{"product_id":"gso-gifted-special-bound-third-edition-dedicated-to-john-d-bealer-m-d","title":"GSO Gifted Special Bound Third Edition dedicated to John D. Bealer, M.D.","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThird Edition — Sixth Printing, 1979\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecial Navy Blue Leather Presentation Binding\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGifted to John D. Bealer, M.D.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. · New York City\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDescription\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an exceptionally rare and beautiful special-bound presentation copy of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, Third Edition, Sixth Printing, published by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003c\/span\u003e in 1979.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy belongs to a fascinating presentation tradition in Alcoholics Anonymous history. Bill W. is known to have given specially bound Big Books to meaningful friends of his and important friends of A.A. After Bill’s lifetime, Alcoholics Anonymous continued this custom by presenting similar special-bound copies to trustees, General Service Board members, and individuals who had given significant service to the Fellowship.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy follows that same style very closely: navy blue leather binding, elaborate gold gilt decoration, raised spine bands, gilt page edges, marbled endpapers, and a built-in silk bookmark. The front cover is personalized in gilt with the name:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJohn D. Bealer, M.D.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis was not a standard public edition of the Big Book. It appears to be a special presentation copy created for Dr. Bealer in recognition of his service to Alcoholics Anonymous and the broader field of alcoholism work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe book is made even more significant by the handwritten inscriptions inside from associates, friends, and members connected to A.A. service, the General Service Board, and the wider alcoholism field. There are approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e19 handwritten inscriptions\u003c\/span\u003e, many addressed personally to Dr. Bealer, expressing gratitude for his friendship, service, leadership, and contribution to A.A.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout John D. Bealer, M.D.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eJohn D. Bealer, M.D. was an important non-alcoholic friend of Alcoholics Anonymous. He served as a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003enon-alcoholic trustee of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e and was later named a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003ecorporate director of A.A. World Services, Inc.\u003c\/span\u003e — the legal entity responsible for General Service Office business operations and A.A. publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA.A. historical reporting identified Dr. Bealer as the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003efirst non-alcoholic corporate director of A.A. World Services, Inc.\u003c\/span\u003e, making his connection to this special presentation Big Book especially meaningful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eDr. Bealer was also active in the wider alcoholism field, serving on the executive committee of the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNational Council on Alcoholism’s Board of Directors\u003c\/span\u003e. Professionally, he had a distinguished medical background in occupational medicine, including service as assistant medical director of Bethlehem Steel. His obituary also notes that while serving at the Naval Base in Hawaii, he supervised an early large-scale polio vaccination effort using vaccine flown from California during the period when Dr. Jonas Salk was conducting his research.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis presentation Big Book reflects the respect and appreciation shown to Dr. Bealer by those who served alongside him in A.A. and related alcoholism work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNotable Inscriptions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy contains numerous handwritten inscriptions from individuals connected to A.A. service and the broader recovery field. These inscriptions speak warmly of Dr. Bealer’s service, friendship, leadership, and presence among them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne notable inscription appears to be from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eDr. Jack Norris\u003c\/span\u003e, a non-alcoholic physician, A.A. trustee, and longtime Chairman of the General Service Board. Dr. Norris played an important role in A.A.’s public and professional relationships and served for many years in A.A.’s national service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe inscriptions collectively make this more than a finely bound Big Book. They document a moment of gratitude from A.A. service leaders, friends, and colleagues toward a respected non-alcoholic trustee and medical professional.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding \u0026amp; Presentation Features\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis special presentation copy includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNavy blue leather binding\u003cbr\u003eGold gilt cover borders and corner decoration\u003cbr\u003ePersonalized gilt name on front cover: \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJohn D. Bealer, M.D.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRaised spine bands\u003cbr\u003eGold gilt spine lettering and ornamentation\u003cbr\u003eGilt page edges\u003cbr\u003eMarbled endpapers\u003cbr\u003eBuilt-in silk bookmark\u003cbr\u003eApproximately 19 handwritten inscriptions from A.A. associates and board\/service connections\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe craftsmanship gives the book a formal presentation quality rarely seen in A.A. literature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eTitle: \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEdition: Third Edition\u003cbr\u003ePrinting: Sixth Printing\u003cbr\u003eYear: 1979\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003cbr\u003ePlace: New York City\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Hardcover\u003cbr\u003eBinding: Special navy blue leather presentation binding\u003cbr\u003ePersonalized To: John D. Bealer, M.D.\u003cbr\u003eSpecial Features: Gilt decoration, marbled endpapers, gilt page edges, silk bookmark, multiple handwritten inscriptions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis book is in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003every good condition overall\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe navy blue leather binding presents beautifully, with bright gilt decoration and strong shelf appeal. There is light handling wear to the binding, including minor rubbing at corners and edges. A small area of wear is visible near the top of the spine\/front joint area, as shown in the photos.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe marbled endpapers are attractive and well-preserved. The gilt page edges remain bright with some normal age and handling wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThere are numerous handwritten inscriptions on the front endpapers and preliminary pages, as expected for this presentation copy. The main text is clean and well-preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease view all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eSpecial-bound presentation copies of the Big Book are among the most unusual and desirable forms of A.A. literature. Unlike standard trade editions, these copies were not produced for general sale and appear to have been made in very small numbers for meaningful friends of A.A., trustees, General Service Board members, and honored service figures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis copy is especially compelling because it continues a presentation tradition associated with Bill W. himself — the gifting of finely bound Big Books to important friends of A.A. The similar navy leather binding, marbled endpapers, gilt decoration, gilt page edges, and formal presentation quality place this copy within that rare and highly collectible category of special A.A. presentation books.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePersonalized to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eJohn D. Bealer, M.D.\u003c\/span\u003e, a non-alcoholic trustee, corporate director of A.A. World Services, Inc., and respected medical figure, this is a highly distinctive and display-worthy item. The numerous handwritten inscriptions add a powerful association element, preserving the gratitude of those who served alongside him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor collectors of Alcoholics Anonymous history, General Service Board material, A.A. World Services history, non-alcoholic trustees, signed association copies, and special presentation Big Books, this is a remarkable piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Brian Couey","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49686906241266,"sku":null,"price":4000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/C9CF6269-870E-4013-BE4F-4030077E1231.jpg?v=1781738515","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/gso-gifted-special-bound-third-edition-dedicated-to-john-d-bealer-m-d","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}