Would you pay $40,000 for a 1st Edition, 1st Printing of "Alcoholics Anonymous" signed by Bill Wilson to Margret (Bobbie) Burger ?


#JF100

$40,000.

Alcoholics Anonymous First Edition, First Printing 1939 (Big Book)

SIGNED by Bill Wilson to Margret (Bobbie) Burger Her Personal Book, With ORIGINAL Dust Jacket !

NY: Works Publishing Company, April 1939

This is a very rare A. A. First Edition First Printing Big Book in Near Fine condition previously owned by Bobbie Burger, Bill Wilson's secetrary that he inscribed to her on September, 25 1942 "For my devoted helper, my loyal friend - Margret Burger - "Bill". with a clam shell box and its Original dust jacket in Very Good condition !

Source: http://abookman.com/JF100.htm

Is this book really worth $40.000????? So much for remaining "anonymous" it has her full name on it!

Comments

What makes you think that Margaret Burger was a member of AA?

Why do insurance companies pay upwards of 35 grand for treatment programs? Back in Cincinnati in the 1980's some of us called the care units the "$30,000 Big Book"

they paid 30 grand and got a big book...

Anthro

JR Harris's picture

I am not sure if she was a member or not. But she was given a copy of the scripture that Bill Wilson stole from the fellowship. She was the secretary. Why would she have a book if she wasn't a member? Here is a link to a letter and a partial transcript (bold is mine).

May 18, 1942

To:
Miss Margaret R. Burger, Secretary,
The Alcoholic Foundation,
30 Vesey Street,
New York City.

Dear Miss Burger:

Here's a story of the Philadelphia Group from the handbook standpoint, as requested in your recent mimeograph.
Our nucleus was derived from six alcoholics known to be such through their written contact with Alcoholic Foundation. Two had dried up via the Oxford Group, one of them attempted work upon other alcoholics without plan and without results. Another had attained four months sobriety through the A.A. article in "Liberty". Group organization came in February 1940 when a New York A.A. member moved to our city. He knew the background of the parent group and kept contacts with other fellowships actual or in formation. So we had the benefit of what they had found practicable.

The first few meetings were in the homes of these pioneer members. At the outset we were more fortunate than we knew in eliciting the interest of two physicians of high standing who had alcoholic problems with close relatives. They joined our enterprise with as much ardor as the seven alcoholics and had a large room in St. Luke's Hospital reserved for our Thursday night meetings, which the public may attend. One or the other of the physicians speaks at these meetings. It serves to lend a medical approval to our work.

Read more: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/aahistorybuffs/message/833

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

Pennywise's picture

Any reports on whether he was banging her?

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."

becket's picture

I'm sure JR Harris knows, and he's never wrong.

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

That medical stamp of approval was Bill W's ticket to the big times and he knew it. He saw the power of the medical establishments endorcement while the Oxford groupers stuck with religion. I bet he nearly wet his pants when he realized he helped a doctor get sober....had to have worked wonders for his ego and his big future plans of a medicalized/religious cult following. Shoot high and hope for the best...isn't that how those gambling types think?

Anthro

JR Harris's picture

Letter dated May 18, 1942 outlining how Alcoholics Anonymous canvas Jails for Prospects and use Dr's to lend medical credibility
http://orange-papers.org/forum/node/1693

"Tradition 10 - Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy." Please follow orders from the Interchurch Center if you are an AA member and don't comment.

becket's picture

I'm sure whoever buys the book will find it invaluable, and you will find that person an idiot. This is all so transparent. Don't you have any games to play that don't broadcast the outcome??

“The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.”
― Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian

alkieanon's picture

Court costs - $1000
Lawyer fees: - $10000
Rehab clinic: $20000
Autographed Big Book: Priceless

There are some things money can’t buy, for everything else there’s Alcoholics Anonymous.

....the price of toilet paper just keeps going up and up! :-) And it's not even labelled as an "easier softer toilet tissue." I'd prefer some damned Charmin! ROF

"There's a new sheriff in town."