{"product_id":"bill-w-handwritten-letter-nell-wing-empress-of-england","title":"Handwritten Letter from Bill W. to Nell Wing","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePersonal Travel Correspondence Written Aboard the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEmpress of England\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an original handwritten letter from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous co-founder\u003cb\u003e Bill Wilson to Nell Wing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, his longtime secretary, trusted associate, and later the first archivist of the Alcoholics Anonymous General Service Office.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWritten in Bill’s own hand on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCanadian Pacific Empress of England stationery\u003c\/span\u003e, the undated letter offers a wonderfully personal glimpse into the everyday working relationship between Bill and Nell. Rather than a formal piece of A.A. correspondence, this is the kind of practical, familiar communication that passed between two people who worked closely together for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill begins simply:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“Nell Dear—\u003cbr\u003eThe trip still goes wonderfully, and we send love to all.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHe explains that the ship is expected to dock on Thursday, likely around noon or one o’clock, but cautions Nell that clearing Customs could add several hours. He asks her to determine when the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eEmpress\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is expected to dock and to notify a contact in Bedford Hills accordingly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe letter continues with another small assignment. Bill mentions that he has enclosed a note for a woman named Helen and asks Nell to locate her address and telephone her regarding its arrival. He closes the letter affectionately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“Much love,\u003cbr\u003eBill”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Personal Look at Bill W. and Nell Wing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNell Wing occupied a unique place in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous. She served for many years as Bill Wilson’s secretary and worked closely with him during an enormously important period in A.A.’s development. She would later become the first archivist of the General Service Office, helping preserve the records and correspondence that document the Fellowship’s early history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat relationship gives this letter significance beyond its contents.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHere we see Bill not writing an article, developing an A.A. principle, or addressing the Fellowship, but simply communicating with Nell while away from home—sharing travel details, delegating small responsibilities, sending greetings, and relying upon her to keep things moving in his absence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe language is relaxed and familiar throughout. His opening “Nell Dear,” the reference to “we” sending love to everyone, the practical instructions concerning his arrival, and the affectionate “Much love, Bill” create an unusually intimate piece of Bill Wilson correspondence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor the collector, it is precisely this ordinary quality that makes the letter so appealing. It preserves a small moment from the day-to-day life surrounding Bill W. and the people closest to his work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLetter Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Bill Wilson (Bill W.), co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecipient:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Nell Wing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Undated; headed “Thursday”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original handwritten correspondence\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStationery:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Canadian Pacific — \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eEmpress of England\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \/ Air Mail\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Two handwritten sides\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignature:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Signed “Bill”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContent:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Personal travel arrangements, arrival instructions, Customs timing, telephone messages, and personal greetings\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe surviving stationery itself adds another layer of interest, documenting that the letter was written while Bill was traveling aboard or in connection with the Canadian Pacific liner \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eEmpress of England\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe letter remains in very good condition overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe handwriting is light but remains substantially legible throughout. The paper shows expected light handling and age-related wear, including original folds consistent with correspondence. There are no major tears or losses visible in the letter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition, handwriting, and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAn exceptional piece of original Alcoholics Anonymous history—\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ehandwritten correspondence from Bill Wilson to Nell Wing that captures the personal working relationship between A.A.’s co-founder and one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures in the preservation of its history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49870979072242,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/IMG-6950.png?v=1786552702","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/bill-w-handwritten-letter-nell-wing-empress-of-england","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}