{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-second-edition-third-printing-1959","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous Second Edition — Third Printing (1959) with RDJ","description":"\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThird Printing (1959) of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e—the classic Big Book—paired with a reproduction dust jacket that recreates one of the most unusual anomalies in A.A. publishing history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe book itself is correctly a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. The curiosity lies in the jacket design associated with this printing, which famously identifies the book as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Third Edition”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e even though the actual Third Edition of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e would not appear until 1976.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThat production error has made the 1959 Third Printing especially memorable to collectors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 1959 “Third Edition” Dust Jacket Misprint\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe original 1959 jacket used with this printing incorrectly stated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Third Edition”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e on the front and flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis was not a true new edition of the Big Book. It remained part of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, first introduced in 1955.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor collectors, that mistake creates one of the more recognizable oddities in the publication history of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: a Second Edition book wearing a jacket that calls itself the Third Edition seventeen years before that edition actually existed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe dust jacket included with this copy is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ereproduction of that misprinted 1959 design\u003c\/span\u003e, created for protection and display. It is not an original period jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIdentifying the Third Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis copy shows the characteristics associated with the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1959 Third Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, including:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e identified as the publisher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSecond Edition text and title-page format\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOn page xx, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“really” is spelled correctly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, distinguishing it from the well-known “realy” error found in the First Printing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe contemporary footnote material refers to approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e7,000 groups in 1959\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThese points support identification as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eThird Printing of the Second Edition, issued in 1959\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy the Second Edition Matters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFirst introduced in 1955, the Second Edition represented the first major revision of the Big Book since its original publication in 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eImportant changes included:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea revised and expanded Foreword\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea heavily updated Personal Stories section\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eadditional material reflecting A.A.’s growth and worldwide reach\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eexpanded appendices\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efuller presentation of the Twelve Traditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eadditional statements from medical and religious supporters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe Second Edition therefore became a record of A.A.’s transition from a small early fellowship into a large and increasingly international movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Anonymity Jacket Feature\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eSecond Edition jackets also included one of the more charming practical details in A.A. publishing history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eReaders were advised that, if they wished to preserve anonymity while carrying the book, they could simply \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eturn the dust jacket inside out\u003c\/span\u003e, leaving a plain exterior visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThat small design choice reflected how seriously anonymity was woven into everyday A.A. culture during this period.\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\"\u003eThis copy is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003egood condition overall\u003c\/span\u003e, showing normal signs of age and use while remaining solid and very presentable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe front board retains the blind-stamped \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e title. Overall color remains good, with some age-related fading and handling wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe interior is generally clean and readable with expected age toning. The binding appears intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOf particular interest, the rear endpaper bears historical ownership and fellowship markings, including a stamp from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCentral California Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, Sacramento, California\u003c\/span\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe included dust jacket is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ereproduction of the 1959 “Third Edition” misprint jacket\u003c\/span\u003e. It is bright, clean, and highly displayable, but should not be mistaken for an original period jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous: The 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\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Second Edition\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Third Printing\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 1959\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.\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\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Reproduction “Third Edition” misprint jacket\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor collectors of Big Book variants, the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1959 Third Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e stands out not only as an early Second Edition printing, but also for the unforgettable jacket error that prematurely announced a “Third Edition.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThat 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49954037170418,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/E3D12960-43C3-4BC5-B072-56DEE9E753B5.jpg?v=1787250571","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-big-book-second-edition-third-printing-1959","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}