Alcoholics Anonymous History Collection — Four Conference-Approved Books with Original Dust Jackets
A.A. Comes of Age | Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers | Pass It On | Experience, Strength and Hope
Offered here is a four-volume collection of Alcoholics Anonymous history, bringing together four important books published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services. Each volume is A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature and is accompanied by its original dust jacket.
Together, these books provide an extensive look at the founding, development, and worldwide growth of Alcoholics Anonymous, the lives of its co-founders, and the personal experiences of members whose stories helped shape the Fellowship.
The collection includes early printings of all four titles, including a 1984 First Printing of Pass It On and a 1980 Second Printing of Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers.
From the earliest meetings in Akron and the experiences of Dr. Bob Smith to Bill Wilson’s efforts to carry the A.A. message around the world, these four volumes complement one another as a historical library of Alcoholics Anonymous.
The Four Books
1. Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age — Second Printing (1967)
A Brief History of A.A. | Original Dust Jacket
First published in 1957, Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age chronicles the Fellowship’s first twenty years, including its beginnings, the development of its principles, and the growth of its service structure.
The book draws heavily upon Bill Wilson’s account of A.A.’s formative years, examining the events and individuals that helped transform a small group of recovering alcoholics into an international Fellowship.
This volume is a Second Printing from 1967, as identified on the copyright page, and retains its original dust jacket.
The earliest printing represented in this collection, it provides the historical foundation for the three accompanying books.
2. Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers — Second Printing (1980)
A Biography, with Recollections of Early A.A. in the Midwest | Original Dust Jacket
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers explores the life of Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, and the development of the Fellowship in Akron, Ohio.
Drawing upon recollections of early members, family, and associates, the book offers an intimate account of Dr. Bob’s life, his partnership with Bill Wilson, and the experiences of the men and women who helped establish A.A. in the Midwest.
It is particularly valuable for its firsthand historical recollections of the Fellowship’s earliest years.
This copy is a Second Printing from 1980, the same year the book was first published, and includes its original dust jacket.
3. Pass It On — First Printing (1984)
The Story of Bill Wilson and How the A.A. Message Reached the World | Original Dust Jacket
Published in 1984, Pass It On is the official A.A. biography of co-founder Bill Wilson.
The book follows Wilson’s life from his early years and struggles with alcoholism through his recovery, his meeting with Dr. Bob, and his decades of work helping establish and expand Alcoholics Anonymous.
Drawing upon historical records, correspondence, and personal recollections, Pass It On provides an extensive account of Bill Wilson’s life and the development of the Fellowship.
This copy is a First Edition, First Printing from 1984, confirmed by the copyright page, and retains its original dust jacket.
As a first printing of one of the Fellowship’s most important historical publications, it is a particularly desirable addition to this four-volume collection.
4. Experience, Strength and Hope — Second Printing (January 2004)
Stories from the First Three Editions of Alcoholics Anonymous | Original Dust Jacket
First published in 2003, Experience, Strength and Hope preserves personal recovery stories that appeared in the first three editions of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book but were subsequently removed as the book was revised.
These accounts provide valuable insight into the experiences of A.A. members across different generations and preserve an important part of the Fellowship’s literary history.
For collectors and researchers, the book offers an opportunity to explore stories that otherwise require consulting earlier editions of the Big Book.
This copy is a First Edition, Second Printing from January 2004, as stated on the copyright page, and includes its original dust jacket.
Book Details
Collection: Four-Volume Alcoholics Anonymous History Library
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Publication Years: 1967, 1980, 1984, and 2004
Bindings: Hardcover
Dust Jackets: Original dust jackets on all four books
Included Volumes:
- Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age — Second Printing, 1967
- Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers — Second Printing, 1980
- Pass It On — First Printing, 1984
- Experience, Strength and Hope — Second Printing, January 2004
Literature Classification: A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature
Quantity: Four books, sold together as one collection
Condition
All four books retain their original dust jackets and exhibit varying degrees of age-related wear.
Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age (1967): The original dust jacket displays substantial wear, including chipping, tears, creasing, and edge losses, particularly along the upper edge and spine extremities. The jacket also shows age toning and surface wear. Interior pages pictured appear clean with light age toning.
Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers (1980): The original dust jacket exhibits noticeable surface rubbing, scuffing, edge wear, and minor chipping. Interior pages pictured appear clean and well preserved.
Pass It On (1984): The original green dust jacket shows moderate wear, including creasing, rubbing, and small tears or chips along the edges and spine extremities. Interior pages pictured appear clean.
Experience, Strength and Hope (2004): The original black dust jacket presents well overall, with light surface wear and minor wear along the edges and corners. Interior pages pictured appear clean.
Please review the accompanying photographs for a detailed representation of the books and their dust jackets.
Collector Significance
These four publications provide complementary perspectives on the history of Alcoholics Anonymous.
A.A. Comes of Age documents the Fellowship’s formative decades. Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers preserves the memories of its earliest members in Akron and the Midwest. Pass It On chronicles the life and work of Bill Wilson, while Experience, Strength and Hope preserves personal stories from the first three editions of the Big Book.
Offered together, they form a substantial historical reference library for A.A. collectors, researchers, archivists, and anyone interested in the people and experiences behind the Fellowship.
All four books are offered together as a single collection, each with its original dust jacket.
