A Book that Heals the Spirit
- By Michael Stillman
Pages from “Bill W.’s” annotated master typescript copy of the “Big Book”
By Michael Stillman
On June 18, 2004, one of the most influential books ever written went on the auction block at Sotheby’s in New York. It is a book reverentially called the “Big Book,” though its official title is “Alcoholics Anonymous.” The “Big Book” is the bible of that organization and the millions of members whose lives have been saved by its advice. Those who have not suffered from alcoholism nor been closely touched by those who do may know little of this book, but for many of those who have wrestled this beast, it has literally been the difference between life and death.
Alcoholics Anonymous was formed in 1935 when a New York businessman and Akron doctor, both alcoholics, met. The businessman, William Wilson, better known by the anonymous moniker “Bill W.,” was in the process of recovery, while the physician, Robert Smith, or “Dr. Bob,” was deep in the struggle. In working out their issues together, the two men reached one momentous conclusion. They determined that fellow alcoholics, who had lived with and understood the disease, were the best suited to help others free themselves from its grasp. Alcoholics helping alcoholics. And all anonymously, so that people could seek help without fear of embarrassment or punishment for their condition. They created a 12-step program which alcoholics, working together, could use to lift themselves from their addiction.
The group slowly gathered new members seeking help, and a few other supporters, including John D. Rockefeller, Jr. In 1938, they published the “Big Book.” Early copies of the “Big Book,” especially signed ones, have been collectible for quite some time, but the one offered by Sotheby’s was special. This was the master draft copy, typewritten but filled with handwritten annotations. The master had been passed around to many people for their comments, which are written in the margins and other blank spaces. It is believed that some of the annotations were made by Wilson, aka “Bill W.”
Alcoholics Anonymous would receive publicity in the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Liberty Magazine in 1939, which would help the organization grow. However, it was an article in the Saturday Evening Post in 1941 which really brought it to the public’s attention. This gave the organization national exposure, and exposed a need for their services perhaps greater than anyone might have imagined. Today, A.A. is a global organization helping victims of alcoholism all over the world. They have an estimated 2,000,000 current members according to the A.A. website, but even this is likely a small fraction of the number of people they have helped over the years.
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A Book that Heals the Spirit
- By Michael Stillman
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The master sold by Sotheby’s had been consigned to the firm by the owner, who had inherited it from an aunt. His aunt was a friend of “Bill W.” Both the owner and his aunt were alcoholics themselves. Along with the master “Big Book” were a few other items, including a second edition inscribed by Mr. Wilson to the seller’s aunt. Lauren Gioia of Sotheby’s explained that “it was some time before he (the seller) realized what he had.” Ultimately, it turned out that not even Sotheby’s fully understood. Placing a seemingly high estimate of $300,000-$500,000 on the book, the bids blew by everyone’s expectations, finally closing at $1,576,000, over three to five times the expected price. Asked what happened, Ms. Gioia noted that in setting the estimate, they found no comparable sales of 20th century nonfiction outside of this range. However, there turned out to be four serious bidders. Ms. Gioia noted that it takes only two bidders to drive prices to unexpected levels, but when there are four, the results can go to surprising heights.
Near the end, the bidding dropped to two, and when the last bid was received, the winner was William Shenk of La Jolla, California. Ms. Gioia said that Shenk is a personal collector, but did not want to give out any information beyond his name or be interviewed about his purchase. Evidently Mr. Shenk is a low-key collector, apparently an investor and attorney with ties to the “Big Book’s” native Ohio as well as California. What he intends to do with this book, both short term and long term, remains unknown. One further comment from a recovering alcoholic.
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A Book that Heals the Spirit
- By Michael Stillman
none
A Book that Heals the Spirit
When you have a disease you usually go to a doctor for a prescription but when you have the most common serious and often fatal chronic illness known to man, alcoholism, what a doctor can suggest is a book to read and meetings to attend. Unlike many serious illnesses that respond to drugs, alcoholism responds only to the alcoholic’s will to recover. The realization that alcoholism can be treated by a series of self-help steps is the spark of absolute genius that animated the creation of AA and the twelve steps to recovery as explained in the Big Book of AA. At Sotheby’s on June 18th, an original annotated multilith copy, a working draft of the Big Book, was sold for more than $1.5 million to a collector from California. He now owns that which, to retain its power, must be given away.
Those who attend AA meetings know that it is not the quality of the surroundings that make the meetings work. It is the shared belief in the steps and the individual’s surrender of their will to a higher power that enables participants over time to reestablish control over their lives. Millions of people have regained their sobriety in AA. For them it is the steps and the support in recovery that fellow AA members offer that is essential. For them historical artifacts are unimportant. Nevertheless this draft of the original Big Book is important to AA and should belong to them. Let’s hope that in time it finds its way there.
| Bruce McKinney |
| AE |
| Recovering Alcoholic |
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