AA Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions 1953 First Edition First Printing
Offered here is a First Edition, First Printing (1953) of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions—one of the foundational books of Alcoholics Anonymous and Bill W.’s landmark expansion upon the principles first introduced in the Big Book.
Written as A.A. was moving from its formative years into a rapidly growing worldwide Fellowship, the Twelve and Twelve provided something the Big Book had not attempted in the same depth: a detailed examination of each of the Twelve Steps, followed by an equally important exploration of the Twelve Traditions and the hard-earned principles that allowed Alcoholics Anonymous to grow while preserving its unity.
This copy is the Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. issue and retains the distinctive original binding associated with that issue. It is accompanied by a reproduction of the blue-and-black streaked dust jacket for protection and display.
Why the 1953 First Printing Matters
By the early 1950s, Alcoholics Anonymous had already demonstrated that its program could help alcoholics recover. A different challenge had emerged: Could a rapidly expanding Fellowship survive its own growth?
The Twelve Traditions grew from A.A.’s experiences confronting questions of money, authority, publicity, membership, organization, outside affiliation, and group autonomy. Rather than theoretical rules imposed from above, they represented lessons learned during A.A.’s earliest years.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions brought these two sides of A.A. together in a permanent book—the Steps addressing the recovery of the individual and the Traditions addressing the survival and unity of the Fellowship.
The publication itself came during an important period in A.A. history. Bill W. circulated manuscript material for review as the book was being prepared, and the 1953 General Service Conference was closely involved in the period surrounding its publication. A distribution arrangement with Harper & Brothers also helped place the new book before readers outside normal A.A. channels while Alcoholics Anonymous retained its own publishing identity.
Today, an original 1953 first printing represents the beginning of a book that has remained central to A.A. life for more than seven decades.
Two 1953 First-Printing Issues
Collectors encounter two principal issues associated with the original 1953 publication.
The Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. issue, represented by this copy, is associated with the blue-and-black streaked jacket design and an A.A. Publishing title page without an author credit. The binding consists of dark paper-covered boards with a contrasting black cloth spine lettered in gilt.
The Harper & Brothers issue was produced as part of the arrangement intended to broaden distribution outside A.A. channels. It differs in its binding, jacket, title-page information, and Harper identification.
Both belong to the story of the book’s original 1953 appearance, but for collectors of material issued directly by Alcoholics Anonymous, the Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. version has an especially natural place alongside early Big Books and other original A.A. publications.
Edition Details
Title: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions
Edition: First Edition
Printing: First Printing
Year: 1953
Publisher: Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc.
Copyright Page: “FIRST EDITION D-C”
Format: Hardcover
Binding: Paper-covered boards with black cloth spine and gilt lettering
Dust Jacket: Reproduction dust jacket included; original jacket is not present
Condition
This copy is in good condition overall, with a solid and attractive spine but notable evidence of age and previous ownership.
The original boards show general shelf wear, rubbing, scuffing, and discoloration consistent with a book of this age. Most notably, the front board has substantial irregular staining/water marking, readily visible in the photographs. The rear board shows lighter rubbing and surface wear, with additional wear at the corners and edges.
The black cloth spine remains quite presentable, with the gilt title lettering and decorative lines still clearly visible. There is light wear at the spine ends and along the extremities.
Internally, the pages display expected age toning but appear generally clean and well preserved. The binding appears intact and the book remains suitable for careful reading and display.
There are two separate previous-owner inscriptions. A large blue-ink inscription/signature appears on the front pastedown, and another handwritten ownership inscription in red ink appears on the rear pastedown, including a name and address.
The included blue-and-black streaked dust jacket is a reproduction and is not original to the book. It presents very nicely and recreates the appearance associated with the Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. issue while protecting the original binding.
Please view all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description and show the exact copy being offered.
Few books occupy a more important position in the literature of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Big Book introduced the program and carried its message of recovery to the alcoholic; the Twelve and Twelve went deeper into the spiritual principles behind that recovery while preserving the accumulated experience that allowed the Fellowship itself to endure.
This 1953 First Edition, First Printing offers the opportunity to own the Twelve and Twelve as it first appeared during one of the most consequential periods in the development of Alcoholics Anonymous—an important early A.A. collectible and an essential companion to a collection of early Alcoholics Anonymous editions.
