Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions — First Edition, First Printing (1953) — Inscribed by Bill W. — Custom Bound
A Remarkably Personal Piece of A.A. History
Offered here is a First Edition, First Printing of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, published in 1953 by Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc., with an extraordinary personal association: the book is inscribed by Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson to Eleanor “Ellie” Leahey in gratitude for her part in the celebration of his 22nd anniversary of sobriety.
More than simply a signed first printing, this is a book that was clearly owned, used, studied, and personalized by someone within Bill Wilson’s circle. Its custom binding, extensive handwritten notes, and deeply personal inscription give the volume a character entirely different from an untouched collector’s copy.
Bill Wilson’s Inscription
On the original first blank page, Bill W. wrote:
“Dear Eleanor —
Please have this
in gratitude for
your part in my
22nd anniversary.
Ever,
Bill”
NY | 11/20/56
The date is particularly meaningful. Bill Wilson’s sobriety date was December 11, 1934, making 1956 the year of his 22nd anniversary. Rather than a routine autograph, the inscription records Bill personally thanking Eleanor for the part she played in marking that milestone.
Eleanor “Ellie” Leahey’s Copy
The recipient was Eleanor “Ellie” Leahey, whose name and address labels remain affixed to the front pastedown.
At some point during her ownership, the volume was professionally rebound in red cloth, with the title stamped in gold on the spine and her initials, “E.B.L.,” stamped in gold at the lower corner of the front board.
As part of the custom binding, two additional leaves were inserted at the front of the volume. Importantly, Bill’s inscription appears on the original first blank leaf of the book, preserved within the new binding.
This personalization makes the book particularly compelling. It was not simply acquired as a collectible and placed on a shelf—it became Eleanor’s own working copy.
A Book That Was Used
Throughout the text are extensive handwritten annotations, underlining, marginal notes, and highlighting. The markings provide a fascinating glimpse into the way the book was actually read and studied.
Words and passages were underlined. Thoughts were written into the margins. Sections were emphasized and commented upon. The book bears the evidence of years of engagement with the Steps and Traditions.
For a volume with this association, those signs of use are an important part of its story.
The First Printing of the Twelve & Twelve
Published in 1953, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions was Bill Wilson’s second major book-length contribution to A.A. literature following Alcoholics Anonymous.
While the Big Book established A.A.’s program and preserved the experiences of its early members, the Twelve & Twelve allowed Bill to explore each of the Twelve Steps individually and to provide extended essays on the Twelve Traditions that had developed during A.A.’s extraordinary growth in the 1940s.
This copy is the Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. issue of the First Edition, First Printing, identified on the copyright page by the “FIRST EDITION / D-C” statement.
That alone makes it an important early A.A. publication. Bill’s personal inscription transforms this particular copy into an association piece tied directly to his own recovery history.
Condition
The book is in good condition, custom bound in red cloth with gilt spine lettering and the owner’s initials, E.B.L., stamped in gilt on the front board. The binding remains attractive and presents well, with some light exterior wear.
The interior shows considerable evidence of use. There are handwritten notes, marginal annotations, underlining, and highlighting throughout, along with scattered staining and other signs of age and handling. Owner address labels are affixed to the front pastedown, and additional handwritten information appears among the preliminary leaves.
An additional pages were incorporated at the front when the book was custom bound. Bill Wilson’s inscription remains on the original first blank page.
No dust jacket is present.
Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Collector’s Note
There are first printings of the Twelve & Twelve, and there are signed copies. This volume offers something considerably more personal: a first printing given by Bill Wilson to a known recipient specifically in gratitude for her participation in the celebration of his 22nd year of sobriety.
Its custom binding bearing Eleanor’s initials and its heavily worked interior preserve what happened afterward—the book became hers. She read it, marked it, studied it, and made it her own.
For the collector of significant A.A. association material, that combination of first-printing status, direct Bill Wilson inscription, named recipient, anniversary connection, and evidence of personal use gives this copy a remarkable story.
