect the enormous growth of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Important changes included:

• a revised and expanded Foreword
• a heavily updated Personal Stories section
• additional material reflecting A.A.’s growth and worldwide reach
• expanded appendices
• fuller presentation of the Twelve Traditions
• additional statements from medical and religious supporters

The Second Edition therefore became a record of A.A.’s transition from a small early fellowship into a large and increasingly international movement.

The Anonymity Jacket Feature

Second Edition jackets also included one of the more charming practical details in A.A. publishing history.

Readers were advised that, if they wished to preserve anonymity while carrying the book, they could simply turn the dust jacket inside out, leaving a plain exterior visible.

That small design choice reflected how seriously anonymity was woven into everyday A.A. culture during this period.

Condition

This copy is in good condition overall, showing normal signs of age and use while remaining solid and very presentable.

The original blue cloth boards show general shelf wear, light rubbing, and scattered marks consistent with age. The corners and spine ends show some wear, including light fraying. The spine lettering remains visible and attractive.

The front board retains the blind-stamped Alcoholics Anonymous title. Overall color remains good, with some age-related fading and handling wear.

The interior is generally clean and readable with expected age toning. The binding appears intact.

Of particular interest, the rear endpaper bears historical ownership and fellowship markings, including a stamp from the Central California Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Sacramento, California, along with additional names, stamps, and a handwritten 1961 presentation inscription. These markings give the book a tangible connection to A.A. use in the early 1960s and are retained as part of the copy’s history.

The included dust jacket is a reproduction of the 1959 “Third Edition” misprint jacket. It is bright, clean, and highly displayable, but should not be mistaken for an original period jacket.

Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.

Publication Details

Title: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism
Edition: Second Edition
Printing: Third Printing
Year: 1959
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Place of Publication: New York City
Format: Hardcover
Dust Jacket: Reproduction “Third Edition” misprint jacket

For collectors of Big Book variants, the 1959 Third Printing stands out not only as an early Second Edition printing, but also for the unforgettable jacket error that prematurely announced a “Third Edition.”

That combination of bibliographic importance, A.A. publishing history, and the period ownership markings found in this copy makes it an appealing example of one of the most interesting Second Edition variants.