Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, First Printing | April 1939
Original Red Cloth Binding · Works Publishing Company · Reproduction Dust Jacket
Offered here is an original First Edition, First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous, published by the Works Publishing Company in April 1939.
This is the earliest printing of the book that gave Alcoholics Anonymous its name and introduced its program of recovery to the world. Issued when A.A. was still a small and largely unknown fellowship, the First Printing represents the true beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous in published form.
Printed in an unusually large format and bound in red cloth, the volume quickly became known as the “Big Book.” Only a limited number of copies were produced, and surviving examples have become among the most historically significant and desirable books connected with the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Beginning of Alcoholics Anonymous in Print
The 1939 First Printing contains the original presentation of the A.A. program, including the foundational chapters explaining alcoholism, spiritual recovery, the Twelve Steps, and the experience of the fellowship’s earliest members.
Its title page carries the original subtitle:
The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism
The book was published by the Works Publishing Company, the organization created by Bill W. and early A.A. members to finance and distribute the volume.
When this book appeared in April 1939, Alcoholics Anonymous had not yet developed into the worldwide fellowship it would eventually become. The First Printing therefore belongs directly to A.A.’s founding era and preserves the program as it was first presented to the public.
First-Printing Identification
This copy displays the recognized characteristics of the April 1939 First Printing, including:
- Original red cloth binding with gilt lettering
- Works Publishing Company imprint
- April 1939 copyright statement
- The Doctor’s Opinion beginning on page 1
- The original First Printing text and collection of personal stories
- The well-known repeated-line printing error on page 234
- “Lone Endeavor,” a story appearing only in the First Printing
- Ray Campbell’s “An Artist’s Concept,” creator of the original dust-jacket design
Book Details
Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
Common Name: The Big Book
Edition: First Edition
Printing: First Printing
Publication Date: April 1939
Publisher: Works Publishing Company
Place of Publication: New York City
Printer: Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, New York
Binding: Original red cloth hardcover
Lettering: Gilt lettering to front cover and spine
Dust Jacket: Reproduction
Condition
This copy is structurally in very good condition, with a solid binding and a text block that remains firmly held together.
The original red cloth boards show considerable age-related rubbing, surface wear, and fading. The gilt lettering on the front cover remains visible but has experienced substantial rubbing and loss. The spine is more heavily faded, with the gilt lettering now quite faint. There is additional wear and minor fraying at the spine ends, board edges, and corners.
The page edges have naturally darkened with age, and the interior shows general toning consistent with an original 1939 volume.
Most importantly, the interior is heavily marked throughout the book. Numerous pages contain pencil and pen underlining, check marks, brackets, marginal marks, and other study markings. Several preliminary pages and endpapers also contain handwritten notations.
These markings are extensive and should be considered an important part of the condition of this particular copy. At the same time, the volume remains structurally sound and very usable, with the binding maintaining good integrity despite its age and evident history of study and use.
A reproduction dust jacket is included and provides an attractive representation of the famous original First Printing jacket design.
Please review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition, markings, and appearance of this historic volume.
Historical and Collector Significance
The First Edition, First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous is the foundational book of the A.A. movement and one of the most important publications in the history of recovery.
This particular copy has the unmistakable character of a book that was not simply preserved on a shelf, but read, studied, marked, and returned to repeatedly. Its extensive underlining and annotations distinguish it from cleaner examples and provide visible evidence of a long history of use.
For the collector who values originality, historical presence, and the unmistakable character of an early Big Book that was genuinely used, this is a compelling example of the April 1939 First Printing.
An original First Printing of the book that launched Alcoholics Anonymous and permanently changed the history of alcoholism and recovery.
