Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, Tenth Printing (August 1946) — Signed by Bill Wilson — Original Dust Jacket
Works Publishing, Inc. | New York | August 1946
Offered here is a First Edition, Tenth Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, published in August 1946 by Works Publishing, Inc., signed by A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson (Bill W.) and retaining its original red-and-yellow dust jacket.
This copy combines three important features of early Alcoholics Anonymous collecting: a First Edition Big Book from the Fellowship’s formative years, its original dust jacket, and a handwritten signature from the man principally responsible for writing the book.
The front free endpaper bears Bill Wilson’s inscription, “Yours! Bill,” along with additional handwritten names and notations.
The book also contains extensive underlining and reader markings throughout, reflecting its history as a working copy of A.A.’s foundational text.
Historical Significance — August 1946
First published in April 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous introduced the Twelve Steps and the personal experiences of the Fellowship’s earliest members to a wider audience.
By August 1946, when this Tenth Printing was published, A.A. had grown considerably from its beginnings in Akron, Ohio, in 1935. The Fellowship had celebrated its tenth anniversary the previous year, and the Big Book had become an essential resource for new groups forming throughout the United States and beyond.
The Tenth Printing belongs to this important period of expansion, when Bill Wilson and other early members were helping establish the principles and service structure that would guide A.A.’s future.
The copyright page confirms “Tenth Printing, August, 1946,” with printing by the Cornwall Press in Cornwall, New York.
Signed by Bill Wilson
The front free endpaper contains a large handwritten pencil inscription reading:
“Yours! Bill”
The signature is identified by Recovery Collectibles as that of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and principal author of the Big Book.
Additional handwriting appears above and below Bill’s signature, including a name and a reference to Surfside, California. These notations have not been conclusively identified, and the circumstances surrounding the signing remain unknown.
The signature has been identified through our experience examining and handling original Bill Wilson signatures. It has not been independently authenticated by a third-party authentication service.
For collectors, the presence of Bill Wilson’s signature adds a particularly meaningful connection to the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Original Dust Jacket
This copy retains its original First Edition dust jacket, featuring the familiar red-and-yellow design with black horizontal bands and the designation “Tenth Printing” printed on the spine.
The jacket retains both original flaps, including the publisher’s promotional text, endorsements, and ordering information.
Original dust jackets are an important consideration when collecting early Big Books, as many surviving copies have lost their jackets through years of regular use.
Although this jacket exhibits considerable wear, its survival alongside the signed book is a significant feature of this example.
Book Details
- Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
- Edition: First Edition
- Printing: Tenth Printing
- Publication Date: August 1946
- Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc., New York
- Printer: Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, New York
- Binding: Original blue cloth hardcover
- Dust Jacket: Original Tenth Printing dust jacket
- Signed: Bill Wilson (Bill W.)
- Inscription: “Yours! Bill” on the front free endpaper
- Authentication: Identified by Recovery Collectibles; no third-party authentication certificate
Condition
Book — Good
The original blue cloth binding exhibits considerable age-related wear, including rubbing, fading, surface marks, and fraying at the corners and spine ends. The gilt spine lettering is significantly faded, while the embossed lettering on the front cover remains visible.
The front free endpaper contains Bill Wilson’s signature and additional handwritten inscriptions and notations.
The interior shows age toning and extensive underlining and markings throughout the book, including passages in Bill’s Story. These markings are an important part of the condition description and should be considered by prospective buyers.
The book retains its original binding and presents as a well-used example of this early printing.
Original Dust Jacket — Good
The original dust jacket is substantially intact, retaining both flaps and the distinctive Tenth Printing spine.
It exhibits wear, including rubbing, chipping, and paper loss along the edges and spine extremities.
Despite this wear, the jacket retains its recognizable original design and remains an important component of the book.
Please review all photographs carefully for a complete visual assessment of the book, dust jacket, signature, and interior markings.
Collector Significance
First Edition Big Books signed by Bill Wilson are among the most historically meaningful books associated with Alcoholics Anonymous.
This August 1946 Tenth Printing offers an appealing combination of early publication history, an original dust jacket, and a handwritten signature from A.A.’s co-founder.
While the book shows substantial evidence of use, it has survived with the features that make it particularly interesting to collectors: its original cloth binding, original Tenth Printing dust jacket, and Bill Wilson’s inscription.
A signed First Edition Big Book from the formative years of Alcoholics Anonymous, preserving a direct connection to its co-founder and the early growth of the Fellowship.
