{"product_id":"exceptionally-rare-1949-dr-bob-handwritten-letter-copy","title":"Exceptionally Rare 1949 Dr. Bob Handwritten Letter","description":"\u003ch3 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExceptionally Rare 1949 Dr. Bob Handwritten Letter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTo Detroit A.A. Pioneer Sarah J. Klein\u003cbr\u003eWith Original Envelope, JSA Authentication \u0026amp; Historical Presentation Materials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered here is an extraordinarily scarce and meaningful artifact from early Alcoholics Anonymous history: an original handwritten letter from \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr. Robert Holbrook “Dr. Bob” Smith\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, cofounder of Alcoholics Anonymous, dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eApril 19, 1949\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, written personally to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMrs. Sarah “Sadie” J. Klein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of Detroit, Michigan.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is a deeply significant piece of A.A. history, not only because handwritten material from Dr. Bob is exceptionally rare, but because of who he was writing to. Sarah J. Klein played an important role in the early development of Alcoholics Anonymous in Detroit, helping support and steady the young Fellowship during its earliest years in that city.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis offering includes the original handwritten letter, the original Akron postmarked envelope addressed to Sarah Klein, a JSA Letter of Authenticity, historical photographs, and a copy of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Healing Light\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the spiritual book title referenced in the letter.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFew outside specialized A.A. history circles know the important role Sarah J. Klein played in the founding and survival of Alcoholics Anonymous in Detroit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen Archie Trowbridge — often remembered as Detroit A.A. #1 — began carrying the message in the late 1930s, he was newly sober and largely alone in the effort. Sarah Klein, a nonalcoholic, stepped forward to help provide support, structure, hospitality, and steadiness.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer home became an early unofficial center of A.A. activity in Detroit, complete with telephone lines for incoming calls from suffering alcoholics. She helped receive visitors, coordinate correspondence, encourage meetings, and support the fragile beginnings of the Fellowship in the city. Many early Detroit members later recognized that without Sarah’s help, A.A. in Detroit may have struggled to take root.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHer service and spiritual grounding brought her into personal friendship and correspondence with major early A.A. figures, including Dr. Bob, Bill W., and Anne Smith. This letter is a powerful surviving example of that relationship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout This Letter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWritten during the final year of Dr. Bob’s life, this April 19, 1949 letter expresses warm appreciation for a spiritual book Sarah had sent him.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr. Bob writes that the book was “certainly most kind and thoughtful” of her to send and says he is enjoying the reading “highly especially.” He notes that the material may be very helpful and expresses hope that his understanding and faith may prove sufficient.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn the letter, Dr. Bob also reflects with humility on spiritual teaching, perseverance, application, and the need for continued guidance and persistence. The tone is personal, grateful, and spiritually sincere — very much in keeping with the warmth and humility so often associated with Dr. Bob by early A.A. members.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter is written on Dr. Bob’s professional letterhead:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr. R. H. Smith\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurgeon\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e810 Second National Building\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkron 8, Ohio\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original envelope is addressed by hand to:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMrs. Sara J. Klein\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e202 Longwood Pl.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetroit 3, Mich.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt bears an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAkron, Ohio postmark dated April 20, 1949\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded in This Offering\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis historical grouping includes:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal handwritten letter from Dr. Bob to Sarah J. Klein, dated April 19, 1949\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOriginal envelope addressed to Sarah Klein with April 20, 1949 Akron postmark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJSA Letter of Authenticity, Certification No. ZZ35395\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFramed photographic portrait of Dr. Bob\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFramed photograph of Sarah Klein holding a First Edition A.A. Big Book\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy This Piece Matters\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis is far more than a signed document. It is a direct personal connection between A.A.’s cofounder and one of the nonalcoholic supporters who helped early A.A. take root in Detroit.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe letter reflects several important themes in early A.A. history:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDr. Bob’s personal spiritual life and reading\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe friendship between early A.A. leaders and nonalcoholic helpers\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spread of A.A. from Akron into Detroit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe importance of women and nonalcoholic supporters in early Fellowship growth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe private correspondence network that helped support A.A. during its formative years\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause Dr. Bob passed away in November 1950, this 1949 letter comes from the final chapter of his life and service.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe handwritten letter is in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003every good condition for its age\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The ink remains clear and legible, with no loss of content. The page shows expected fold lines, light toning, and natural handling wear consistent with original 1940s correspondence.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe original envelope is present and bears the April 20, 1949 Akron postmark. The envelope shows age wear, toning, handling marks, and tearing at the flap\/opening area, but remains intact and historically important.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe included photographs and presentation materials are clean and display well. The JSA Letter of Authenticity is present and suitable for archival storage or framing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePlease view all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAuthentic handwritten material from Dr. Bob is extraordinarily scarce on the open market. Letters with this level of provenance — written to a documented early A.A. supporter connected to the founding of A.A. in Detroit — are rarer still.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis piece carries exceptional historical weight. It connects Dr. Bob, Sarah Klein, early Detroit A.A., spiritual reading, and the personal correspondence that helped bind the early Fellowship together.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA truly remarkable artifact for an A.A. history collection, institutional archive, museum display, or dedicated steward of recovery history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49753073975538,"sku":null,"price":10000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/7BB5CC59-A644-493B-A6D2-5F9EC10AAADD.jpg?v=1782976643","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/exceptionally-rare-1949-dr-bob-handwritten-letter-copy","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}