Alcoholics Anonymous — Second Edition, Tenth Printing — 1969
Original Dust Jacket | Early A.A. Big Book
Offered here is a Second Edition, Tenth Printing (1969) of Alcoholics Anonymous, the foundational text of the Fellowship commonly known as the Big Book. Published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., this copy retains its original blue dust jacket.
The Tenth Printing appeared during a significant period in Alcoholics Anonymous history, as the Fellowship continued its expansion throughout the United States and around the world.
When the original Big Book was published in 1939, A.A. consisted of fewer than one hundred members. By the introduction of the Second Edition in 1955, membership had grown to more than 150,000, with thousands of groups established internationally.
The Second Edition reflected this remarkable growth. While preserving the original program of recovery, it introduced expanded historical material, additional information about the Fellowship, and a substantially revised collection of personal recovery stories.
By 1969, Alcoholics Anonymous had become an established international fellowship, and the Big Book remained central to carrying its message of recovery.
An Original 1969 Dust Jacket
An important feature of this copy is its original blue Second Edition dust jacket, retaining the familiar lettering and circle-and-triangle emblem associated with the Big Book.
The rear jacket flap bears the printing code 60M–4/69(C), identifying its production in April 1969 and corresponding with the Tenth Printing.
Like other Second Edition jackets, it includes an interesting feature intended to protect the anonymity of its owner. Readers were encouraged to turn the jacket inside out when carrying the book publicly, concealing its identifying cover.
This distinctive feature reflects the importance of personal anonymity within A.A.’s traditions and remains an interesting element of early Big Book dust jackets.
Book Details
Title: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York
Edition: Second Edition, New and Revised
Printing: Tenth Printing
Year: 1969
Binding: Original blue cloth hardcover with gilt spine lettering
Dust Jacket: Original blue Second Edition dust jacket
Dust Jacket Code: 60M–4/69(C)
Condition
Very good hardcover with its original dust jacket.
The original blue cloth hardcover is well preserved, showing minimal handling wear.
The interior pages are clean and well maintained, with no writing or markings noted.
The original dust jacket shows age-related wear, including rubbing along the edges and several small tears. Despite this wear, the jacket remains an attractive example of the original Second Edition design.
Please review all photographs carefully for the exact condition.
Collector Significance
The Second Edition Big Book remained in publication from 1955 until the introduction of the Third Edition in 1976, documenting an important period in the growth of Alcoholics Anonymous.
This 1969 Tenth Printing, accompanied by its original dust jacket, offers collectors a well-preserved example from the Second Edition’s publication history.
The attractive hardcover, clean interior, and surviving original jacket make this a desirable addition to a collection of Alcoholics Anonymous Big Books and recovery history.
