Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book — First Edition, Fifteenth Printing — January 1954 — Original Dust Jacket
The Last Planned Printing of the First Edition Big Book
Offered here is an original First Edition, Fifteenth Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, published in January 1954 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., complete with its original red and yellow dust jacket.
The Fifteenth Printing occupies an interesting place in A.A. publishing history. It was intended to be the final printing of the First Edition as preparations continued for the introduction of the Second Edition in 1955. However, continued demand for the Big Book required an additional Sixteenth Printing later in 1954.
This printing also marks an important publishing transition, appearing under the name Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., rather than the original Works Publishing, Inc.
Published during the final year of the First Edition, this copy represents the closing chapter of the Big Book’s original fifteen-year publishing history, beginning in April 1939.
Book Details
- Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
- Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Edition: First Edition
- Printing: Fifteenth Printing
- Publication Date: January 1954
- Binding: Navy blue cloth hardcover with gilt spine lettering and blind-stamped front cover
- Dust Jacket: Original red and yellow Fifteenth Printing dust jacket
- Printer: The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, New York
Condition
Book: Very good overall. The original navy blue cloth boards retain strong color, with light rubbing, minor surface marks, and wear at the corners and spine ends. The gilt spine lettering remains bright and legible. The binding appears secure, and the interior pages are clean and well preserved, with light age-related toning. No writing or ownership markings are visible in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Good condition. The original Fifteenth Printing dust jacket retains its distinctive red and yellow coloring and remains substantially complete, including both flaps. There is noticeable edge wear, rubbing, creasing, and scattered small chips and tears, particularly along the upper edges, corners, and spine ends. Some surface discoloration and age-related wear are present.
Please review all photographs carefully for the exact condition of the book and original dust jacket.
Collector Significance
The Fifteenth Printing is particularly appealing to collectors for its position near the end of the First Edition era, its connection to the transition in A.A.’s publishing organization, and its place immediately before the introduction of the Second Edition in 1955.
An attractive January 1954 First Edition Big Book, complete with its original Fifteenth Printing dust jacket and a well-preserved interior.
