Signed by Dr. Bob Smith & Father Pfau - AA Retreat Book - June 1948

This amazing piece of AA History has been inscribed and signed by both AA cofounder, Dr. Bob Smith and author of this book, Father Ralph Pfau.

Dr. Bob’s inscription reads:

”For Diane, in your continued success in AA. Dr. Bob Smith”

Father Ralph Pfau Inscription reads:

”To Diane, With love. Father Pfau - 3/13/52”

The previous owner and person the inscriptions in this book were dedicated to, hand wrote on the second page, “Diane + Lyle Dawn”

AA Retreat Book by Father Ralph Pfau (Father John Doe) - June 1948

SOUVENIR of the FOURTH ANNUAL RETREAT for MEMBERS of ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS on JUNE 11, 12, 13, 1948 at ST. JOSEPH COLLEGE.

This book, being from June 1948, is one of the earliest books released by Father Pfau. The content pages of this souvenir book are identical to “The Golden Book of Charity” by Father John Doe, with exception for the last chapter of the book of Charity not present in this Retreat book. This Retreat book includes pages at the front of the book about the retreat and the schedule of events for the weekend.

This AA Retreat book and the “Golden Book of Charity“ were both released in 1948. “The Golden Book of Charity” was later renamed “The Golden Book of Tolerance”. The Golden Book of Charity is the rarest first printing Golden Book to find today. The middle page in the book is a map of Saint Joseph College.

This AA Retreat book is in very good condition. There is minor wear to the cover. The pages inside the book are clean and show no wear. 

Father Ralph Pfau was the third most published early A.A. author (only Bill Wilson the founder and Richmond Walker had more books out in print), and was the first Roman Catholic priest to get sober in A.A.

He was born in Indianapolis, educated at St. Meinrad Archabbey in southern Indiana, and served Catholic churches all over Indianapolis, as well as other towns in Indiana. After taking up full time A.A. work, he made his headquarters in three rooms at the Convent of the Good Shepherd in Indianapolis, with three nuns serving as his secretaries and assistants.

Early A.A. people from the South Bend area traveled to attend his weekend A.A. spiritual retreats, and formed study groups to read his books.

Please view all of the photos for the conditions.