{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-5th-printing-1962-original-dust-jacket","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — Second Edition, Fifth Printing — 1962","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal Dust Jacket | Early Second Edition Big Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition, Fifth Printing (1962)\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=\"p2\"\u003eThe Fifth Printing was issued just seven 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=\"p2\"\u003eWhen the original Big Book appeared in 1939, A.A. consisted of fewer than one hundred members. By the publication of the Second Edition in 1955, the Fellowship had grown to more than 150,000 members in approximately 6,000 groups, with A.A. becoming firmly established internationally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe Second Edition reflected this transformation. While preserving the original program of recovery contained in the first 164 pages, the revised book introduced a new Foreword, an expanded historical account of the Fellowship, and a substantially revised collection of personal stories representing a broader range of experiences in recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis 1962 Fifth Printing represents an early stage in the Second Edition’s publication history, as Alcoholics Anonymous continued its expansion throughout the United States and around the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Original Second Edition Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn important feature of this copy is its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoriginal blue dust jacket\u003c\/span\u003e, retaining the familiar gold lettering and circle-and-triangle emblem associated with the early Second Edition Big Books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original jacket also includes an interesting feature designed to protect the anonymity of its owner. Readers were encouraged to turn the jacket inside out when carrying the book publicly, allowing them to conceal its identifying cover.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis thoughtful design reflects the importance of personal anonymity in A.A.’s traditions and remains a distinctive feature of early Big Book dust jackets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe rear jacket flap bears the printing code \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e40M–4\/62(C)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, consistent with the book’s 1962 publication.\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=\"p2\"\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 Fifth Printing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1962\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\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting Identification:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Fifth Printing, 1962, as stated on the copyright page\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket Code:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 40M–4\/62(C)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGood condition overall, with the original dust jacket present.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe blue cloth hardcover shows general handling wear, rubbing, and some staining and discoloration to the boards. The binding remains tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original dust jacket retains its attractive blue coloring and gold lettering. It shows age-related wear, including rubbing, edge wear, and tears, particularly along the edges and corners.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe front free endpaper has been removed and is missing. This is the most notable condition issue affecting the book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe remaining interior pages are generally clean and well preserved, with light age-related toning. No significant writing or markings are reported in the original description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the exact condition and appearance.\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=\"p2\"\u003eEarly printings of the Second Edition Big Book offer collectors a tangible connection to one of the most important periods in Alcoholics Anonymous history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e1962 Fifth Printing\u003c\/span\u003e, retaining its original dust jacket, is an appealing example from the early years of the Second Edition’s publication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eDespite the missing front endpaper and general age-related wear, the presence of the original jacket makes this a worthwhile addition to a collection of early Alcoholics Anonymous Big Books.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48051283263730,"sku":null,"price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/F82609D6-D0C5-49D0-8EFB-5BC606FC5BCD.jpg?v=1760676811","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-5th-printing-1962-original-dust-jacket","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}