{"product_id":"the-story-of-alanon-of-new-jersey-aa-club-history","title":"The Story of Alanon of New Jersey | Early A.A. Clubhouse \u0026 Intergroup History","description":"\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOffered here is an original early pamphlet titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Story of Alanon of New Jersey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, published by the Alanon Association, Inc. of Newark, New Jersey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis is an especially interesting piece of early Alcoholics Anonymous history because the “Alanon” described here is \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003enot Al-Anon Family Groups\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e. Rather, it was a social club and recreation center created for members of Alcoholics Anonymous in New Jersey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThe Alanon Club was established in the early 1940s, several years before the founding of Al-Anon Family Groups in 1951. Because the name “Alanon” was already in use by the New Jersey club, the newly organized family fellowship adopted the hyphenated name “Al-Anon.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet was issued in response to confusion surrounding the purpose and status of the Alanon Club and explains its relationship to A.A., the local Intergroup, and the broader A.A. movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Social Center for Early A.A. Members\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet describes the Alanon Association as a social club for A.A. members in good standing, created to provide fellowship, companionship, recreation, and a comfortable place for members and their families.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eIt makes a careful distinction between the club and Alcoholics Anonymous itself:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e“The Alanon Club directly engages in no AA therapeutic work whatsoever.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe publication explains that the club was neither an A.A. group nor a governing body. Instead, it functioned as an independently operated recreation center whose members were individual A.A. members.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis distinction is historically important. During the rapid growth of Alcoholics Anonymous in the 1940s and 1950s, clubhouses became common gathering places, and questions arose regarding how these social organizations should relate to A.A. groups and A.A. principles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eBill W. and the Question of A.A. Clubs\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOne of the most collectible features of the pamphlet is a section titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Bill’s Ideas,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e which reproduces excerpts from Bill W.’s article \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClubs in A.A.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBill discusses the development of A.A. clubhouses and the need to keep the business affairs of a club separate from the spiritual and service functions of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet explains that while clubhouses could provide valuable fellowship and recreation, A.A. groups themselves should remain independent of the business management of such facilities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThis discussion provides a fascinating window into the evolving structure of Alcoholics Anonymous and the effort to preserve the Fellowship’s principles while accommodating the practical realities of a rapidly expanding membership.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Newark Alanon Club\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe pamphlet also provides considerable detail about the Newark clubhouse itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eLocated at \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSeventh Avenue and Seventh Street in Newark\u003c\/span\u003e, the facility is described as a large clubhouse with bowling alleys, lounges, recreation rooms, pool tables, shuffleboard, a kitchen and coffee bar, and an auditorium seating approximately 400 people.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA period photograph of the clubhouse is included, along with a map showing the location and nearby transportation routes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe history section explains that the property had been purchased in November 1944 for $22,000, with financial assistance from A.A. members and a non-alcoholic supporter of Alcoholics Anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eAt the time represented by this pamphlet, the association states that it had approximately \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e560 owner-members belonging to 43 A.A. groups throughout New Jersey\u003c\/span\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Window Into Early A.A. Organization\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eBeyond the history of one clubhouse, this pamphlet documents a broader question that Alcoholics Anonymous was working through during its early development:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eHow could social clubs, central offices, Intergroups, and individual A.A. groups coexist without confusing their respective purposes?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe publication discusses the eventual separation of the Alanon Club from the New Jersey Intergroup, describing how each organization developed distinct responsibilities. Intergroup handled A.A. matters such as public information, hospital arrangements, inquiries, and group services, while the club remained primarily a social and recreational facility.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThat distinction closely reflects the developing understanding that A.A. groups and service bodies should remain separate from independently operated clubhouses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublication Details\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eTitle:\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Story of Alanon of New Jersey\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Alanon Association, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eAddress:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e 384 Seventh Avenue, Newark 7, New Jersey\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Illustrated stapled pamphlet\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eContents:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e History of the Newark Alanon Club, organization and ownership, facilities, finances, activities, relationship with New Jersey Intergroup, and excerpts from Bill W.’s \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eClubs in A.A.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIllustrations:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Period photograph of the Alanon Club House and location map\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eNo publication date is printed in the pamphlet; however, internal evidence strongly suggests that it was issued around 1948. In the section titled \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e“Finances,”\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e the pamphlet states:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e“The property itself was purchased outright in November, 1944, for $22,000 and is now in its fourth year of operation.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis reference places the publication approximately four years after the 1944 purchase, making \u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ecirca 1948\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e the most likely date.\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 pamphlet remains in good condition overall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe covers and pages show expected age-related toning, light spotting, surface wear, and occasional creasing. There is some light staining and handling wear visible throughout, along with minor wear at the edges and fold.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eThe original stapled binding remains intact, and the printed text, photograph, and map are clear and fully 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\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eA fascinating piece of early Alcoholics Anonymous ephemera documenting the development of A.A. clubhouses, New Jersey Intergroup, and the important distinction between Alcoholics Anonymous groups and the independent social clubs that served many early members.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sean McShane","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49876280967410,"sku":null,"price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0328\/4625\/0120\/files\/347DE527-494C-49DE-B469-EA72876EECF8.jpg?v=1785779150","url":"https:\/\/recoverycollectibles.com\/products\/the-story-of-alanon-of-new-jersey-aa-club-history","provider":"Recovery Collectibles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}