PBA Galleries

The AA “Big Book” in the original red cloth; one of the most influential and important books of the twentieth century, changing millions of lives through it’s revered methods of self-treatment and helping alcoholics survive their confrontation with the "demon rum." With "Copyright, April, 1939" on the copyright page. Reportedly, only approximately 4,760 of the ordered 5000 copies were printed of this highly desirable first published appearance due to a shortage of paper. This copy inscribed in ink on the front free endpaper, "To Dwight C. Ensign, 4-20-39, Frank J. Sladen. Recall: Bill Wilson, p.10; Archie Trowbridge, p.332." Frank J. Sladen, MD, was the first doctor at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and served as its Physician-in-Chief from 1915 until his retirement in 1953. Dwight C. Ensign, MD, came to HFH in 1924 as an intern. He stayed at the Hospital for 58 years.