Medicine Looks at Alcoholics Anonymous — 4-Pamphlet Edition Set (1944 / 1946 / 1949 / 1953)
Medicine Looks at Alcoholics Anonymous — 4-Pamphlet Edition Set (1944 / 1946 / 1949 / 1953) Early Medical & Psychiatric Papers
Description
Offered here is a four-piece edition set of the landmark A.A. pamphlet Medicine Looks at Alcoholics Anonymous—a foundational document in the Fellowship’s early relationship with medicine and psychiatry. These pamphlets document key presentations to the Medical Society of the State of New York and the American Psychiatric Association, including material by Bill W. (printed anonymously) and Dr. Harry M. Tiebout, capturing how A.A. first gained professional attention and validation.
This set includes four distinct printings spanning 1944–1953, each identifiable by publisher details and internal text changes.
Included in This Set
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1944 True First Printing — The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc.
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1946 Works Publishing Printing (1946–1949 variant) — Works Publishing, Inc.
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1949 Works Publishing Printing — Works Publishing, Inc.
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1953 Printing — Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. (Conference-approved)
Why This Set Matters
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Documents A.A.’s earliest professional (medical/psychiatric) reception
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Tracks textual and statistical changes across printings (1944 → 1953)
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A strong cornerstone set for collectors of early A.A. ephemera, recovery history, and alcoholism-as-illness scholarship
Edition Notes & Identification
1) 1944 — True First Printing (Alcoholic Foundation)
Publisher: The Alcoholic Foundation, Inc. (pre–Works Publishing)
Key identifiers (what’s not present):
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No Dr. W. W. Bauer radio text on the back page (added later)
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No 1949 membership asterisk note on page 3
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Alcoholic Foundation imprint on cover
Condition (Very Good): Small stains on cover; “A.A. Cleveland District Office” stamp on front cover; pencil markings on page 12; rusted staples; moderate toning; complete and readable.
2) 1946 — Works Publishing Printing (ca. 1946–1949)
Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc.
Key identifiers:
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Includes Dr. W. W. Bauer (NBC “Doctors at Home,” Feb. 9, 1946) on the back page
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Does NOT include the later 1949 membership asterisk note on page 3. This places it between 1946 and 1949.
Condition (Very Good): Moderate toning; rusted staples; creases; no writing or markings; intact with no missing pages.
3) 1949 — Works Publishing Printing
Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc.
Key identifier:
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Asterisked note at bottom of page 3 referencing 1949 membership/group figures
Condition (Very Good): Light edge wear; age toning; no writing/markings noted; staples firm; complete.
4) 1953 — Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. (Conference-approved)
Key identifiers:
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Asterisk on page 3 updates membership figures to 1953
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Publication list context suggests early 1953 state of the catalog (per your notes)
Condition (Very Good): Light edge wear; age toning; no writing/markings noted; staples firm; complete.
Condition Summary
Overall, this is a solid collector set with beautifully preserved fragile, staple-bound pamphlets—highlighted by the scarce 1944 true first and the distinct Works Publishing variants that show A.A.’s rapid growth and changing publishing channels.
