April 10 in A.A. History

1939: Alcoholics Anonymous [right] was first published in an initial print run of 4,650 copies (some sources say 4,730). The publisher, Cornwall Press, was instructed to use the thickest paper stock available, resulting in a large, bulky volume that became known as the “Big Book,” a name that has endured. Bill W. later wrote that the thick paper was intentionally chosen to make alcoholics feel that they were getting their money’s worth. Given Works Publishing’s precarious financial situation, Cornwall Press minimized its risk by binding only 1,000 copies, leaving the remainder unbound. Works Publishing was billed $1,783.15 [~$41,900 in 2026], of which $884.26—just under half—had already been paid. Bill and Hank P. drove to the Cornwall Press bookbinder’s office in New York City to pick up 112 copies, returning the next day for three more. Bill set aside the first copy from the first box as a Christmas gift for his wife, Lois.
    Evidently, copyright had received little consideration before the book’s publication. Ruth Hock’s initial package was sent to Fitz M.—he and Florence R. were in Washington, D.C., trying to establish the first local A.A. group. It contained two copies of the first printing of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous and a letter with the following instructions:

    We are forwarding to you today, two copies of “Alcoholics Anonymous” and a check for $2.00 [~$47 in 2026], and wonder if you would do something which would be very helpful at this end. It is important that “Alcoholics Anonymous” be registered at the Copywright [sic] Office in Washington, D.C. in the name of Works Publishing Company at the earliest possible moment [left: application for copyright]…
    The two books for copywright [sic] purposes are coming forward to you marked special handling, special delivery, so will you rush them through for us?
    A book for you and also one for Florence are also in the mail, but regular delivery.
    Will you let us know the minute you have “Alcoholics Anonymous” registered?

1958: The International Conference of Young People in Alcoholics Anonymous (ICYPAA) announced its inaugural conference in a press release [near right]. The conference was scheduled for 26–27 April 1958, at the Niagara Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York [far right: Niagara Falls, New York, from Goat Island; Hotel Niagara is red building with curved exterior left of center (Mar 2019)]

1979: Barry L. signed a notarized letter [left] donating his original spiral-bound multilith copy of Alcoholics Anonymous—a copy his good friend, Lois W., had temporarily gifted to him. The letter stipulated that Barry would retain possession of the book until his death, at which time it would be transferred to A.A. World Services, Inc.