Alcoholics Anonymous — Third Edition, First Printing (1976) — Original Dust Jacket
Offered here is a Third Edition, First Printing (1976) of Alcoholics Anonymous, published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York, with its original blue dust jacket. The copyright page states “First Printing, 1976,” and the rear jacket flap carries the code 150M-4/76(A).
The Third Edition was the first new edition of the Big Book since 1955. Prepared as A.A. continued to grow internationally, it retained the established explanation of the recovery program while updating the personal stories to reflect a broader membership. Thirteen new stories were included in the revised selection.
This first printing marks the introduction of the edition that remained in publication until the Fourth Edition appeared in 2001. The matching period jacket is an important feature of the copy, although its wear and paper loss require particular attention.
Book Details
- Title: Alcoholics Anonymous
- Edition: Third Edition, New and Revised
- Printing: First Printing, 1976
- Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York
- Binding: Blue hardcover with embossed front lettering and gilt spine lettering
- Dust jacket: Original
- Rear jacket-flap code: 150M-4/76(A)
- ISBN: 0-916856-00-3
Condition
Book: The blue binding shows light rubbing, scattered small marks, and wear at the corners and spine ends, including small abrasions. The embossed cover lettering and gilt spine lettering remain legible. The photographed pages show light age toning. A short blue ink mark appears in the outer margin of the Third Edition foreword on page xxi.
Original dust jacket: Rubbing, scuffing, creasing, edge tears, and chipping are present. There is conspicuous paper loss at the upper spine/back-panel junction, with smaller losses at the spine ends and corners. The spine is rubbed and faded relative to the front panel. Both flaps are present, including the rear flap with the printing code.
Please examine all photographs for the condition of this particular copy.
Collector Notes
A first printing of the Third Edition with its original jacket, useful for a collection tracing the Big Book across editions. The jacket code supports the identification, while the disclosed ink mark and jacket losses distinguish the condition of this individual copy.
