{"product_id":"bill-w-signed-twelve-steps-twelve-traditions-december-11-1963","title":"Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions — Inscribed by Bill W. on His 29th Sobriety Anniversary","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFifth Printing, April 1962 | Original Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInscribed “NY \/ Dec 11\/63” — 29 Years After Bill Wilson’s Last Drink\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis remarkable copy of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e was personally inscribed by Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eBill Wilson on December 11, 1963 — exactly 29 years after his last drink on December 11, 1934.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWritten boldly in blue ink across the front free endpaper, Bill’s inscription reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDear Carolyn —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFor your fine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eexample of all\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ethat’s A.A. Please\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ehave my deep\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003egratitude —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIn affection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDec 11\/63\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe inscription is unusually warm and substantial. Bill expresses his \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“deep gratitude”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt is that date that makes this copy particularly special.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecember 11 — A Remarkable Date in Bill Wilson’s Life\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecember 11, 1934\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Bill Wilson took his last drink before entering Towns Hospital in New York. He would remain sober for the rest of his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eExactly twenty-nine years later, on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecember 11, 1963\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Bill inscribed this copy of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e in New York.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe connection is especially fitting given the book itself. First published in 1953, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e contains Bill’s essays exploring the Twelve Steps of individual recovery and the Twelve Traditions developed to safeguard the unity of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHere, on the anniversary of his own sobriety, Bill inscribed that book to someone he described as a \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“fine example of all that’s A.A.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFifth Printing — April 1962\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy is the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFifth Printing of \u003cb\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services in April 1962.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe copyright page records the early printing sequence from the First Printing of April 1953 through this Fifth Printing of April 1962.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book retains its \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eoriginal blue dust jacket\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe book is in \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003every good overall condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eblue cloth boards\u003c\/span\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eoriginal dust jacket is in very good condition and presents exceptionally well\u003c\/span\u003e. The blue and black design remains bright and attractive, with light rubbing, minor edge and fold wear, and expected signs of handling. The original \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e$2.75 price\u003c\/span\u003e remains present on the front flap.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMost importantly, \u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eBill Wilson’s inscription is exceptionally strong\u003c\/span\u003e, boldly written in blue ink across the front free endpaper and clearly signed and dated:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“NY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eDec 11\/63”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill W.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Fifth Printing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e April 1962\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Blue boards with black cloth spine\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Personally inscribed by Bill W.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecipient:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Carolyn\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInscription:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “For your fine example of all that’s A.A. Please have my deep gratitude”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “In affection \/ Bill”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace \u0026amp; Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e New York, December 11, 1963\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Date:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Bill Wilson’s 29th sobriety anniversary\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Good to Very Good\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSigned copies of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eTwelve Steps and Twelve Traditions\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e are desirable artifacts of Alcoholics Anonymous history, particularly when they contain more than a simple signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis example combines a substantial personal inscription, an original dust jacket, and an extraordinary date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDecember 11, 1963.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTwenty-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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p6\"\u003eFor a collector of important Bill W. material, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ethe date is an inseparable part of the significance of this copy.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50098015469810,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/Twelve_Steps_And_Twelve_Tradition.png?v=1789708383","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/bill-w-signed-twelve-steps-twelve-traditions-december-11-1963","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}