(Alcoholics Anonymous)

First Draft The Twelve Traditions from Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. Bedford Hills, NY, May, 1952

8 1/2 x 11 in.; 215 x 280 mm; Typescript – 50 pages – staple in upper left-hand corner. First page detached. Minor corrections in pencil throughout in an unknown hand. Inscribed in blue pen, “For Fred G. – First draft of tradition essays – ever. Bill, Bedford Hills, May / 52.”

The first draft of William Griffith Wilson’s Twelve Traditions – an important publication from the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous – inscribed by the author.  Bill Wilson - known throughout his lifetime as “Bill W.” - first conceptualized many of the principles that would become the twelve traditions following the publication of AA’s seminal text “The Big Book” in 1939. The Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous; New York: Works Publishing Company, 1939) laid out the tenets of the burgeoning organization alongside personal narratives of recovery – most noteworthy for the introduction of the twelve step treatment method. Following its publication, AA experienced a period of rapid growth which laid bare some overarching governance issues within the organization. In the words of Harrison M. Trice: “Without organizational mechanics to guide this sudden expansion, the society experienced a period of confusion.”  (Alcoholics Anonymous, the American Academy of Political and Social Science,p. 111). In order to address the growing discord, Wilson and his colleagues developed twelve rules of governance that would later become the Twelve Traditions.

The Twelve Traditions were developed through extensive correspondence with regional Alcoholics Anonymous groups from 1942 to 1946. They first appeared in print in 1946 in The Grapevine under the title “Twelve Suggested Points for AA Tradition.” In 1950, AA held their first International Convention in Cleveland; at that gathering the Twelve Traditions were unanimously adopted into the organization’s charter. Wilson compiled the material into a book, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, which was then published in two editions in June of 1953. The Traditions are wide ranging in subject, and address everything from finances (groups should be entirely self-supporting) to public relations (maintaining anonymity at all times). The ultimate goal of the traditions is to ensure the health and longevity of the organization. As Wilson writes on page 3 of the present typescript: “By faith and by works we have been able to build upon the lessons of an incredible experience. These live today in the Twelve Traditions of Alcoholics Anonymous, which – God willing – shall sustain us in unity for so long as he may need us.”

Alcoholics Anonymous is an international organization that has helped millions of alcoholics cope with addiction. The twelve step treatment program has been adopted by numerous other organizations to aid in the treatment of other disorders, including narcotics addition, overeating, gambling, and sex addiction. In 2004, Sotheby’s also sold the working manuscript of the previously mentioned “Big Book” – Alcoholics Anonymous for $1,400,000.