Alcoholics Anonymous

[WILSON, William Griffith ("Bill") (1895–1971), and others.] Alcoholics Anonymous . New York: Works Publishing Company, 1939. First edition, Hank Parkhurst's family copy. With a typed note laid in signed by his grandson, Henry G. Parkhurst III: "This book was given to me by my father (Henry G. Parkhurst, Jr.) who told me that it was given to him by his father, Henry G. Parkhurst, Sr." The volume additionally bears the ownership inscription of J.H. Nixon on the front free endpaper: "J.H. Nixon / His Book / 1939." We do not know J.H. Nixon's specific identity, but he was presumably a relative of Parkhurst's wife, whose maiden name was Kathleen Nixon. Hank Parkhurst was Bill Wilson's closest early collaborator and one of the principal architects of Alcoholics Anonymous. Often described as the movement's "forgotten man," Parkhurst founded Works Publishing, extensively edited the text, assembled many of the personal narratives, and played a vital role in bringing the Big Book to publication. It was Hank Parkhurst's hand most frequently seen in the Big Book working manuscript from the early months of 1939 (see The Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of History , Christie's New York, 1 July 2026, lot 67). Octavo. Half-title, "The Doctor's Opinion" beginning on p. 1, duplicated penultimate line on p. 234. Original red cloth stamped in gilt. Original printed dust-jacket (rubbed, spine ends and tips showing, upper hinge cracked and half-title working loose). Facsimile dust jacket and custom box.

Estimate:£5,286.4

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