[ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS]. [WILSON, William Griffith "Bill" (1895-1971)]. Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism ["The Big Red Book"]. New York City: Works Publishing Company, 1939. 8vo. [viii+] 400pp [+6]. Original red cloth stamped gilt in unclipped dust jacket, housed in custom red cloth drop-spine box. FIRST EDITION, FIRST PRINTING, IN FINE CONDITION, with all points present, including repetition on p234 and "One Hundred Men" in title. This remarkable association copy was gifted by Bill Wilson ("Bill W.") to his brother-in-law, Rogers Burnham, and is INSCRIBED on the front endpapers by Burnham and his wife: "Laura S Burnham / and / Rogers Burnham / October 1940 / from 'Bill,'" and "Laura S Burnham / and / Rogers Burnham / Manchester Depot / Vermont." 

Rogers Burnham served as the best man at Wilson's wedding in 1918, having originally introduced Wilson to his sister, Lois Burnham. After returning from military service in 1919, Wilson developed the severe alcohol dependency that ultimately led to the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous. The group began on June 10, 1935, in Akron, Ohio, when Wilson's first recruit and co-founder, Bob Smith ("Dr. Bob"), had his last drink. Soon after, the men began to work with alcoholics at Akron City Hospital. In 1938, after realizing their ideas had kept some 40 members sober for 2 years, Wilson and Smith began outlining their iconic twelve-step program in this volume.

The first printing in 1939 comprised 4,650 examples, of which it is estimated only 200 remain with original dust jackets (Fine Books, 2019). The volume's thick paper and wide margins earned it the affectionate nickname "the Big Red Book," while the bright, multi-colored cover by Ray Campbell became known as the "Circus Jacket." The first edition presents the core Twelve Steps along with 29 personal stories, including those of Bill W. and Dr. Bob, and remains the core manual of AA principles, with hundreds of millions copies sold through subsequent editions and translations. This fine first printing, complete with original dust jacket and family provenance, is a stunning association copy of one of the 88 "books that shaped America" (LOC, 2012). 

Dust jacket with minor rubbing and chipping at extremities, a few tears closed with several tape repairs on verso. Infrequent thumbstaining or spotting. A remarkable bright, clean copy. Fine.