The Co-Founders Collection — Ten Signed First Edition Alcoholics Anonymous Big Books, 1941–1954
The Co-Founders Collection
Ten Signed First Edition Alcoholics Anonymous Big Books, 1941–1954
Recovery Collectibles is pleased to present an extraordinary assembled collection of ten First Edition printings of Alcoholics Anonymous carrying the signatures, inscriptions, presentations, and associations of the people at the center of early Alcoholics Anonymous history.
At the heart of the collection are Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Bill Wilson is represented throughout the collection, while two volumes bring Bill and Dr. Bob together on the same signed leaf. Lois Wilson appears directly within the collection, and Anne Smith is part of the association story of two important co-founder volumes in which her name appears alongside Dr. Bob.
Around that central story is a wider circle of early Fellowship association, including Al Marineau, Mort and Frances Joseph, named recipients, service figures, early A.A. ownership trails, recovery milestones, and other period associations preserved within the books themselves.
These are not simply ten scarce First Edition Big Books placed together.
They are ten individual historical objects preserving the handwriting, presentations, and personal connections of people who helped shape and carry Alcoholics Anonymous through its formative decades.
Ten First Edition Printings
The collection spans March 1941 through August 1954, beginning with the Second Printing and continuing through the final First Edition printing.
Second Printing — March 1941
Bill Wilson · Al Marineau · Mort Joseph · Numerous Additional Signatures
The earliest volume represented in the collection.
The half-title carries a remarkable gathering of signatures, including Bill Wilson, Al Marineau, and Mort Joseph, together with numerous additional names. Bill Wilson’s full-name autograph appears prominently beneath the printed title.
The original blue cloth binding shows age and use, while the interior remains largely clean. The book is accompanied by a reproduction dust jacket.
Also included is a Frank P. Garo FHE authentication dated December 6, 2019, FPG #30020, identifying the item as “Book Signed By Bill Wilson & Others.”
Fourth Printing — March 1943
Bill Wilson · Inscription dated February 14, 1944
An early wartime-era Bill Wilson inscription dated less than a year after publication.
The signed page also carries an A.A. P.O. Box 751, Long Beach, California stamp, giving the copy an additional early Fellowship association.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Fifth Printing — January 1944
Bill Wilson · Lois Wilson · Mort & Frances Joseph · Early Associates
One of the most distinctive association copies in the collection.
A printed Serenity Prayer card tipped into the front of the book is signed around its border by Bill Wilson, Lois Wilson, Frances Joseph, Mort Joseph, Harry Larson, and “Father Frank.”
Preserved inside a First Edition Fifth Printing, the card gives the volume a documentary quality far beyond that of a conventionally signed book.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Ninth Printing — January 1946
Bill Wilson · Dr. Bob Smith · Anne Smith Association
A major co-founder association copy.
Dr. Bob Smith’s inscription appears above a later Bill Wilson inscription dated May 2, 1958. The name “Anne” appears directly with Dr. Bob’s inscription, creating an important association with Anne Smith.
The circumstances and individual authorship of the “Anne” inscription have not been conclusively established.
This volume brings both A.A. co-founders together on the same signed leaf and retains its original dust jacket.
Tenth Printing — August 1946
Bill Wilson · Presentation from Bill & Lois Wilson
A deeply personal presentation copy given only months after publication.
Bill Wilson presented the book to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Imbs on November 25, 1946, explicitly offering the gift from Bill and Lois and expressing their:
“great affection and appreciation.”
The length and warmth of the inscription distinguish this copy from the briefer presentation inscriptions elsewhere in the collection.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Eleventh Printing — June 1947
Bill Wilson · Dr. Bob Smith · Anne Smith Association
A second major co-founder association within the collection.
Bill Wilson’s full-name autograph appears alongside the inscription:
“Anne & Dr. Bob Smith”
The page creates another important association bringing together the Wilson and Smith circles within a single First Edition volume.
The individual authorship of the Anne portion has not been conclusively established.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Twelfth Printing — October 1948
Bill Wilson · “Buddie” Graves · Seattle Association
Bill Wilson inscribed this copy:
“To Buddie — In affection — 3/25/51 Bill”
Surviving ownership information identifies Buddie Graves of Seattle, Washington, preserving a clear personal and geographic Fellowship association alongside Bill Wilson’s inscription.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Thirteenth Printing — February 1950
Bill Wilson · Kansas City Presentation
A warmly inscribed copy presented to Helen in Kansas City on May 30, 1951.
Bill Wilson wrote:
“To Helen — In affection! Bill”
The volume also carries one of the brightest and best-preserved original dust jackets in the collection, giving it especially strong visual presence.
Fifteenth Printing — January 1954
Bill Wilson · Presentation to Walt · Sobriety Chronology
Published during the final year of the First Edition.
Bill Wilson inscribed the volume:
“To Walt — In gratitude, Bill”
Below the inscription is a handwritten chronology beginning “7th September, 1950,” creating a surviving record of recovery milestones or anniversaries.
This volume retains its original dust jacket.
Sixteenth Printing — August 1954
Bill Wilson · Dorothy “Dot” Davidson · Service & G.S.O. Associations
The final First Edition printing.
Bill Wilson inscribed the book to Dorothy “Dot” Davidson, thanking her for her recovery and “dedicated service.”
An affixed memorial slip identifies Davidson with the Brooksville Group and records 48 continuous years of sobriety. Additional General Service Office inscriptions deepen the volume’s service association.
It is a fitting final book in the collection and retains its original dust jacket.
The First Edition and the People Behind It
The significance of this collection does not rest simply on the number of First Edition printings represented.
Its strength is the concentration of people, handwriting, relationships, and early Fellowship history preserved inside the books themselves.
At the center are Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith.
Around them appear Lois Wilson, the association of Anne Smith, Al Marineau, Mort and Frances Joseph, early recipients, service figures, ownership trails, sobriety histories, and other connections that survived within these volumes.
Taken together, the collection presents the First Edition not merely as a publishing history, but through the people who shaped and carried early Alcoholics Anonymous.
Why This Collection Matters
Individually, these are significant signed and association copies of the First Edition Alcoholics Anonymous.
Together, they form something considerably more difficult to recreate: a concentrated collection of First Edition Big Books carrying the handwriting, presentations, and associations of the people closest to the formative life of A.A.
The collection spans thirteen years of First Edition publishing history while preserving multiple layers of association:
Bill Wilson throughout the collection
Two volumes bringing Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith together
Direct representation of Lois Wilson
Anne Smith associations in two important co-founder volumes
Early Fellowship figures and recipients
Recovery and service histories preserved within individual books
The result is more than a group of scarce books.
It is an assembled record of the First Edition years through the people whose handwriting and personal connections remain inside the volumes.
Condition & Documentation
Condition varies by volume and reflects the age, use, and individual history of each book.
Nine of the ten volumes retain original dust jackets. The March 1941 Second Printing is accompanied by a reproduction dust jacket.
Individual books show varying degrees of age-related wear, toning, jacket wear, ownership markings, and other period evidence. These characteristics are documented individually in the collection photography.
The Second Printing is accompanied by a Frank P. Garo FHE authentication dated December 6, 2019, FPG #30020.
Additional high-resolution photographs and documentation are available to serious prospective buyers.
Illustrated Collection Portfolio
Recovery Collectibles has prepared a 14-page illustrated portfolio presenting the collection in detail.
The portfolio includes:
- Individual presentations of all ten First Edition printings
- Detailed photography of signed and inscribed pages
- Book and printing information
- Association context
- Condition information
- Authentication documentation
- Collection overview
Please contact us to request the complete illustrated portfolio.
Collection Details
Title: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism
Edition: First Edition
Printings Represented: Second, Fourth, Fifth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth & Sixteenth
Publication Dates: March 1941–August 1954
Volumes: 10
Principal Associations: Bill Wilson, Dr. Bob Smith, Lois Wilson, Anne Smith association, Al Marineau, Mort & Frances Joseph, named recipients, service figures and early Fellowship associations
Dust Jackets: Nine original dust jackets; Second Printing accompanied by reproduction dust jacket
Authentication: Frank P. Garo FHE documentation accompanies the Second Printing
Offered: As one complete collection
Available for Private Acquisition
$295,000
The Co-Founders Collection is offered intact as a single collection.
Serious inquiries are welcome.
For the complete illustrated portfolio, additional photography, documentation, shipping information, or to discuss acquisition of the collection:
Tim Fitzpatrick
Recovery Collectibles
tim@recoverycollectibles.com
RecoveryCollectibles.com
