An Interpretation Of The Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program - 1947

An Interpretation Of The Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program. This version was published two years before including the title “The Little Red Book”. This book was printed by Coll-Webb Company.

This is a printing from 1947 as stated in Roman numerals on the title page. We have been able to verify that there were a total of three different printings of the book done in 1947. This is the third 1947 printing likely done in November or December of that year. (Please read the information further below about authenticating 1947 printings.)

This book cover and spine have experienced some light wear. There is a strip of clear tape on the spine. There are obituaries taped into the front pages of the book. There is handwriting and notes on several pages throughout the book. There is a strip of tape run down the binding at the title page.

The book was nicknamed “The Little Red Book,” and eventually adopted that name in 1949. The author was Ed Webster, who got sober in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941. He and Barry Collins formed their own publishing company, called Coll-Webb Co. which distributed this book and others to members of AA until Ed's death in 1971.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions!

Authenticating 1947 Printings:

First 1947 Printing: The title of the book on the title page is correct and reads “An Interpretation of The Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program”. 1947 is stated in Roman numerals on the title page. The copyright page identifies the printing number as “Second Printing January, 1947”. The “Author’s Note” page has a short one paragraph note and only one word change from the August 1946 first printing of the book.

Second 1947 Printing: The title of the book on the title page is correct and reads “An Interpretation of The Twelve Steps of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program”. 1947 is stated in Roman numerals on the title page. The copyright page identifies the printing number as “Second Printing January, 1947”. The “Author’s Note” page has a slightly expanded one paragraph note.

Third 1947 Printing: The title of the book on the title page contains an error and reads “An Interpretation of Alcoholics Anonymous Program of the Twelve Steps”. 1947 stated in Roman numerals on the title page. The copyright page does not identify a printing number. The “Author’s Note” page has been expanded to a three paragraph full page note.