{"product_id":"alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-fourth-printing-1960-rdj","title":"Alcoholics Anonymous — Second Edition, Fourth Printing (1960)","description":"\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly Second Edition Big Book | Reproduction Dust Jacket (RDJ)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Edition, Fourth Printing (1960) of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the foundational text of the Fellowship commonly known as the Big Book. Published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., this printing represents an early issue of the revised Second Edition, introduced in 1955 during A.A.’s Twentieth Anniversary International Convention in St. Louis, Missouri.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe Second Edition reflected the Fellowship’s extraordinary growth since the original Big Book was published in 1939. While the basic text outlining A.A.’s program of recovery remained substantially unchanged, the revised edition introduced expanded historical information, updated introductory material, and a significantly revised collection of personal recovery stories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eBy 1960, Alcoholics Anonymous had grown to an estimated 300,000 members in more than 8,000 groups across over 80 countries, as documented in the updated Foreword of this printing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis copy retains its original blue cloth binding and is accompanied by a reproduction of the Second Edition dust jacket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIdentifying the Fourth Printing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eUnlike the earliest Second Edition printings, the Fourth Printing is clearly identified on the copyright page with the statement:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Fourth Printing, 1960”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis printing also marks a change in the publisher’s name, with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. replacing Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., which appeared in the first three printings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe updated Foreword includes a footnote documenting the Fellowship’s growth as of 1960, providing another interesting historical detail distinguishing this printing from earlier issues.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous — The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e Second Edition — New and Revised\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Fourth Printing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e 1960\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e Blue cloth hardcover with embossed front cover lettering and gold spine lettering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e Reproduction Dust Jacket (RDJ) — Not Original\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook:\u003c\/b\u003e Very Good overall exterior appearance, with some interior markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe original blue cloth boards retain an attractive, relatively bright color, with light rubbing, minor surface marks, and limited wear along the corners and edges. The embossed front cover lettering remains clearly visible, and the gold lettering on the spine is bright and legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe binding appears sound, with the boards and spine presenting well for a book published in 1960.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe front endpapers and preliminary pages shown are clean, with minor age-related toning. The title page, copyright page, and other interior pages photographed remain well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eAs noted during inspection, there is handwriting on the inside front cover and pencil markings on several pages through approximately page 60. No additional writing, markings, or underlining were observed beyond page 60.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e The book is accompanied by a reproduction of the original Second Edition dust jacket. The jacket presents attractively, with light handling wear. Tape is present at the flap corners, as previously noted.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis is a reproduction dust jacket, not an original 1960 jacket.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003ePlease examine all photographs carefully for additional condition details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector’s Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe 1960 Fourth Printing represents an interesting early stage in the publication history of the Second Edition Big Book, including the transition to Alcoholics Anonymous World Services as publisher.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003eWith its attractive original blue cloth binding, clearly identified printing, and reproduction dust jacket, this copy offers a desirable example of an early Second Edition Big Book for collectors and readers interested in Alcoholics Anonymous history.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67735553638642,"sku":null,"price":175.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/A7DC7AA1-0F97-4312-9F61-6CA56FAF751F.jpg?v=1792013515","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/alcoholics-anonymous-second-edition-fourth-printing-1960-rdj","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}