{"product_id":"signed-by-nell-wing-bobsmitty-betty-smith-dr-bob-and-the-good-oldtimers-second-printing-from-1980","title":"Signed by Nell Wing, Bob(Smitty)\u0026 Betty Smith - Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers - Second Printing from 1980","description":"\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Biography, with Recollections of Early A.A. in the Midwest\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSecond Printing · 1980 · Hardcover with Original Dust Jacket\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned by Nell Wing, Bob (“Smitty”) Smith \u0026amp; Betty Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eOverview\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003eOffered here is a \u003c\/span\u003eSecond Printing (1980)\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e of \u003ci\u003eDr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers\u003c\/i\u003e, published by \u003c\/span\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e, complete with its \u003c\/span\u003eoriginal dust jacket\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e—and uniquely \u003c\/span\u003esigned by three major figures connected to A.A.’s founding generation\u003cspan class=\"s2\"\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNell Wing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (Bill W.’s longtime secretary and an essential steward of early A.A. history)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBob Smith (“Smitty”)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e (Dr. Bob’s son)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBetty Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e (Smitty’s wife)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis combination turns a classic A.A. history volume into a \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003epersonal, family-and-archives association copy\u003c\/span\u003e—a book that isn’t just \u003ci\u003eabout\u003c\/i\u003e early A.A., but directly connected to the people who preserved and carried its memory forward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eSignificance of the Signatures\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eDr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers\u003c\/i\u003e is already the definitive Conference-approved biography of Dr. Bob and the Akron\/Midwest beginnings of Alcoholics Anonymous. What elevates this copy is that the signatures come from \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003etwo different “centers” of A.A. history\u003c\/span\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Wilson circle\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e through \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNell Wing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, who worked beside Bill W. for decades and became one of the most important keepers of A.A.’s early records and correspondence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Smith family\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e through \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDr. Bob’s son (“Smitty”)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBetty Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, who represent the closest living family connection to Dr. Bob’s legacy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eTogether, these inscriptions add a layer of warmth and provenance that collectors and A.A. history lovers immediately recognize: this book was not signed casually—it was \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eshared\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eInscriptions\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBob Smith (“Smitty”)\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: “\u003ci\u003ePete, Keep Steadfast. Bob Smith 5\/22\/92\u003c\/i\u003e”\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBetty Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: “\u003ci\u003eDear Pete, Sharing in this great fellowship! Betty S.\u003c\/i\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNell Wing\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e: “\u003ci\u003eDear Pete, Happy to share - sending good wishes. Nell Wing\u003c\/i\u003e”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Book\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eThis landmark volume remains the cornerstone printed account of Dr. Bob’s life and the “good oldtimers” who helped A.A. take root in Akron and spread throughout the Midwest. Rather than focusing only on biography, it preserves the \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003etexture of early A.A. life\u003c\/span\u003e—letters, recollections, and firsthand accounts that illuminate how sponsorship, group practice, and the spiritual approach developed in real time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eFor many A.A. readers, it’s the essential companion to \u003ci\u003ePass It On\u003c\/i\u003e—but with a distinct focus on Akron, the Midwest fellowship, and the people who lived the program before A.A. literature became abundant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eEdition Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e \u003ci\u003eDr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., New York\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eYear:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 1980\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePrinting:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eSecond Printing\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Hardcover\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original dust jacket present\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSigned:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e Yes — \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003eNell Wing, Bob Smith (“Smitty”), and Betty Smith\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eCondition\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBook:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Good condition. Clean pages; binding sound; light general wear consistent with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eDust Jacket:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Original jacket present with edge wear, small tears, rubbing, and some fading consistent with handling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003ePlease review all photos carefully for the most accurate representation of condition and inscriptions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb\u003eCollector Notes\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p4\"\u003eSigned copies of \u003ci\u003eDr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers\u003c\/i\u003e are desirable on their own—but a copy signed by \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eNell Wing\u003c\/span\u003e and \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003emembers of Dr. Bob’s immediate family\u003c\/span\u003e is a special combination. This is an ideal piece for the A.A. historian or “archive-minded” member who values \u003cspan class=\"s3\"\u003eemotional provenance\u003c\/span\u003e as much as bibliographic detail: a classic text, made personal by the hands that shaped and preserved A.A.’s earliest story.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Recovery Collectibles","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49004284674290,"sku":null,"price":400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/Screenshot_2026-04-03_at_10.49.15_PM.png?v=1775278226","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/signed-by-nell-wing-bobsmitty-betty-smith-dr-bob-and-the-good-oldtimers-second-printing-from-1980","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}