Alcoholics Anonymous Original Multilith

Alcoholics Anonymous Original Manuscript

Pre-publication Multilith Printing of Alcoholics Anonymous

In mid-February of 1939, a pre-publication multilithed copy of what, two months later, would become the “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous was circulated to members, relatives, friends, ministers, psychologist and doctors for their comments and critiques. The exact number of printed copies is unclear – numbers of 100, 300 and (most commonly) 400 are mentioned in the records. These copies were sent out as “loan” copies with every expectation they would be returned with annotations – after which they would be destroyed. Many copies were returned and disposed of according to this plan, but a handful of others were not – resulting in no more than 50 – and perhaps as few as 25 copies – surviving.

The archival records are overwhelming and conclusive in support of a mid-February of 1939 date of printing for this multilith.

Given that there are two states of the title page for the Multilith printed copies (one with and one without an apostrophe in the word “Alcoholics”), it is likely that there were two press runs, the first of 100 copies with the apostrophe (as here) and another of 300 copies without the apostrophe – thereby neatly satisfying the different reports of 100, 300 and 400 copies.

With the title “Alcoholic’s Anonymous” (not “Alcoholics” as in other copies and what was printed in the first printing of the Big Book). There is also not an index page for the book chapters or the Personal Stories section in this copy. It is believed that the change to the title page and index pages were added for the second press run of multilith copies.

PROVENANCE: Included with the multilith is a prescription note of Girard F. Oberrender, M.D. from New York City. On the note, it appears that he gave this multilith away as a gift as he writes, “Thought you might want this.” It is likely that this was his copy that he received in early 1939 when AA sent out these multiliths to members of the medical community to critique and make suggestions before publication.

CONDITION: This Alcoholics Anonymous Original Multilith is in very good condition. It has experienced some wear with the cover, first blank page, and the title page detached from the spiral binding. The red cover is torn into two pieces with a portion missing. Note that the almost-never-seen red card cover (but not marked “Loan Copy” as some were supposed to have been) is included here. Overall, an amazingly well-preserved and historically important copy of this major work that has saved the lives of so many people since its publication 85 years ago.