{"product_id":"bill-w-s-32nd-a-a-anniversary-1966-new-york-intergroup-dinner-program","title":"Bill W.’s 32nd A.A. Anniversary — 1966 New York Intergroup Dinner Program","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is an \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eoriginal 1966 program from Bill W.’s 32nd A.A. Anniversary\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, held on October 29, 1966, at the Hotel Americana in New York City.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eProduced for the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e32nd Annual Dinner Meeting of the New York Intergroup Association\u003c\/span\u003e, the program commemorates Bill Wilson’s 32nd A.A. anniversary and lists \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill W., Co-founder\u003c\/span\u003e, among the featured speakers for the evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe front features a striking red-and-yellow design centered around the familiar lowercase “aa,” with the title:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBILL’S 32nd AA ANNIVERSARY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe program is particularly appealing as an intact piece of New York A.A. history, preserving the evening’s speakers, dinner menu, entertainment, and a handwritten message prepared by Bill W. for the occasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Message from Bill W.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe back of the original program features a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ehandwritten message prepared by Bill W. for the occasion\u003c\/span\u003e, in which he writes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1966\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDear Friends —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eLois joins me\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ein deepest thanks\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eto all who share this\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ehappiest of occasions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ewith us.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMay God prosper\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eyou in the days\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eto come, and may\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003ewe be blessed by\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eHis Grace forever —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDevotedly,\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBill’s message was \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eprinted on the programs produced for the 32nd Anniversary Dinner and was part of the original 1966 program design\u003c\/span\u003e. The handwriting shown on this example was therefore not individually written on this particular copy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe message is an especially personal element of the program, with Bill mentioning \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eLois Wilson\u003c\/span\u003e and expressing their gratitude to the friends gathered to share the occasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe 32nd Anniversary Dinner\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe interior identifies the event as the:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e32nd Annual Dinner Meeting — A.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNew York Intergroup Association\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSaturday, October 29, 1966\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHotel Americana — Imperial Ballroom\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe evening’s program included an invocation by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFather Fintan Jerome L., C.P.\u003c\/span\u003e of the Park Madison Group, followed by a welcome from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill B.\u003c\/span\u003e, also of the Park Madison Group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe featured speakers were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Lewis R.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Youngstown, Ohio\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLee A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Rhinelander Group\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill W.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e — Co-founder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe program concluded with a benediction by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRev. George Callahan\u003c\/span\u003e, Minister of the First Presbyterian Church of North Haledon, New Jersey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOpposite the program is the complete dinner menu, including Beef Americana, followed by an announcement of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003edancing in the Royal Ballroom with the Lester Lanin Orchestra\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEvent:\u003c\/b\u003e Bill’s 32nd A.A. Anniversary \/ 32nd Annual Dinner Meeting\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrganization:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e New York Intergroup Association\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e October 29, 1966\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLocation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Hotel Americana, Imperial Ballroom, New York City\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFeatured Speaker:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill W., Co-founder\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original folding dinner program and menu\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecial Feature:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Handwritten message prepared by Bill W. and printed on the programs for the event\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e No — the handwriting was printed as part of the original program\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe program remains complete and presents well for its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe yellow paper shows expected age toning and handling wear, with scattered staining and discoloration, light edge and corner wear, and several small areas of edge loss. The interior program and menu remain clear and fully legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBill W.’s message on the back remains strong and clearly readable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most complete representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis is an appealing piece of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoriginal 1966 Alcoholics Anonymous event ephemera\u003c\/span\u003e, documenting a New York Intergroup celebration honoring A.A. co-founder Bill Wilson.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBeyond simply announcing the event, the program provides a remarkably complete record of the evening: the speakers, location, dinner menu, entertainment, Bill W.’s participation as a featured speaker, and the personal message he prepared for those attending.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe message from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill and Lois Wilson\u003c\/span\u003e, combined with the striking “Bill’s 32nd AA Anniversary” cover and the complete program for the evening, makes this an especially interesting artifact from the later years of Bill Wilson’s life and an excellent addition to a collection focused on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill W., Lois W., New York A.A., or Alcoholics Anonymous history\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67574975693042,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/47A015B2-63CC-41EF-B210-AA110E43C7F4.jpg?v=1790477303","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/bill-w-s-32nd-a-a-anniversary-1966-new-york-intergroup-dinner-program","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}