Original Working Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous Sold for $2,393,000
The Big Book sold by Christie's
The original working manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous known as the 'Big Book' has been sold for $2,393,000 at Christie's to a non-profit that manages the house of one of the two authors of the book, the late Bill Wilson.
“It’s coming home!” shouted Sally Corbett-Turco after placing the winning bid at the The Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of History sale on behalf of Stepping Stones Foundation - The Historic Home of Bill and Lois Wilson where Ms. Corbett-Turco is the Executive Director.
“The Stepping Stones Foundation is grateful that the manuscript is returning home to be the centerpiece of Stepping Stones collection,” she said. “Just as Lois Wilson hoped, the manuscript will be available for future generations of people in recovery to see and be inspired. They will experience it in a place deeply connected to its history and meaning.”
All of the proceeds of the sale of the working manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous will be donated to philanthropic causes supported by Jim Irsay, the late philanthropist and owner of the Indianapolis Colts. When the sale of the book was first announced in June his daughters Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, and Kalen Jackson, said: “Dad acquired The Big Book to preserve and protect it, but also to continue sharing its knowledge with the world. Now it’s time for the next chapter in the life of the book, and we will honor our dad’s commitment to helping others by donating 100 percent of the proceeds of its sale to philanthropy that was close to his heart. The new owner of The Big Book will become its steward for the future but also will be providing significant funds to a great cause.”
Other highlights in the sale included:
- a letter from George Washington to Thomas Jefferson transmitting a draft copy of the Constitution for Jefferson’s review (sold for $2,759,000)
- the Stone Copy of the Declaration of Independence, the most accurate of all early facsimiles of the Declaration ($2,027,000)
- a pair of tickets to Ford's Theatre, stamped for the night of Lincoln's assassination ($330,200)
