Alcoholics Anonymous

The Original Big Book.  The Alcoholics Anonymous First Printing of the First Edition Big Book from 1939 with the Original Dust Jacket is the most uncommon AA Big Book book to find available for purchase with an exception for the Seventh Printing from 1945 which only had a few hundred copies printed due to printing errors.  There were approximately 4,600 First Printings that were printed in April 1939. For comparison, each of the first 6 printings of the book had approximately 5,000 copies and the Eighth Printing from 1945 had 20,000. With the First Printing being the oldest and most unique of...

During World War II, The United States Government placed regulations on book printings. These regulations were put in place to conserve paper by limiting the size and weight of books. The Alcoholics Anonymous book was given the nickname “The Big Book” because Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst wanted to justify the cost of $3.50. Which at the time was almost unheard of for a book. Consequently, the printer began using thick paper with large margins to increase the size of the book, hence the name “The Big Book.” Clearly, there was no need for such a large book for the...

In the infancy of Alcoholics Anonymous, the Pioneers had success with altruism and spiritual principles. In the fall of 1937, Bill W. and Dr. Bob Smith had a conversation about how to get their message out to more people. Bill had some ideas; a book, paid missionaries, and a for-profit hospital. Dr. Bob loved the idea of a book but was strongly against any more than that. They knew that money would be needed for the writing of a book. Neither had any money, only debt. So Bill pushed forward with ideas of ways to make enough money to support...

We are bringing to you a series about the Alcoholics Anonymous basic text: The Big Book. In this series, we will be discussing much of the history surrounding the First Edition Big Book. The First Printing of the First Edition was published in April of 1939, followed by 15 more printings up until the release of the 2nd Edition in 1955. In all, there were 16 printings that each have a story to tell. Today, these books have become a significant piece of AA History and have become highly sought after collectible items as they have become rarer to find!...