{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-first-edition-10th-printing-1946-signed-bill-wilson","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, Tenth Printing (August 1946) — Signed by Bill Wilson — Original Dust Jacket","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorks Publishing, Inc. | New York | August 1946\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFirst 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe front free endpaper bears Bill Wilson’s inscription, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Yours! Bill,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e along with additional handwritten names and notations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe book also contains extensive underlining and reader markings throughout, reflecting its history as a working copy of A.A.’s foundational text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance — August 1946\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFirst published in April 1939, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e introduced the Twelve Steps and the personal experiences of the Fellowship’s earliest members to a wider audience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe copyright page confirms \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Tenth Printing, August, 1946,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e with printing by the Cornwall Press in Cornwall, New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned by Bill Wilson\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe front free endpaper contains a large handwritten pencil inscription reading:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Yours! Bill”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe signature is identified by Recovery Collectibles as that of Bill Wilson, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and principal author of the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAdditional 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor collectors, the presence of Bill Wilson’s signature adds a particularly meaningful connection to the early history of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis copy retains its original First Edition dust jacket, featuring the familiar red-and-yellow design with black horizontal bands and the designation \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Tenth Printing”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e printed on the spine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe jacket retains both original flaps, including the publisher’s promotional text, endorsements, and ordering information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOriginal dust jackets are an important consideration when collecting early Big Books, as many surviving copies have lost their jackets through years of regular use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAlthough this jacket exhibits considerable wear, its survival alongside the signed book is a significant feature of this example.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e First Edition\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Tenth Printing\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e August 1946\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Works Publishing, Inc., New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, New York\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original blue cloth hardcover\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original Tenth Printing dust jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill Wilson (Bill W.)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInscription:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “Yours! Bill” on the front free endpaper\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthentication:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Identified by Recovery Collectibles; no third-party authentication certificate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook — Good\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe front free endpaper contains Bill Wilson’s signature and additional handwritten inscriptions and notations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe interior shows age toning and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eextensive underlining and markings throughout the book\u003c\/span\u003e, including passages in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eBill’s Story\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. These markings are an important part of the condition description and should be considered by prospective buyers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe book retains its original binding and presents as a well-used example of this early printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket — Good\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe original dust jacket is substantially intact, retaining both flaps and the distinctive Tenth Printing spine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIt exhibits wear, including rubbing, chipping, and paper loss along the edges and spine extremities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eDespite this wear, the jacket retains its recognizable original design and remains an important component of the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete visual assessment of the book, dust jacket, signature, and interior markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFirst Edition Big Books signed by Bill Wilson are among the most historically meaningful books associated with Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 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.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67744793428210,"sku":null,"price":2995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/2FAAC120-0C3F-4E56-AF1D-DC0C3747C9D2.jpg?v=1792095637","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-first-edition-10th-printing-1946-signed-bill-wilson","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}