{"product_id":"clancy-got-well-jay-r-clancy-judge-ray-harrison-1951-first-edition-signed-inscribed-with-1953-signed-letter","title":"Clancy Got Well — Jay R. Clancy (Judge Ray Harrison) — 1951 First Edition — Signed \u0026 Inscribed with 1953 Signed Letter","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOffered here is a particularly appealing association copy of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the 1951 recovery memoir written by Des Moines judge \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRay Harrison\u003c\/span\u003e under the pseudonym \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJay R. Clancy\u003c\/span\u003e, accompanied by an original 1953 typed letter signed by Harrison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePublished by McGrevey Book Store in Des Moines, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is Harrison’s personal account of alcoholism and recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous. Written during the early expansion of A.A. in the Midwest, the book offers a candid firsthand view of alcoholism, recovery, and the role of A.A. during a formative period in the Fellowship’s history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe book itself reflects Harrison’s direct A.A. connection. Its dedication reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“This book is humbly dedicated to My A.A. Sponsor, Don F., and my wife.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned \u0026amp; Inscribed by Ray Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe front free endpaper bears the ownership name:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCurtis R. Wright\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBelow it, Harrison has personally inscribed the book:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBest Wishes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003efrom Clancy —\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eRay Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe inscription is especially desirable because Harrison signs using both his pseudonym, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Clancy,”\u003c\/span\u003e and his real name, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRay Harrison\u003c\/span\u003e, directly connecting the authorial identity used in the book with the man behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal 1953 Ray Harrison Letter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIncluded with the book is an original typed letter on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eRay Harrison — Attorney at Law\u003c\/span\u003e letterhead, dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFebruary 28, 1953\u003c\/span\u003e, from his office in the Fleming Building in Des Moines, Iowa.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAddressed to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Dear Morris,”\u003c\/span\u003e the letter concerns Harrison’s travel arrangements for an upcoming visit to Tyler, Texas. He details his Braniff Airways itinerary, travel expenses, and plans for the trip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOf particular interest is Harrison’s opening line:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“What the hell, we alkies do things funny, two letters in one day.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThat informal reference gives the letter a distinctly personal recovery connection and offers a glimpse of Harrison speaking privately and humorously within the language of recovery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe letter is signed in blue ink:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRay\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe letter dates to just two years after the publication of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, making it a particularly appropriate companion to the signed book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout Ray Harrison\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eRay Harrison was a Des Moines attorney and judge who became closely associated with alcoholism recovery and education in Iowa. Writing as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJay R. Clancy\u003c\/span\u003e, he used \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e to share his own experience with alcoholism and recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHis later work remained closely connected with alcoholism treatment, rehabilitation, and public education, making \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e an important early piece of Midwest recovery literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Jay R. Clancy — pseudonym of Ray Harrison\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e McGrevey Book Store\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Des Moines, Iowa\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1951\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e First Edition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Red cloth hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Yes — personally inscribed by Ray Harrison\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Ownership name of Curtis R. Wright\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccompanied By:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original typed and signed Ray Harrison letter dated February 28, 1953\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 book is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eGood to Very Good\u003c\/span\u003e vintage condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe original red cloth remains attractive, with black cover illustration and lettering. There is moderate edge and corner wear, light rubbing and soiling, and a small area of surface loss on the front board. The spine remains readable and the binding is intact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe interior shows expected age toning and occasional spotting. The front free endpaper contains the previous owner’s name and Harrison’s signed inscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe accompanying 1953 letter remains in very good condition with original mailing folds, light age toning, and minor handling wear. The typed text and blue-ink signature remain clear and legible.\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=\"p4\"\u003eUnsigned copies of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClancy Got Well\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e are collectible as early independent literature connected to Alcoholics Anonymous, but this example is significantly more desirable because it combines several elements rarely encountered together:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea 1951 First Edition\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea personal inscription from Ray Harrison\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eHarrison signing with both \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e“Clancy”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eRay Harrison\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ean original signed 1953 letter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ea direct recovery-related remark within the correspondence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003etwo separate examples of Harrison’s handwriting and signature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTogether, the book and letter form a compelling small archive connected to one of the more unusual early personal accounts of recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67574921756914,"sku":null,"price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/627363AB-59F5-42A2-90E3-DEADA8B23D9A.jpg?v=1790474343","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/clancy-got-well-jay-r-clancy-judge-ray-harrison-1951-first-edition-signed-inscribed-with-1953-signed-letter","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}