Complete Second Edition Big Book Set - 18 Volumes (1955-1974)
Complete Second Edition Big Book Set
Alcoholics Anonymous
All 16 Second Edition Printings Represented — 18 Volumes 1955–1974
Original Dust Jackets Throughout
Offered here is a complete and carefully assembled set of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, spanning the full printing history of the Second Edition from its landmark 1955 debut through the final Sixteenth Printing in 1974.
This collection represents all sixteen printings of the Second Edition across eighteen volumes, with the additional volumes accounting for the important early variants found within the first three printings. These early Second Edition states are among the most nuanced and desirable areas of Big Book collecting, particularly because the earliest Second Edition printings do not state their printing number on the copyright page.
The Second Edition marked a defining moment in A.A. history. First released in 1955, it preserved the original basic text of the 1939 Big Book while substantially expanding the surrounding material to reflect A.A.’s extraordinary growth. The revised edition introduced enlarged front matter, an historical sketch, additional recommendations from religion and medicine, a larger appendix including the A.A. Traditions, and a significantly revised Personal Story section.
This set documents the complete evolution of the Second Edition: from the scarce July 1955 Convention First Issue, through the standard 1955 First Printing, the circa 1957 Second Printing, both known 1959 Third Printing dust jacket/spine variants, and every subsequent numbered printing issued by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. through 1974.
Each volume retains an original Second Edition dust jacket, with printing-specific jacket states, codes, membership updates, and identifying points noted below.
Collector Highlights
This set includes:
- The scarce July 1955 Second Edition First Printing, First Issue, released at the St. Louis International Convention.
- The original First Issue dust jacket with the rare convention-only “free examination” paragraph on the back flap.
- A release-day inscription dated July 1, 1955.
- The standard 1955 First Printing with regular First Printing dust jacket.
- The circa 1957 Second Printing, identified by correction of the “realy/really” textual point.
- Both known 1959 Third Printing jacket/spine variants: silver spine lettering and gold spine lettering.
- The famous 1959 dust jacket error incorrectly labeling the book as “Third Edition.”
- The 1960 Fourth Printing, the first Second Edition printing issued under Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
- Original publisher-issued bookmark insert retained with the Fourth Printing.
- Complete Fifth through Sixteenth Printing run, 1962–1974.
- Printing-specific dust jacket codes and front-flap membership updates documented throughout.
- Original dust jackets retained across all eighteen volumes.
Historical Significance of the Second Edition
When the Second Edition was introduced in 1955, A.A. had grown from fewer than 100 early members in 1939 into a worldwide Fellowship. The basic program text, pages 1–165, remained substantially unchanged, preserving the original message of the First Edition. The surrounding material, however, was significantly revised and expanded.
Among the major Second Edition changes were:
- Re-edited and enlarged front matter.
- An expanded historical sketch.
- Additional recommendations from religion and medicine.
- A larger appendix recording the A.A. Traditions.
- Updated contact and service information.
- A greatly revised Personal Story section.
The story section was expanded to thirty-seven case histories, adding approximately 110,000 words of new material. Special attention was drawn to Part II, “They Stopped in Time,” intended for those questioning whether they were alcoholic and whether A.A. might be for them.
The Second Edition therefore represents both continuity and transformation: the original recovery text remained intact, while the book was enlarged to reflect A.A.’s emergence as an international movement.
The Early Unstated Printings and Key Variants
The first three printings of the Second Edition, issued from 1955 to 1959 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., do not state their printing number on the copyright page. Identification depends on a combination of textual points, dust jacket states, publisher imprints, production details, and known errors.
This set includes the major early Second Edition forms:
- July 1955 First Printing, First Issue / Convention Issue
- 1955 First Printing / regular issue
- circa 1957 Second Printing
- 1959 Third Printing / silver spine lettering variant
- 1959 Third Printing / gold spine lettering variant
- 1960 Fourth Printing / first A.A.W.S. imprint, with bookmark insert
These first six volumes carry the greatest bibliographic and collector significance within the set.
Volume One
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — First Printing, First Issue July 1955
Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Original First Issue Dust Jacket
An authentic First Issue, First Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, released at the 1955 International Convention in St. Louis, where the Second Edition made its official debut.
This copy is especially notable for its front endpaper inscription dated July 1, 1955, the day of release:
“To a wonderful sponsor RVE(?) from Wes 7/1/55”
Although the removable convention “white band” is not present, this copy is identifiable as the scarce Convention First Issue by its original dust jacket state and internal textual markers.
First Issue Identification
The key identifying feature is the original First Issue dust jacket. The jacket front cover is labeled “Second Edition,” with the publisher listed as A.A. Pub. Inc. on the spine and back flap.
Most importantly, the back flap contains the scarce convention-only “free examination” paragraph:
“This book may be ordered from the publisher upon a free examination basis. Examine for seven days and if not satisfied that the book will be helpful return and money (including postage) will be refunded.”
This paragraph was removed after the convention issue, making it one of the most important identifiers of the July 1955 First Issue jacket.
Internal textual markers include:
- Published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Page xx, line 6: “really” misspelled as “realy.”
- Page 16 asterisk: “A.A. is now composed of nearly 6000 groups (1955).”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Minor wear to boards; spine firm and intact. Front endpaper inscription dated July 1, 1955. No other writing, markings, or underlining noted.
Dust Jacket: Original First Issue dust jacket present and intact, with visible wear consistent with age.
This is one of the cornerstone volumes of the set.
Volume Two
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — First Printing 1955
Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Original Dust Jacket
An authentic 1955 First Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. This is the standard First Printing issue following the special July 1955 Convention First Issue.
Because the earliest Second Edition printings do not state their printing number, identification relies on the dust jacket state and internal textual points.
Identification Markers
The original dust jacket is the correct regular 1955 First Printing state:
- Front cover labeled “Second Edition.”
- Publisher listed as A.A. Pub. Inc. on spine and back flap.
- Back flap does not include the convention-only “free examination basis” paragraph.
The absence of that paragraph distinguishes this copy from the July 1955 Convention First Issue jacket.
Internal textual markers include:
- Published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Page xx, line 6: “really” misspelled as “realy.”
- Page 16 asterisk: “A.A. is now composed of nearly 6000 groups (1955).”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Minor wear to boards; spine firm and intact. Handwritten notation on front endpaper. No other writing, markings, or underlining noted.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present and intact, with wear consistent with age. Pencil writing present on back flap.
Volume Three
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — Second Printing circa 1957
Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Original Dust Jacket
An authentic Second Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, generally attributed to circa 1957, complete with its original dust jacket.
The First and Second Printing jackets share the same basic design, so identification depends primarily on internal textual markers.
Identification Markers
The dust jacket is consistent with the First/Second Printing style:
- Front cover labeled “Second Edition.”
- Publisher listed as A.A. Pub. Inc. on spine and back flap.
- Back flap does not include the convention-only “free examination basis” paragraph.
Internal textual markers include:
- Published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Page xx, line 6: “really” spelled correctly.
- Page 16 asterisk: “A.A. is now composed of nearly 6000 groups (1955).”
The key textual distinction between the First and Second Printings is the correction of the page xx typo from “realy” to “really.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Minor wear to boards; spine firm and intact. Name written on front endpaper with a small strip of old tape residue. No other writing, markings, or underlining noted.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present and intact, with wear consistent with age.
Volume Four
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — Third Printing 1959
Variant 1 — Silver Spine Lettering
Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Original Misprinted “Third Edition” Dust Jacket
An authentic 1959 Third Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, designated here as Variant 1 due to its uncommon silver spine lettering. Most 1959 Third Printings are encountered with gold spine lettering, making the silver-lettered variant the scarcer of the two.
This printing is especially notable for one of the best-known dust jacket errors in Big Book collecting.
Key Characteristics
The original dust jacket is misprinted on the front cover as:
“Third Edition”
This is not a Third Edition Big Book. The true Third Edition was not published until 1976. This 1959 issue remains part of the Second Edition and is correctly identified as the Second Edition, Third Printing.
Dust jacket features include:
- Front cover incorrectly labeled “Third Edition.”
- Publisher listed as A.A. Pub. Inc. on spine and back flap.
- Jacket membership statement updated to reflect growth to over 250,000 members.
- Silver spine lettering variant.
Internal textual markers include:
- Published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Page xx, line 6: “really” spelled correctly.
- Page 16 asterisk: “A.A. is now composed of some 7,000 groups (1959).”
The updated 1959 group-count statement distinguishes the Third Printing from the earlier 1955 and circa 1957 printings.
Condition
Book: Very Good. Minor wear to boards; spine firm and intact. No writing, markings, or underlining noted.
Dust Jacket: Original misprinted dust jacket present and intact, with edge wear and tears consistent with age.
Collector Note
The 1959 “Third Edition” jacket error is one of the most recognizable Second Edition production anomalies. The silver spine lettering makes this copy a particularly desirable 1959 variant.
Volume Five
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — Third Printing 1959
Variant 2 — Gold Spine Lettering
Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Original Misprinted “Third Edition” Dust Jacket
An authentic 1959 Third Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, designated here as Variant 2 due to its gold spine lettering, the more commonly encountered of the two known 1959 spine-lettering variations.
Like the silver-lettered variant, this copy carries the famous misprinted “Third Edition” dust jacket.
Key Characteristics
The original dust jacket is incorrectly labeled “Third Edition” on the front cover, despite the book itself being part of the Second Edition. The actual Third Edition of the Big Book was not published until 1976, making this 1959 jacket error a well-documented and collectible feature.
Dust jacket features include:
- Front cover incorrectly labeled “Third Edition.”
- Publisher listed as A.A. Pub. Inc. on spine and back flap.
- Jacket membership statement updated to reflect growth to over 250,000 members.
- Gold spine lettering variant.
Internal textual markers include:
- Published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
- Page xx, line 6: “really” spelled correctly.
- Page 16 asterisk: “A.A. is now composed of some 7,000 groups (1959).”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Some wear to boards; spine firm and intact. No writing, markings, or underlining noted. Age-consistent page toning.
Dust Jacket: Original misprinted dust jacket present and intact, with edge wear and tears, including one tear on the cover. Staining present on the cover.
Collector Note
Together with the silver-lettered variant, this gold-lettered copy completes the known 1959 Third Printing representation within the set.
Volume Six
Alcoholics Anonymous
Second Edition — Fourth Printing
1960
Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Original Dust Jacket
With Publisher-Issued Bookmark Insert
The Fourth Printing of the Second Edition Big Book, issued in 1960, is the first printing published under the new imprint Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Earlier Second Edition printings were issued by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., making this Fourth Printing an important transitional volume in the publishing history of the Big Book.
This copy also includes the original publisher-issued bookmark insert that accompanied Fourth Printings. The bookmark contains ordering information for A.A. publications and is infrequently found still present, adding to the completeness and collector appeal of this volume.
Identification Features
Key features include:
- Stated Fourth Printing, 1960.
- First Second Edition printing under Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
- Publisher listed as Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. on spine and back flap.
- Dust jacket front flap notes A.A. membership had grown to more than 300,000.
- Publisher’s blue cloth binding with gilt spine titling.
- Original publisher-issued bookmark insert present.
Condition
Book: Very Good. Minimal wear to boards; gilt spine titling clear and legible. Interior clean, with no writing or markings noted. Binding tight and square.
Dust Jacket: Original jacket present, with light to moderate edge wear.
Ephemera: Original publisher-issued bookmark insert present.
Volumes Seven Through Eighteen
Numbered A.A.W.S. Printings, 1962–1974
The remaining twelve volumes complete the full numbered Second Edition run issued by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. These later printings are important not only as part of the complete production sequence, but also because their dust jackets document continuing A.A. growth through updated membership statements and printing-specific jacket codes.
Volume Seven
Fifth Printing — 1962
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 40M—462 (C)
The copyright page states “Fifth Printing, 1962.” The page 16 asterisk updates A.A.’s growth to some 9,000 groups, and the Foreword footnote notes more than 9,000 groups in over 80 countries, with estimated membership of more than 300,000.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 40M—462 (C). The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 300,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner/edge wear, and a few small surface marks. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamping visible. Spine firm and intact. Interior pages show age-consistent toning. Prior owner name “Ken O” written on front free endpaper, with tape residue and light offsetting also present. No other writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate age-related wear including rubbing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and several closed tears. Some soiling and toning to flaps and lighter areas. Front flap retains original $4.50 price; back flap includes A.A.W.S. publisher information and code 40M—462 (C).
Volume Eight
Sixth Printing — 1963
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 50M–663 (C)
The copyright page states “Sixth Printing, 1963,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 50M–663 (C). The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 300,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to the spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate wear consistent with age. Jacket shows rubbing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and several tears, including wear at the spine ends, corners, and along the panel edges. A more noticeable area of tearing and chipping is present along the right edge of the front panel near the flap fold. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 50M–663 (C).
Volume Nine
Seventh Printing — 1965
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 50M–365 (C)
The copyright page states “Seventh Printing, 1965,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 50M–365 (C). The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor edge and corner wear, and light rubbing to the spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains present, though somewhat dulled with age. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show age-consistent toning, with some light toning/offsetting to the endpapers. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with light to moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, small chips, and a few short tears, especially along the top and bottom edges and flap folds. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 50M–365 (C).
Volume Ten
Eighth Printing — 1966
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 50M–666 (C)
The copyright page states “Eighth Printing, 1966,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 50M–666 (C), an identifying point specific to Eighth Printing dust jackets. The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to the spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show age-consistent toning. Front free endpaper has pencil notation at the upper corner, including prior price notation. No other writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and several tears. More notable wear is present at the upper right corner of the front panel and along the flap folds, with chipping at corners and spine ends. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 50M–666 (C).
Volume Eleven
Ninth Printing — 1967
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 50M–11/67 (C)
The copyright page states “Ninth Printing, 1967,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 50M–11/67 (C), the correct identifying notation for this Ninth Printing jacket. The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor edge and corner wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. Endpapers show mild toning/spotting. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and several tears, most notably along the spine ends, top edge, and panel folds. There is chipping and paper loss at the upper spine area, with additional smaller losses along the lower edge and corners. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 50M–11/67 (C).
Volume Twelve
Tenth Printing — 1969
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 60M–4/69 (C)
The copyright page states “Tenth Printing, 1969,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 60M–4/69 (C). The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 400,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show age-consistent toning, with some toning and light spotting to the endpapers. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with light to moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, small chips, and several short tears, including wear at the corners, spine ends, and along the top and bottom edges. A small chip is visible near the top edge of the front panel, with additional wear at the lower front corner and flap fold. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 60M–4/69 (C).
Volume Thirteen
Eleventh Printing — September 1970
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 65M–9/70 (C)
The copyright page states “Eleventh Printing, 1970,” with printing by The Cornwall Press, Inc., Cornwall, N.Y.
The original dust jacket retains the $4.50 price and back-flap code 65M–9/70 (C). The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 475,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. Endpapers show some toning, spotting, and light offsetting. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with light to moderate wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, light creasing, small chips, and several short tears, particularly along the spine ends, corners, and panel edges. There is some soiling and age toning to the flaps and lighter areas. Front flap retains the original $4.50 price; back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 65M–9/70 (C).
Volume Fourteen
Twelfth Printing — 1971
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 40M–3/71 (C)
The copyright page states “Twelfth Printing, 1971.”
The original dust jacket has back-flap code 40M–3/71 (C), the correct identifying notation for the Twelfth Printing dust jacket. The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 475,000.”
Issued in the year of Bill W.’s death, this printing also carries added historical resonance for many A.A. collectors.
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. Endpapers show mild toning and light spotting, with a small area of discoloration visible near the inner hinge. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with light to moderate wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, small chips, and several short tears, especially along the top edge, spine ends, and corners. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 40M–3/71 (C).
Volume Fifteen
Thirteenth Printing — 1972
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 100M–1/72 (C)
The copyright page states “Thirteenth Printing, 1972.”
The original dust jacket has back-flap code 100M–1/72 (C), the correct identifying notation for the Thirteenth Printing dust jacket. The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 500,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains clear and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. Endpapers show some light toning and spotting. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and multiple short tears, especially along the spine folds, top edge, corners, and panel edges. There is heavier rubbing and wear along the spine and rear flap fold, with some small areas of paper loss and abrasion. Flaps show age toning and light soiling. Back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 100M–1/72 (C).
Volume Sixteen
Fourteenth Printing — 1973
Original Dust Jacket
Jacket Code: 100M–2/73 (C)
The copyright page states “Fourteenth Printing, 1973.”
The original dust jacket has back-flap code 100M–2/73 (C), the correct identifying notation for the Fourteenth Printing dust jacket. The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 575,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains bright and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages show light age-consistent toning. Endpapers show some mild toning/spotting, and there is a visible rectangular offset/shadow on the rear free endpaper, likely from something previously laid in or stored there. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, creasing, small chips, and short tears, especially along the top edge, corners, spine ends, flap folds, and panel edges. There is a small chip/tear at the upper front corner area and light paper loss along some edges. Flaps show light toning and minor soiling. Back flap includes the A.A.W.S. publisher information and jacket code 100M–2/73 (C).
Volume Seventeen
Fifteenth Printing — 1973
Original Dust Jacket
No Bottom Back-Flap Printing Code
The copyright page states “Fifteenth Printing, 1973.”
The original dust jacket is present. Unlike earlier Second Edition jackets, the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Printing dust jackets do not carry a bottom back-flap printing code, which is an identifying point for these later Second Edition examples.
The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 650,000.”
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards with light general wear, minor corner and edge wear, and light rubbing to spine ends. Gilt spine lettering remains bright and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears firm and intact. Interior pages are clean overall with light age-consistent toning. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, light creasing, and small chips/short tears along the edges, corners, spine ends, and flap folds. Cream lettering remains strong and highly presentable. Flaps show light toning and minor handling wear. No bottom back-flap printing code is present, consistent with the Fifteenth Printing jacket.
Volume Eighteen
Sixteenth Printing — 1974
Original Dust Jacket
No Bottom Back-Flap Printing Code
The copyright page states “Sixteenth Printing, 1974.”
This is the final printing of the Second Edition before the Third Edition was introduced in 1976. The original dust jacket is present and, like the Fifteenth Printing jacket, does not carry a bottom back-flap printing code.
The front flap notes that membership had grown “from 100 to more than 725,000,” documenting the continued expansion of A.A. during the final years of the Second Edition.
Condition
Book: Very Good. Blue cloth boards show light general wear, minor rubbing, and some wear to the spine ends and corners. Gilt spine lettering remains bright and legible. Front cover blind-stamped title is visible. Binding appears sound and intact. Interior pages are clean overall with light age-consistent toning. No writing, markings, or underlining observed in the photographed pages.
Dust Jacket: Original dust jacket present, with moderate age-related wear. Jacket shows rubbing, surface scuffing, edge wear, creasing, and several small chips/short tears along the edges, corners, spine ends, and folds. A visible tear is present near the upper front panel area, with additional wear along the top and bottom edges. Cream lettering remains strong and attractive. Flaps show light toning and handling wear. No bottom back-flap printing code is present, consistent with the Sixteenth Printing jacket.
Dust Jacket Codes and Membership Statements
The dust jackets in this set also document the changing membership language used across the Second Edition printings.
- Fifth Printing, 1962: 40M—462 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 300,000.”
- Sixth Printing, 1963: 50M–663 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 300,000.”
- Seventh Printing, 1965: 50M–365 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
- Eighth Printing, 1966: 50M–666 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
- Ninth Printing, 1967: 50M–11/67 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 350,000.”
- Tenth Printing, 1969: 60M–4/69 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 400,000.”
- Eleventh Printing, 1970: 65M–9/70 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 475,000.”
- Twelfth Printing, 1971: 40M–3/71 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 475,000.”
- Thirteenth Printing, 1972: 100M–1/72 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 500,000.”
- Fourteenth Printing, 1973: 100M–2/73 (C); membership “from 100 to more than 575,000.”
- Fifteenth Printing, 1973: no bottom back-flap printing code; membership “from 100 to more than 650,000.”
- Sixteenth Printing, 1974: no bottom back-flap printing code; membership “from 100 to more than 725,000.”
These details are important collector identification points and help confirm the chronological progression of the jackets.
Overall Condition Summary
Overall, the books are in Very Good condition, with age-consistent wear, toning, and handling. Bindings appear sound and intact throughout, with publisher’s blue cloth boards and gilt spine lettering present. Several volumes have minor owner marks, endpaper notations, tape residue, toning, spotting, or offsetting as specifically noted above.
The original dust jackets show varying degrees of age-related wear, including rubbing, edge wear, creasing, chips, short tears, flap toning, and occasional staining or paper loss. The jackets remain highly important to the set, both visually and bibliographically, because many of the key Second Edition identification points appear on the jackets rather than the books themselves.
Please review all photos closely for condition specifics.
Collector Note
Complete Second Edition Big Book runs are difficult to assemble, especially with original dust jackets retained throughout and with the early unstated printings properly represented. This set is especially strong because it includes the scarce July 1955 First Issue, the regular 1955 First Printing, the circa 1957 Second Printing, both 1959 “Third Edition” jacket variants, the transitional 1960 Fourth Printing with original bookmark insert, and every numbered A.A.W.S. printing through the final Sixteenth Printing of 1974.
For the serious Big Book collector, A.A. historian, or institutional archive, this is a substantial and highly detailed representation of the complete Second Edition publishing history.
