{"product_id":"hank-parkhurst-handwritten-letters-1952-early-aa-history","title":"Hank Parkhurst — Two Original Handwritten Family Letters, January 1952","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly A.A. Pioneer, Works Publishing Co-Founder \u0026amp; Author of “The Unbeliever”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWith 1999 Sworn Affidavit Documenting Authenticity and Provenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOffered here is a remarkable pair of original handwritten letters by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHenry G. “Hank” Parkhurst\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, one of the most important figures in the earliest publishing history of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBoth letters were written in January 1952 on stationery from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHotel Hildebrecht in Trenton, New Jersey\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, during the final years of Parkhurst’s life. Written to members of his immediate family, they offer an unusually personal glimpse of Parkhurst outside the familiar story of the early Alcoholics Anonymous movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe first, dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 1, 1952\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, is a substantial letter to his son Hank and daughter-in-law Martha discussing marriage, family, Christianity, church attendance, and self-discipline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe second, dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 4, 1952\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, was written only three days later and reveals Parkhurst dealing with an urgent and unresolved legal matter. In one of the letter’s most striking passages, he writes emphatically in large capital letters:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I WANT TO GET LOOSE HERE”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe two letters are accompanied by a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esworn affidavit dated June 1, 1999\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, executed by Merton M. Minter III. The affidavit specifically identifies both letters among a larger group of original Hank Parkhurst correspondence and documents their earlier transfer from \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMitch Klein and Martha Parkhurst\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHank Parkhurst and Early Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHank Parkhurst occupies an important place in the formative years of Alcoholics Anonymous and the creation of the book \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eParkhurst worked closely with Bill Wilson during the development and publication of the original Big Book and was instrumental in establishing \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorks Publishing Company\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, the organization created to publish the book in 1939.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHis personal story, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“The Unbeliever,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e appeared in the First Edition of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eParkhurst was also among the early members who pushed for spiritual language broad enough to accommodate alcoholics who were skeptical of conventional religion. His experience and viewpoint formed part of the larger debate surrounding the religious and spiritual language used in the developing A.A. program.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThat history makes the content of the January 1, 1952 letter particularly interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 1, 1952 — Marriage, Religion and Family\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe first letter is addressed to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMartha and Hank\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e—Parkhurst’s daughter-in-law Martha and his son, Henry Giffen “Hank” Parkhurst II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eParkhurst begins by telling them that the things he wishes for most are their happiness and the happiness of his younger son, Robert.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe then turns to the subject of advice, explaining that loving advice is intended only to help those one loves avoid dangers and that the person giving such advice should not become angry if it is not followed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWith some humor, he announces:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“So Solomon here will probably beat your ears out with words of wisdom.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eParkhurst then addresses the young couple’s marriage directly, telling them that he wants their marriage to be happy and to last forever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe recommends that they develop the habit of attending church together and taking an active interest in it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWhat follows is particularly notable given Parkhurst’s history and his First Edition story, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Unbeliever\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. He makes a distinction between church attendance and personal goodness or Christianity, writing that people do not have to attend church in order to be good or Christian. Instead, he argues that the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eself-discipline\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e created by regular participation together can produce substantial benefits for a couple and their children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe letter therefore provides an unusual primary-source glimpse into Parkhurst’s thoughts about religion, marriage and family more than a decade after the publication of the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe signs the letter simply:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Dad.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 4, 1952 — “I WANT TO GET LOOSE HERE”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOnly three days later, Parkhurst wrote again from the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHotel Hildebrecht\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe tone is noticeably different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAddressing the recipients as \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Dears,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Parkhurst reports that the preceding two days had consisted of nearly continuous “go rounds with lawyers.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe stresses the importance of receiving answers to questions he had previously sent, explaining that those answers would have considerable bearing on \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“our next step.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe warns that he may be sending questions practically every day over the following week and then emphasizes, in large block capitals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I WANT TO GET LOOSE HERE”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHe immediately adds that he wants to plan whatever comes next in the way that will be best \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“for all of us.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe letter closes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Love to you all\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u2028\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003eDad”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe precise legal matter Parkhurst was dealing with has not been established. The surviving correspondence does not provide sufficient information to determine whether it concerned property, finances, family affairs, business matters, or another issue.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eRather than speculate beyond the evidence contained in the letters, the circumstances are presented here as Parkhurst recorded them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDocumented Provenance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAn important component of this offering is the accompanying \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003esworn affidavit dated June 1, 1999\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, executed by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMerton M. Minter III\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eIn the affidavit, Minter states that the documents listed in the accompanying schedule were \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“true and original documents”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and were the same documents transferred to him by \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMitch Klein and Martha Parkhurst\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe schedule inventories twelve Hank Parkhurst letters individually.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe two letters offered here are specifically identified as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eC.\u003c\/b\u003e Handwritten letter to Martha and Hank, dated \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\/1\/52\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eG.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e Handwritten letter to “Dears,” dated \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e1\/4\/52\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis documentation is particularly valuable because \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMartha Parkhurst was herself an original recipient of the January 1 letter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and is subsequently named in the 1999 affidavit as one of the individuals from whom the group of documents was transferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe affidavit therefore provides a documented Parkhurst-family connection for the correspondence in addition to specifically identifying these two letters by recipient and date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe remaining Hank Parkhurst letters listed in the 1999 affidavit are \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enot included with this offering\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. This offering consists solely of the two original letters described above together with the accompanying affidavit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePreservation and Condition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eBoth original letters remain complete and legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 1, 1952 letter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is handwritten in blue ink on Hotel Hildebrecht stationery and retains its original folds. It exhibits age toning, scattered spotting and discoloration, minor ink transfer and handling wear consistent with its age and history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eJanuary 4, 1952 letter\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e is likewise handwritten in blue ink on Hotel Hildebrecht stationery and retains its original folds. It shows age toning, scattered spotting and discoloration, handling wear and darker discoloration toward the lower portion of the sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eAccording to the accompanying 1999 affidavit, the group of Parkhurst letters was chemically deacidified using a methanol\/magnesium-based archival treatment and subsequently housed in DuPont Mylar archival material.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis conservation information is reported as stated in the affidavit and has not been independently verified by Recovery Collectibles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eHank Parkhurst is most often encountered in A.A. history through the extraordinary events surrounding the creation of the Big Book—his relationship with Bill Wilson, Works Publishing, the debates surrounding the manuscript, and his First Edition story, \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Unbeliever\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThese letters preserve something quite different.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eWritten in 1952, approximately two years before Parkhurst’s death, they document him privately as a father concerned with the marriages, happiness and future of his family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe January 1 letter is particularly compelling because Parkhurst discusses \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ereligion and church attendance in his own words\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Rather than presenting church attendance as a requirement for goodness or Christianity, he recommends it to his son and daughter-in-law as a shared discipline capable of strengthening their marriage and benefiting their future family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eFor a man remembered in A.A. history as the author of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Unbeliever\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and as an important voice in the development of the Big Book’s inclusive spiritual language, the letter offers an unusually personal later-life perspective.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThe January 4 letter provides a striking companion document. Written from the same hotel only three days later, it captures Parkhurst amid an unresolved legal and family situation, urgently seeking answers and declaring:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“I WANT TO GET LOOSE HERE.”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eTogether, the two letters preserve a small but revealing chapter of Hank Parkhurst’s later life—one documented not through later recollections, but through \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eParkhurst’s own handwriting and words\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Henry G. “Hank” Parkhurst\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDates:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e January 1, 1952 and January 4, 1952\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePlace Written:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Hotel Hildebrecht, Trenton, New Jersey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Two original handwritten family letters\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eInk:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Blue\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecipients:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Martha and Hank Parkhurst \/ members of the Parkhurst family\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignatures:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Both signed “Dad”\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDocumentation:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Sworn affidavit dated June 1, 1999\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAffiant:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Merton M. Minter III\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarlier Provenance Documented in Affidavit:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Mitch Klein and Martha Parkhurst\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Complete and legible with age-related toning, spotting, folds and handling wear; see photographs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Two original Hank Parkhurst letters and accompanying 1999 affidavit\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector’s Note\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eOriginal correspondence from Hank Parkhurst provides a direct connection to one of the most consequential figures in the creation and publication of the Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003eThis pair is especially compelling because its significance extends beyond Parkhurst’s signature. The letters contain substantial personal content concerning \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003emarriage, religion, Christianity, family, self-discipline and the circumstances of his later life\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, while the accompanying 1999 affidavit specifically identifies both documents and preserves their connection to the Parkhurst family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eTogether, they offer an intimate primary-source glimpse of \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHank Parkhurst the man\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, more than a decade after his pivotal role in the creation of the Big Book.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49982220075250,"sku":null,"price":5000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/IMG-8155.png?v=1788889598","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/hank-parkhurst-handwritten-letters-1952-early-aa-history","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}