Alcoholics Anonymous Comes Of Age | First Printing from 1957
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age
First Printing — 1957
A.A. Publishing, Inc. | Original Dust Jacket
Description
Offered here is an original First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, published in 1957 by A.A. Publishing, Inc.
This important volume tells the story of Alcoholics Anonymous as the Fellowship moved from its earliest years into a more mature international organization. Much of the book grew out of the historic 1955 International Convention in St. Louis, where A.A. marked its twentieth anniversary and formally recognized the transfer of responsibility for the Fellowship from its founders to the broader membership and General Service structure.
Written primarily by Bill W., Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age traces the development of A.A.’s three great legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service. It remains one of the most important historical works published by Alcoholics Anonymous and one of the best primary sources for understanding how the Fellowship developed during its formative decades.
This copy is especially desirable as an original 1957 First Printing and retains its original dust jacket.
Identifying the First Printing
The first printing may be identified by the notation:
“First Edition H-G”
on the copyright page.
First-printing copies were issued under A.A. Publishing, Inc. and Harper & Brothers/Harper publishing imprints. Later printings were issued under Alcoholics Anonymous World Services.
Historical Importance
The book is divided into several major sections covering the growth and development of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Among the most significant material are Bill W.’s expanded discussions of A.A.’s development of:
Recovery — the growth of the Twelve Step program and the early Fellowship.
Unity — the experience that ultimately produced the Twelve Traditions.
Service — the creation and evolution of A.A.’s service structure and the General Service Conference.
The volume also includes material from several important friends and supporters of Alcoholics Anonymous, including Dr. Harry Tiebout, Dr. W. W. Bauer, Father Edward Dowling, Rev. Samuel Shoemaker, and Bernard Smith, each of whom played a significant role in the broader history of A.A.
A later introductory message from Bill W., dated 1967, also explains why the book’s history is arranged around the three Legacies rather than presented as a strict chronological narrative.
Book Details
Title: Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age
Author: Bill W. / Alcoholics Anonymous
Edition: First Edition
Printing: First Printing
Year: 1957
Publisher: A.A. Publishing, Inc.
Format: Hardcover
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket
First Printing Identifier: “First Edition H-G”
Condition
This copy is in good overall condition, with age and use consistent with an original 1957 example.
The hardcover shows general wear from handling and age.
The front free endpaper is missing, having been removed at some point in the book’s history.
The remaining interior is generally clean, with no significant writing or markings noted.
The original dust jacket is present, which is an important feature for this early printing. The jacket is in fair condition and shows age-related wear, including staining, edge wear, rubbing, and small tears.
Despite the missing endpaper and jacket wear, the book remains a solid and historically important example of the scarce first printing.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description and show the exact copy being offered.
Collector’s Note
Original first printings of Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age occupy an important place in an advanced A.A. literature collection.
Where the Big Book records the development of A.A.’s program of recovery, AA Comes of Age documents how the Fellowship itself grew, struggled, organized, and ultimately developed the principles of Recovery, Unity, and Service that continue to define Alcoholics Anonymous.
The presence of the original 1957 dust jacket makes this copy particularly appealing despite the condition flaws.
For a collector building a library of foundational Alcoholics Anonymous publications, this is one of the essential early historical volumes.
