{"product_id":"list-of-aa-groups-february-1946-alcoholics-anonymous-directory","title":"List of AA Groups as of February 1946 — Early Alcoholics Anonymous Directory","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished by The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc. · New York City\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an original \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFebruary 1946 List of AA Groups\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published by The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc. during the early years of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is a fascinating working document from a period when A.A. was still relatively small, but rapidly expanding across the United States and beginning to establish a presence internationally. Rather than being intended for the general public, the cover specifically identifies this as a \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003econfidential list “to be used for AA purposes only,”\u003c\/span\u003e distributed to group secretaries and a limited number of A.A. members who traveled extensively.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat restricted purpose makes these early directories especially interesting today. They were practical tools used to connect alcoholics, groups, travelers, and the developing A.A. service structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Snapshot of A.A. in 1946\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThe directory records A.A. groups state by state and frequently includes:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGroup names and locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMailing addresses and P.O. boxes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGroup secretaries and contact persons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTelephone numbers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReported membership totals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContributions to the Alcoholic Foundation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe listings provide an unusually detailed picture of how Alcoholics Anonymous was organized at the local level during the mid-1940s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAmong the examples shown are early groups in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCalifornia, New York, Ohio, Texas, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Wisconsin, and many other states.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe New York section, for example, records the \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eManhattan group with a membership of 400\u003c\/span\u003e and identifies its clubhouse at \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e405 West 41st Street\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe directory also documents multiple groups in important early A.A. communities such as Los Angeles, Hollywood, Long Beach, Toledo, Youngstown, Birmingham, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eLone A.A. Members\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne of the most historically compelling sections is devoted to \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e“Lone AA Members.”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThese were alcoholics living in places where an established A.A. group had not yet developed. The directory gives their names and locations so that members traveling through these areas could make contact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis section is a remarkable reminder of how A.A. spread before modern communications—often through letters, personal visits, traveling members, and individual alcoholics attempting to carry the message in communities where no formal group yet existed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eEarly International A.A.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe final pages provide an equally interesting record of A.A.’s developing international reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eListings include contacts or groups in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAustralia · Bahamas · Bermuda · Brazil · Canada · England · Mexico · Canal Zone · Territory of Hawaii\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe presence of these listings in early 1946 provides a tangible snapshot of the movement beginning to extend beyond the continental United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn Early Statement of A.A.’s Purpose\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eInside the front portion of the directory appears this striking statement:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p5\"\u003e“Alcoholics Anonymous has but one purpose:\u003cbr\u003eTo help the sick alcoholic recover if he wishes.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt is followed by another concise statement emphasizing that Alcoholics Anonymous takes no position on controversial subjects and does not oppose anyone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThese brief declarations are particularly interesting when viewed alongside the developing principles and Traditions that were taking shape during this period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eItem Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e List of AA Groups as of February 1946\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAddress:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e P.O. Box 459, Grand Central Annex, New York 17, N.Y.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDate:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e February 1946\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Stapled softcover directory\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e United States groups, membership figures, contributions, contact information, Lone A.A. Members, and foreign A.A. contacts\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis original directory remains in \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003egood condition for an extensively used piece of A.A. service material from 1946\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe covers and pages show age toning, scattered staining and discoloration, edge and corner wear, small tears and areas of paper loss, particularly around the outer edges and corners. The cover shows surface wear and handwritten notation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThere are also \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eperiod pencil notations, check marks, and handwritten additions within the directory\u003c\/span\u003e, including notes associated with individual group listings. These markings appear consistent with the booklet having been actively used as a working A.A. directory and add an interesting element of provenance and historical character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe binding remains together, and the printed material shown is clear and readable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003ePlease review all photographs carefully for a complete understanding of the condition and appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eEarly A.A. directories offer something very different from books and published articles: they document the actual \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eworking network of Alcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eNames, addresses, membership figures, isolated members, developing groups, and international contacts combine to show how the Fellowship was spreading person by person and community by community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eFor collectors of early Alcoholics Anonymous history, this \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eFebruary 1946 confidential group directory\u003c\/span\u003e is a particularly evocative artifact from the period when the Fellowship was transforming from a relatively small American movement into an increasingly organized and international network.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49876403454194,"sku":null,"price":795.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/F88DCD7C-F67B-4173-B0A7-00A65D485F77.jpg?v=1785781476","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/list-of-aa-groups-february-1946-alcoholics-anonymous-directory","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}