Alcoholics Anonymous the Collecting and History

Bill Wilson's Alcoholics Anonymous

History
Has there ever been one book thatis thesingle most sought after for collecting in history? There can be no question that Bill Willson's Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most sought after books.
Alcoholism has been a problem in society for quite some time, taking more lives and wrecking more homes than most people give credit for. In 1935, on Mother's Day, in Akron Ohio, what could be argued as one of the most positive events of the 20th century took place. Two men utterly consumed by "the drink" discovered a solution -- not a scientific cure for alcoholism, but a way NOT to drink -- one day at a time.
The interesting thing about the starting of this phenomenal book was that is stated in a circle. The very small group that lived one day at a time soon became a gemunity. The gemunity held all walks of life from the very tops of society to the dregs of the earth.All of them sitting together, laughing together, crying together, talking about strange things, the fellowship that was so oddly held together had people scratching there heads. People ended up saying "I don't understand this yet but i want in." Soon the small group of 2 or 3 became many groups, than a large gemunity. Then they decided to write it all down.

Printing History
The Sixteen Printings (1939-1955)of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous, the original work and contributions of these first 100 or so men and women led by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith, is long out of print. The Sixteen Printing (1955-1974)of the Second Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous is to Long out of Print and highly collectible. The Seventy Four Printings (1974-2001) of the Third Edition with the early printing being collectible. The Fourth Edition starting in 2001 is still in print and having been re-vised to meet the needs of the current public.
The First 7 printings of Alcoholics Anonymous are genuinely scarce. The 2nd through 7th had a print run of only 5000 copies (the coveted 1st printings, "the Red book," having only 4,730). For those whose aspirations and/or budgets do not extend to those heights, the 8th through 16th printings, who's print runs varied from about 15,000 to 50,000 copies, are much more affordable, starting around $400.
Almost every printing of this book tells a story, that's why each print section has a different value. The "green book" The unaccountably rare (everyone's got a theory) 7th printing...the little 8th, published under paper rationing strictures of WWII. With each printing have a history from the people that were evolved in the stories. The reason for the earlier printings being worth so much is the history and link you get from it's founding authors.

In addition to the first editions, there are many avenues for one that wants to start collecting AA material. The once lightly regarded 2nd editions with their unique reversible dust jackets have been seriously collected for the past several years. Other influences that have written novels include Charles Jackson LOST WEEKEND, Upton Sinclair's CUP OF FURY and biographies such as Lillian Roth's I'LL CRY TOMORROW are all possible ways to go in collecting material.
This little book also described as the Big Book, as left its mark across History for the past 60 years or so. The collecting of this book and all of its printings will continue to grow, just as the book has over the decades. Your collection can start with one book and continue to grow as you see fit. The book is highly collectable and a great show case on your book shelf!
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