Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions — Inscribed by Bill W. on His 29th Sobriety Anniversary
Fifth Printing, April 1962 | Original Dust Jacket
Inscribed “NY / Dec 11/63” — 29 Years After Bill Wilson’s Last Drink
This remarkable copy of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions was personally inscribed by Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson on December 11, 1963 — exactly 29 years after his last drink on December 11, 1934.
Written boldly in blue ink across the front free endpaper, Bill’s inscription reads:
Dear Carolyn —
For your fine
example of all
that’s A.A. Please
have my deep
gratitude —
In affection
Bill
NY
Dec 11/63
The inscription is unusually warm and substantial. Bill expresses his “deep gratitude” to Carolyn for her “fine example of all that’s A.A.,” before signing simply “Bill” and recording the place and date beneath his signature.
It is that date that makes this copy particularly special.
December 11 — A Remarkable Date in Bill Wilson’s Life
On December 11, 1934, Bill Wilson took his last drink before entering Towns Hospital in New York. He would remain sober for the rest of his life.
Exactly twenty-nine years later, on December 11, 1963, Bill inscribed this copy of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions in New York.
The connection is especially fitting given the book itself. First published in 1953, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions contains Bill’s essays exploring the Twelve Steps of individual recovery and the Twelve Traditions developed to safeguard the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Here, on the anniversary of his own sobriety, Bill inscribed that book to someone he described as a “fine example of all that’s A.A.”
Fifth Printing — April 1962
This copy is the Fifth Printing of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services in April 1962.
The copyright page records the early printing sequence from the First Printing of April 1953 through this Fifth Printing of April 1962.
The book retains its original blue dust jacket.
Condition
The book is in very good overall condition.
The original blue cloth boards remain attractive, showing light age-related fading, a few small spots and minor edge wear. The contrasting black cloth spine is sound, with the gilt lettering remaining bright and clearly visible.
The original dust jacket is in very good condition and presents exceptionally well. The blue and black design remains bright and attractive, with light rubbing, minor edge and fold wear, and expected signs of handling. The original $2.75 price remains present on the front flap.
The interior is complete and shows expected age toning and scattered signs of use. There are some pencil markings and reader annotations within portions of the text, including the Step Ten chapter.
Most importantly, Bill Wilson’s inscription is exceptionally strong, boldly written in blue ink across the front free endpaper and clearly signed and dated:
“NY Dec 11/63”
Please review all photographs for the most accurate representation of condition.
Book Details
Title: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Author: Bill W.
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Printing: Fifth Printing
Publication Date: April 1962
Binding: Blue boards with black cloth spine
Dust Jacket: Original
Signed: Personally inscribed by Bill W.
Recipient: Carolyn
Inscription: “For your fine example of all that’s A.A. Please have my deep gratitude”
Signed: “In affection / Bill”
Place & Date: New York, December 11, 1963
Historical Date: Bill Wilson’s 29th sobriety anniversary
Condition: Good to Very Good
Collector’s Note
Signed copies of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are desirable artifacts of Alcoholics Anonymous history, particularly when they contain more than a simple signature.
This example combines a substantial personal inscription, an original dust jacket, and an extraordinary date.
December 11, 1963.
Twenty-nine years after Bill Wilson took his last drink, he wrote those words of gratitude in the book containing his reflections on the principles of recovery and the Fellowship that had grown from his own experience.
For a collector of important Bill W. material, the date is an inseparable part of the significance of this copy.
