{"product_id":"original-works-publishing-stock-certificate-the-alcoholic-foundation","title":"Original Works Publishing Stock Certificate - Issued to The Alcoholic Foundation","description":"\u003ch3 data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"335\"\u003eOne of Only \u003cem data-start=\"311\" data-end=\"318\"\u003eThree\u003c\/em\u003e Known to Exist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"337\" data-end=\"698\"\u003eThis remarkable artifact is one of the rarest surviving documents from the earliest history of Alcoholics Anonymous—a genuine Works Publishing, Inc. stock certificate, issued in 1940 for five shares and made out directly to “The Alcoholic Foundation.” Only two other original examples are known to remain in private or institutional collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"700\" data-end=\"703\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"705\" data-end=\"735\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"708\" data-end=\"735\"\u003eHistorical Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"1156\"\u003eWorks Publishing, Inc. was created by AA cofounder Bill Wilson and early AA member Hank Parkhurst as a practical solution to a monumental problem: \u003cem data-start=\"896\" data-end=\"942\"\u003ehow to finance the printing of the Big Book.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"1156\"\u003eIn 1938–39, the fellowship had no money, no formal structure, and no financial backers. The proposed book, \u003cem data-start=\"1052\" data-end=\"1074\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous\u003c\/em\u003e, could not move forward without funding. The solution was bold and unprecedented:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1158\" data-end=\"1238\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1162\" data-end=\"1238\"\u003eSell shares of Works Publishing, Inc. at $25 par value to raise capital.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1429\"\u003eThese shares—represented by certificates such as the one offered here—financed the First Printing of the Big Book in April 1939, the publication that would change the lives of millions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1431\" data-end=\"1612\"\u003eAlthough the stock offering was conceived before publication, the actual certificates were not printed and issued until 1940, more than a year after the Big Book first appeared.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"1614\" data-end=\"1617\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"1619\" data-end=\"1656\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1622\" data-end=\"1656\"\u003eWhy This Certificate Is Unique\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"1658\" data-end=\"1702\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1662\" data-end=\"1702\"\u003eIssued to “The Alcoholic Foundation”\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1704\" data-end=\"1936\"\u003eWhile most certificates were sold to individual investors or issued as compensation for services rendered, this particular certificate was made out to “The Alcoholic Foundation,” the predecessor of today’s General Service Board.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1938\" data-end=\"2016\"\u003eThis initially appears unusual, but detailed research reveals the explanation:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2342\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2018\" data-end=\"2104\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2020\" data-end=\"2104\"\u003eL. Berkowitz of New York City purchased five shares of Works Publishing stock.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2105\" data-end=\"2247\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2107\" data-end=\"2247\"\u003eHe donated his shares outright to The Alcoholic Foundation, strengthening AA’s financial footing during its most vulnerable years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"2248\" data-end=\"2342\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2250\" data-end=\"2342\"\u003eThe pencil notation “Berkowitz” on the back of the certificate supports this provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"2344\" data-end=\"2378\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2348\" data-end=\"2378\"\u003eUnredeemed\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2380\" data-end=\"2589\"\u003eIn April 1942, The Alcoholic Foundation began systematically buying back the Works Publishing shares from individual stockholders. These redemptions are normally documented on the back of the certificates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2591\" data-end=\"2704\"\u003eBecause this certificate was already owned by the Foundation, there was no need for redemption documentation on the back. \u003cstrong data-start=\"2708\" data-end=\"2733\"\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eThis alone makes it incredibly rare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"2840\" data-end=\"2843\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"2845\" data-end=\"2867\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2848\" data-end=\"2867\"\u003eSurvival Rarity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2869\" data-end=\"2954\"\u003eOnly three certificates of this type are known to exist today—including this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2956\" data-end=\"3136\"\u003eMost were redeemed, destroyed, or discarded. Virtually none remain in such superb condition, and almost none survive with direct lineage to the Alcoholic Foundation itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3138\" data-end=\"3141\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"3143\" data-end=\"3177\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3146\" data-end=\"3177\"\u003eDetails of This Certificate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3181\" data-end=\"3217\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3181\" data-end=\"3192\"\u003eIssuer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Works Publishing, Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3220\" data-end=\"3245\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3220\" data-end=\"3240\"\u003eCertificate No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e 37\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3248\" data-end=\"3264\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3248\" data-end=\"3257\"\u003eDate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1940\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3289\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3267\" data-end=\"3278\"\u003eShares:\u003c\/strong\u003e Five (5)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3292\" data-end=\"3317\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3292\" data-end=\"3306\"\u003ePar Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e $25 each\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3363\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3320\" data-end=\"3334\"\u003eIssued to:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"3335\" data-end=\"3361\"\u003eThe Alcoholic Foundation\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3366\" data-end=\"3444\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3366\" data-end=\"3380\"\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"3381\" data-end=\"3394\"\u003eExceptional\u003c\/em\u003e — crisp, clean, with no folds, tears, or stains\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3447\" data-end=\"3553\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3447\" data-end=\"3460\"\u003eBackside:\u003c\/strong\u003e Only a single pencil notation “Berkowitz”; no redemption writing, stamps, or cancellations\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3556\" data-end=\"3607\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3556\" data-end=\"3571\"\u003ePrinted in:\u003c\/strong\u003e New York, under state incorporation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3556\" data-end=\"3607\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 12.5” x 8.5”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3609\" data-end=\"3774\"\u003eThe ornate green border, period typography, and original signatures of Works Publishing officers make this an extraordinary display piece for AA archivists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"3776\" data-end=\"3779\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"3781\" data-end=\"3826\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3784\" data-end=\"3826\"\u003eProvenance \u0026amp; Importance for Collectors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3828\" data-end=\"3929\"\u003eArtifacts from AA’s earliest financial structure are exceedingly scarce. This certificate represents:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-start=\"3931\" data-end=\"4240\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3931\" data-end=\"3996\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3933\" data-end=\"3996\"\u003eThe fundraising mechanism that made the Big Book possible\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"3997\" data-end=\"4074\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"3999\" data-end=\"4074\"\u003eA connection to L. Berkowitz, one of AA’s earliest supporters\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"4075\" data-end=\"4158\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4077\" data-end=\"4158\"\u003eDirect issuance to The Alcoholic Foundation, the organizational heart of AA\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-start=\"4159\" data-end=\"4240\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4161\" data-end=\"4240\"\u003eOne of the few surviving corporate documents from the fellowship’s founding era\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4242\" data-end=\"4292\"\u003eItems of this caliber rarely appear on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"4294\" data-end=\"4297\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 data-start=\"4299\" data-end=\"4315\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"4302\" data-end=\"4315\"\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4317\" data-end=\"4388\"\u003eThis certificate has been exceptionally well preserved, exhibiting Strong edges, Minimal toning, No creases or tears, Clean, Sharp printing, and Fully legible signatures and text\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"4513\" data-end=\"4587\"\u003ePlease examine all photos closely to appreciate its outstanding condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr data-start=\"4589\" data-end=\"4592\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"4594\" data-end=\"4663\"\u003eA cornerstone document in the history of Alcoholics Anonymous —worthy of museum display or a premier private archive.\u003c\/h3\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48270269382898,"sku":null,"price":50000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/IMG-2906.png?v=1774071426","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/original-works-publishing-stock-certificate-the-alcoholic-foundation","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}