Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, First Printing (1939) | Reproduction Dust Jacket
Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, First Printing (1939) | Reproduction Dust Jacket
Publisher: Works Publishing Company
Publication Year: April 1939
Edition: First Edition, First Printing
Binding: Red Cloth Hardcover (Original 1939 Binding)
Dust Jacket: Reproduction of the original “Circus Jacket”
Condition: Good — staining and wear to boards; missing front free endpaper; interior clean; newspaper clippings affixed to rear pastedown; structurally sound
Pages: Complete (except for missing front free endpaper)
Description
Offered here is an authentic First Edition, First Printing (April 1939) copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, the foundational text of Alcoholics Anonymous—universally known as the “Big Book.”
This extremely scarce printing consisted of only approximately 4,650 copies, making it the most limited and most historically important printing of all AA editions.
This example retains its original red cloth binding, as issued in 1939, and is accompanied by a high-quality reproduction of the famous red-and-yellow “circus” dust jacket, designed by AA member and artist Ray Campbell.
Key First Printing Points
Red cloth boards with “Alcoholics Anonymous” in gilt on front cover and spine.
1939 on title page with no additional printings listed.
Page 1 = The Doctor’s Opinion (moved to Roman numeral pages in later editions).
Typos present, including the known double-printed line on page 234 (unique to the First Printing).
“Lone Endeavor” story appears in the back — only included in the First Printing.
Printed at Cornwall Press, Cornwall, N.Y.
Large format with wide margins—part of the effort to justify the original $3.50 sale price.
Appendix includes organizational contact details for the Alcoholic Foundation.
Only 4,650 copies were produced. Many were discarded, lost, or destroyed over time, making surviving examples extremely desirable to collectors of AA history, medical history, and early recovery literature.
Condition Notes
Covers: Red cloth with noticeable staining and spotting. Spine gilt faded; corners bumped; mild fraying at head/foot.
Interior: Front free endpaper missing (common in well-used 1939 copies). No writing beyond faint historical pencil marks. Text pages clean, bright, and well-preserved for age. Tight binding. Two period newspaper clippings about alcoholism taped to inside rear cover—an interesting piece of provenance.
Dust Jacket: Reproduction of the original circus jacket (not vintage).
Please inspect all photos for the most accurate representation of condition.
Historical Significance
The 1939 First Printing is the most coveted edition of the Big Book. A few key reasons:
It marks the birth of AA literature, printed when the organization was barely four years old.
Bill W. and Hank P. personally managed the writing, editing, and fundraising.
The printer reluctantly produced only 4,650 copies due to fear AA couldn’t pay its bill.
Contains stories removed from all later editions (including “Lone Endeavor”).
Represents AA in its rawest, earliest form—before revisions, expansions, or structural changes.
This is the cornerstone collectible for AA historians and Big Book collectors.
Summary
A genuine 1939 First Edition, First Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous with a reproduction dust jacket. Despite its wear and missing front endpaper, the internal text block is remarkably clean, and the book remains a historically significant artifact from the earliest days of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A rare opportunity to own a foundational piece of AA history.
