{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-4th-printing-1960-original-dust-jacket-5","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — Second Edition, Fourth Printing — 1960","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket | Early Second Edition Big Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition, Fourth Printing (1960)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe Fourth Printing appeared just five years after the introduction of the Second Edition in 1955, during a period of remarkable growth for Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWhen the original Big Book was published in 1939, A.A. consisted of fewer than one hundred members. By 1955, the Fellowship had grown to more than 150,000 members, with thousands of groups established throughout the United States and internationally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe Second Edition reflected this transformation. While preserving the original program of recovery, the revised book introduced a new Foreword, expanded historical material, and a substantially revised collection of personal recovery stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBy 1960, Alcoholics Anonymous had become firmly established as an international fellowship, and the Big Book continued to serve as its central text.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis Fourth Printing represents an early stage in the Second Edition’s publication history, offering collectors an example from the first five years of its production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Original 1960 Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAn important feature of this copy is its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoriginal blue Second Edition dust jacket\u003c\/span\u003e, retaining the familiar cream-colored lettering and circle-and-triangle emblem associated with the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe jacket includes a distinctive 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis thoughtful design reflects the importance of personal anonymity within A.A.’s traditions and remains one of the most recognizable features of early Second Edition Big Books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Second Edition, New and Revised\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Fourth Printing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1960\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original blue cloth hardcover with gilt spine lettering\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original blue Second Edition dust jacket\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eVery good hardcover with its original dust jacket.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe original blue cloth hardcover is well preserved, showing minimal handling wear. The binding remains attractive and intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThere are pencil markings on the first page. No other writing, markings, or underlining are noted in the existing condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe original dust jacket is present and shows general edge wear, including a small tear along the bottom of the rear panel. Compared with many surviving jackets from this period, it presents particularly well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the exact condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe early printings of the Second Edition Big Book document an important period in the worldwide expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e1960 Fourth Printing\u003c\/span\u003e, accompanied by its original dust jacket, offers collectors an attractive example from the early years of the Second Edition’s publication history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe well-preserved hardcover and surviving original jacket make this a desirable addition to a collection of Alcoholics Anonymous Big Books and recovery history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47424767885554,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/76331925-ECB8-444C-98EB-32D4F70B74FA.jpg?v=1743209049","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-4th-printing-1960-original-dust-jacket-5","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}