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Book Details Title: Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women Have Recovered from Alcoholism (?Big Book?) Author: Alcoholics Anonymous Signed: Yes ? inscribed and signed by Nell Wing Publisher: Works Publishing, Inc. Edition: First Edition Printing: First Printing (April 1939) Publication Year: 1939 Binding: Red cloth hardcover, with reproduction ?circus jacket? dust jacket Dust Jacket Condition: Reproduction jacket (not original) Condition: Very Good ? red cloth bright; gilt lettering slightly faded; binding strong; moderate age toning; three blank pages at back (instead of four, suggesting re-covering); clean interior apart from inscription; minor stains to page edges Illustrator/Editor/Preface: Dust jacket design by Ray Campbell; includes historical stories and appendix Limited Edition Details: Approximately 4,650 copies printed in the First Printing Signature Details: Nell Wing inscription reads: ?Hi Don! Happy, also, to send you best wishes - stay well, and it?s grand to sign this book! Nell Wing? Provenance: Signed by Nell Wing, Bill W.?s longtime secretary and AA?s first archivist Rarity / Collectibility: One of the earliest copies of AA?s foundational text, scarce First Printing (1939) signed by Nell Wing. Highly desirable piece of AA history. Description This is a First Edition, First Printing of the Alcoholics Anonymous ?Big Book,? published in April 1939 in a run of approximately 4,650 copies. This copy includes a reproduction of the iconic red-and-yellow ?circus? dust jacket and has been inscribed and signed by Nell Wing, Bill W.?s longtime secretary, A.A.?s first archivist, and author of Grateful to Have Been There. Nell Wing?s warm inscription reads: ?Hi Don! Happy, also, to send you best wishes - stay well, and it?s grand to sign this book! Nell Wing.? Wing worked closely with Bill W. in New York from 1947 until his passing, later serving as archivist at GSO and working with Lois Wilson at Stepping Stones until Lois?s passing in 1988. Her 42 years of service left an indelible mark on A.A. history. The First Printing Big Book is a landmark in recovery publishing. Nicknamed the ?Big Book? because of its unusually large size and thick paper, it was produced under severe financial strain by Works Publishing. The Cornwall Press reluctantly shortened the print run to 4,650 copies due to concerns about payment. Early copies were bound in red cloth and issued with the now-famous circus jacket designed by Ray Campbell. Unique features of the First Printing include page 1 beginning with ?The Doctor?s Opinion,? and a typographical error on page 234 where two lines were repeated. This edition also contains the earliest collection of personal stories, including ?Doctor Bob?s Nightmare,? ?The Unbeliever,? ?Our Southern Friend,? ?Home Brewmeister,? ?My Wife and I,? ?An Artist?s Concept,? and the only appearance of ?Lone Endeavor,? dropped after the First Printing. A rare and highly desirable collectible, combining the scarcity of the First Printing with the added value of Nell Wing?s signature and inscription. A key item for serious collectors, institutions, and AA historians. Condition Notes Red cloth bright and clean; gilt lettering faded slightly. Binding and spine firm. Moderate age toning to pages; no markings beyond Nell Wing?s inscription. Three blank pages at back (instead of four) indicate professional re-covering; work done to a high standard. Page edges show light staining. Reproduction dust jacket present, bright and intact. Please review all photos for exact condition and details.
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