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Details
THE ORIGINAL "WORKING MANUSCRIPT" OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
WILLIAM GRIFFITH “BILL” WILSON (1895-1971) and HENRY GIFFEN “HANK” PARKHURST (1895-1954). Multilith-printed typed manuscript with copious handwritten annotations and revisions by multiple people, including by Bill Wilson, the majority by Hank Parkhurst, compiling the notes sent by other A.A. members and early religious and medical readers. Newark, New Jersey, [February-April 1939].
167 pages, 280 x 215 mm. Original Multilith-printed typescript, with three pages written in pencil; annotations and revisions by several founders of AA, largely in graphite, green, and red pencil but a few in ink; leaves encapsulated in mylar (lightly browned). Housed in a red cloth binder with morocco lettering piece: “Printer's Copy M[anu]s[cript]." With a presentation leaf from Lois Wilson (Bill’s widow) bound in: “I joyfully give this multilith copy of the AA book, one of my most precious possessions, to you, dear Barry, as evidence of my deep gratitude for all you have done for AA, for Al-Anon, & particularly for me ... 1/1/78.”
Sale proceeds of this lot will benefit the charitable causes supported throughout the lifetime of Jim Irsay.
WILLIAM GRIFFITH “BILL” WILSON (1895-1971) and HENRY GIFFEN “HANK” PARKHURST (1895-1954). Multilith-printed typed manuscript with copious handwritten annotations and revisions by multiple people, including by Bill Wilson, the majority by Hank Parkhurst, compiling the notes sent by other A.A. members and early religious and medical readers. Newark, New Jersey, [February-April 1939].
167 pages, 280 x 215 mm. Original Multilith-printed typescript, with three pages written in pencil; annotations and revisions by several founders of AA, largely in graphite, green, and red pencil but a few in ink; leaves encapsulated in mylar (lightly browned). Housed in a red cloth binder with morocco lettering piece: “Printer's Copy M[anu]s[cript]." With a presentation leaf from Lois Wilson (Bill’s widow) bound in: “I joyfully give this multilith copy of the AA book, one of my most precious possessions, to you, dear Barry, as evidence of my deep gratitude for all you have done for AA, for Al-Anon, & particularly for me ... 1/1/78.”
Sale proceeds of this lot will benefit the charitable causes supported throughout the lifetime of Jim Irsay.
Provenance
William Griffith Wilson (1895-1971), to his wife:
Lois Wilson (1891-1988), in 1978 to:
Barry Leach (d.1985)
[Joseph B.'s aunt, given circa 2001 to:]
Joseph B.; sold Sotheby's New York, 18 June 2004, lot 330, to:
William A. Shenk; sold Sotheby’s New York, 21 June 2007, lot 149, to:
Ken Roberts; sold Profiles in History, 5 May 2018, lot 1, to:
Jim Irsay
Lois Wilson (1891-1988), in 1978 to:
Barry Leach (d.1985)
[Joseph B.'s aunt, given circa 2001 to:]
Joseph B.; sold Sotheby's New York, 18 June 2004, lot 330, to:
William A. Shenk; sold Sotheby’s New York, 21 June 2007, lot 149, to:
Ken Roberts; sold Profiles in History, 5 May 2018, lot 1, to:
Jim Irsay
Literature
Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How Many Thousands of Men and Women have Recovered from Alcoholism. Fourth edition. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 2001.
The Book That Started It All: The Original Working Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous. Center City, Minnesota: Hazeldon Publishing, 2010. (A copy of this book is included with the lot.)
Schaberg, William H. Writing the Big Book: the Creation of A.A. Las Vegas: Central Recovery Press, 2019.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1953.
The Book That Started It All: The Original Working Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous. Center City, Minnesota: Hazeldon Publishing, 2010. (A copy of this book is included with the lot.)
Schaberg, William H. Writing the Big Book: the Creation of A.A. Las Vegas: Central Recovery Press, 2019.
Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. New York: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1953.
Exhibited
Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana, 2/17/2021-8/13/2021
Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza Nashville, Tennessee, 9/25/2021
Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center, Washington, D.C., 11/2/2021
Four Seasons Hotel Austin, Austin, Texas, 12/9/2021
Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, California, 3/12/2022
Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, New York, New York, 6⁄2-3⁄2022
Suburban North Club, Noblesville, Indiana, 2022-2025
Aon Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier Event Center, Chicago, Illinois, 8/2/2022
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 9/9/2022
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California,12/8/2022
Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, 3/4/2023
T.D. Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, 7/15/2023
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, 9/8/2023
Mobilize Recovery, Washington, D.C., 9⁄18-20⁄2023
The Kennedy Forum / JFK Presidential Library, Boston, Massachusetts, 10⁄3-4⁄2023
Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles, California, 1/11/2024
Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza Nashville, Tennessee, 9/25/2021
Top of the Hill Banquet & Conference Center, Washington, D.C., 11/2/2021
Four Seasons Hotel Austin, Austin, Texas, 12/9/2021
Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, California, 3/12/2022
Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center, New York, New York, 6⁄2-3⁄2022
Suburban North Club, Noblesville, Indiana, 2022-2025
Aon Grand Ballroom, Navy Pier Event Center, Chicago, Illinois, 8/2/2022
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA 9/9/2022
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California,12/8/2022
Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, 3/4/2023
T.D. Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, 7/15/2023
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana, 9/8/2023
Mobilize Recovery, Washington, D.C., 9⁄18-20⁄2023
The Kennedy Forum / JFK Presidential Library, Boston, Massachusetts, 10⁄3-4⁄2023
Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall, Los Angeles, California, 1/11/2024
Brought to you by
Peter Klarnet
Senior Specialist, Americana
Check the condition report or get in touch for additional information about this