{"product_id":"dr-bob-smith-signed-letter-ed-webster-1946","title":"Dr. Bob Smith Signed Letter to Ed Webster Following Publication of the Little Red Book","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTwo-Page Autograph Letter Signed on Dr. Bob’s Personal Stationery\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOnly weeks after the publication of what would become one of the most influential companion books in Alcoholics Anonymous history, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDr. Robert Holbrook Smith—“Dr. Bob,” co-founder of A.A.—sat down in Akron and wrote this deeply personal letter to its author, Ed Webster.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDecember 29, 1946\u003c\/span\u003e, the letter preserves Dr. Bob’s first known written response to Webster following publication of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn Interpretation of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program of the Twelve Steps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the work that would soon become widely known as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eWritten across two sides of Dr. Bob’s personal medical stationery, the letter combines important A.A. publishing history with the warmth and familiarity of a private exchange between friends.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIts most significant passage reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I have enjoyed your little book very much \u0026amp; know that it will prove to be of a lot of help to many.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e— Dr. Bob Smith, December 29, 1946\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis brief statement stands as a remarkable early endorsement of a book that would go on to help generations of A.A. members study and better understand the Twelve Steps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Bob’s Early Response to the \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eEd Webster’s \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn Interpretation of the Alcoholics Anonymous Program of the Twelve Steps\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e was first published in 1946 as a practical guide to the spiritual principles and application of the Twelve Steps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDr. Bob had reviewed and helped edit the work before publication. In this letter, he responds directly to the completed book and expresses his belief that it would be “of a lot of help to many.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe wording is especially noteworthy. Dr. Bob refers to the publication simply as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“your little book,”\u003c\/span\u003e reflecting a moment before the familiar title \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e had become firmly established in A.A. vocabulary.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe letter therefore documents not only Dr. Bob’s personal reaction to Webster’s work, but also the earliest life of a publication that would become one of the most recognized and widely used companions to the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Gift Between Friends\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe letter opens with Dr. Bob thanking Webster for a group of semi-precious stones, or “boules,” that had arrived safely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHe explains that his jeweler planned to take the stones to New York to determine how they might best be used, adding that he believed the red stone would likely become a pendant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis exchange offers a rare glimpse into the personal friendship between Dr. Bob and Ed Webster. According to family history, one of the stones was later incorporated into a ring that was passed down to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDr. Bob’s son, Robert Smith Jr.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThat detail gives the letter an unusually intimate connection to the Smith family beyond its significance in A.A. publishing history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Personal Glimpse into Dr. Bob’s Life\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBeyond the discussion of Webster’s book, the letter captures Dr. Bob in the ordinary circumstances of daily life during the final years of his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHe mentions receiving numerous letters and cards from friends associated with “camp,” including references to several individuals by name. He expresses regret that he and Anne would likely not attend the following year and notes their plans to leave for Florida for a month.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe letter closes warmly:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Love to Hazel”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Most Sincerely, Dr. Bob”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThese lines reveal the affection and familiarity shared between the Smith and Webster families, transforming the document from an important historical record into a deeply personal artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWhy This Letter Matters\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eMany founder-era letters survive, but relatively few capture a defining moment in the development of A.A. literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis letter records Dr. Bob’s immediate reaction to a newly published Twelve Step guide that would become one of the most enduring companion books in Alcoholics Anonymous history. It preserves his handwritten endorsement, his friendship with the author, and a candid glimpse into his personal life—all within a single document.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIts importance rests not merely in Dr. Bob’s signature, but in the historical content of the letter itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p6\"\u003eIt connects:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDr. Bob Smith\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEd Webster\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe 1946 publication of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eearly interpretation of the Twelve Steps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ethe personal relationships behind formative A.A. literature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eFor collectors of founder correspondence, early A.A. publishing history, and important association material, this is an exceptional document.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDocument:\u003c\/b\u003e Autograph Letter Signed\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecipient:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Ed Webster\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e December 29, 1946\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Akron, Ohio\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Two handwritten sides on Dr. Bob’s personal medical stationery\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eStationery Heading:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “Dr. R. H. Smith — Surgeon”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignature:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e “Most Sincerely, Dr. Bob”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSubject Matter:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The newly published \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, semi-precious stones sent by Webster, correspondence from friends, camp plans, and an upcoming trip to Florida\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p7\"\u003eThe letter is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003every good historical condition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBoth handwritten sides are complete and legible. The paper shows expected age toning, original fold lines, scattered handling wear, and several small areas of staining, particularly near the margins. These condition issues are consistent with a personal letter dating from 1946 and do not interfere with the principal text or signature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of the document’s condition, handwriting, folds, staining, and overall presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\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\"\u003eThis is far more than a signed letter from Dr. Bob.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt preserves a specific moment in A.A. publishing history: Dr. Bob’s first known written response to Ed Webster after publication of the book that became the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eLittle Red Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. His words—\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“I have enjoyed your little book very much \u0026amp; know that it will prove to be of a lot of help to many”\u003c\/span\u003e—carry extraordinary significance when viewed against the book’s later influence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eCombined with its personal references, family connections, and warm closing, the letter presents Dr. Bob not only as a co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, but as a friend, correspondent, and careful supporter of a work he believed would help others.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA museum-quality association piece and a centerpiece document for an advanced collection of Alcoholics Anonymous manuscripts, founder material, or early Twelve Step literature.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49848744182002,"sku":null,"price":24000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/IMG-6330.png?v=1785121085","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/dr-bob-smith-signed-letter-ed-webster-1946","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}