{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-first-edition-fourth-printing-1943-green-cloth","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — First Edition, Fourth Printing (1943) | Green Cloth","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFirst Edition, Fourth Printing (March 1943)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, commonly known as the Big Book. This copy features the desirable \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoriginal green cloth binding\u003c\/span\u003e and is accompanied by a colorful reproduction of the original-style dust jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePublished during World War II, the Fourth Printing represents an important period in A.A.’s early history, when the Fellowship was expanding beyond its beginnings in Akron and New York and introducing its program of recovery to communities throughout the country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Fourth Printing was issued in March 1943, with approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e5,000 copies produced\u003c\/span\u003e. This printing is associated with two different binding colors: green and navy blue. Traditionally, the green binding is identified with the first approximately 3,500 copies, with the remaining 1,500 bound in blue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis printing also documents the Fellowship’s rapid early growth through several important textual changes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePage 27:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The opening of Chapter 2, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThere Is a Solution\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, was revised to refer to thousands of men and women rather than the smaller number of members described in earlier printings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePage 391:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Includes the historical section titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eNow We Are Eight Thousand — June, 1943\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, documenting the growth of Alcoholics Anonymous from approximately 100 members when the Big Book first appeared in 1939.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThese changes make the Fourth Printing an especially interesting example of how the Big Book evolved during A.A.’s earliest years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than Eight Thousand Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Works Publishing Company, New York\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 Fourth 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 March 1943\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original green cloth hardcover with embossed front-cover lettering and gilt spine lettering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Reproduction dust jacket\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook: Good condition.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original green cloth binding shows moderate age-related wear, including rubbing, fading, scattered spotting, and wear at the corners and spine ends. The upper spine has some fraying, and the gilt spine lettering remains legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThere is a handwritten name and address on the front free endpaper. The interior pages show age toning and occasional spotting, consistent with the book’s age. No additional writing or markings are evident in the photographs provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe binding remains intact, and the original green cloth retains its distinctive color and embossed lettering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e A modern reproduction dust jacket featuring the colorful early Big Book design is included. This is \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003enot an original 1943 dust jacket\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of the book’s condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eEarly First Edition Big Books are important surviving artifacts from the formative years of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Fourth Printing is particularly appealing for its wartime publication, distinctive green binding, and historical textual changes documenting the Fellowship’s remarkable growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis 1943 green-cloth copy offers collectors an opportunity to acquire an early First Edition Big Book from a significant period in A.A. publishing history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735717511410,"sku":null,"price":2995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/FB601CB0-8A09-4657-A347-AA9219439517.jpg?v=1792017479","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-first-edition-fourth-printing-1943-green-cloth","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}