Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions | Third Printing — December 1958 — RDJ
Offered here is an early Third Printing of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, published by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. in December 1958. This copy is accompanied by a reproduction of the early dust jacket, giving it the appearance of the original period issue while preserving the affordability of an early printing.
First published in 1953, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions—commonly known throughout A.A. as the “12 & 12”—became one of the foundational books of Alcoholics Anonymous literature.
Written by A.A. co-founder Bill W., the book presents a chapter-length discussion of each of the Twelve Steps, followed by Bill’s essays on each of the Twelve Traditions. Together, they explore both sides of the A.A. experience: the principles by which individual members recover and the principles developed to preserve the unity and function of the Fellowship itself.
The book’s early Foreword captures A.A. at a particularly interesting moment in its development, describing a worldwide fellowship of more than 100,000 men and women and reflecting on the rapid growth that had helped give rise to the Twelve Traditions.
Identifying the Third Printing
The early Second and Third Printings of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions are very similar, and the copyright page does not provide a conventional printing statement.
An important identifying point appears at the bottom of page 18. In this copy, the address for A.A.’s World Service Center concludes:
“Grand Central Station, New York 17, N. Y., U.S.A.”
This textual point distinguishes the Third Printing and is useful to collectors identifying these early issues.
Edition Details
Title: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Author: Bill W.
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Printing: Third Printing
Date: December 1958
Format: Hardcover
Dust Jacket: Reproduction of the period dust jacket
Condition
Book: Good condition. The original quarter-cloth hardcover binding remains intact, with green paper-covered boards and a black cloth spine with gilt lettering. There is general age and handling wear throughout, including rubbing and wear along the board edges and corners, light surface marks and discoloration to the boards, and wear at the head and foot of the spine. The gilt spine lettering remains clear and attractive.
The interior is generally clean and well preserved, with expected age toning and some discoloration to the endpapers. A previous owner’s information on the front free endpaper has been obscured/covered. The binding appears sound and the text remains clean and readily readable.
Dust Jacket: Reproduction dust jacket. Bright, clean, and highly displayable, reproducing the distinctive early Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions jacket design.
Please review all photographs carefully for the most accurate representation of condition.
Collector’s Note
Published only five years after the first printing, this December 1958 Third Printing comes from the formative years of the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, when the book was still a relatively new addition to A.A. literature.
Early copies provide a tangible connection to the period when the “12 & 12” was becoming established within A.A. sponsorship, Step study, group life, and service. For collectors building a chronological collection of A.A. literature, the early Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. printings represent an important chapter in that history.
A solid and attractive early Third Printing of one of Alcoholics Anonymous’ cornerstone texts, presented with a reproduction of its classic early dust jacket.
