Accession Registry
DRM-2026-918
Rarity Classification
Ultra-Legendary
Original Publisher & Origin
Works Publishing Company, New York
Acquisition Date
June 2026
Exhibition Hall: Heritage Archives
AA Grapevine — November 1949 (Tradition Number / “Traditions Week” Issue)
Publisher: The AA Grapevine, Inc.
Publication Date: November 1949
Volume: Vol. VI, No. VI
Theme: “Tradition Number” — Traditions Week
Condition: Excellent — cover clean and intact; pages crisp, lightly toned with age; no writing or markings. Please review all photos for condition details.
Publication Date: November 1949
Volume: Vol. VI, No. VI
Theme: “Tradition Number” — Traditions Week
Condition: Excellent — cover clean and intact; pages crisp, lightly toned with age; no writing or markings. Please review all photos for condition details.
Offered here is the November 1949 issue of the AA Grapevine, one of the most historically significant early issues ever printed. This edition, often referred to as the Tradition Number, centers around the theme of “Traditions Week” — a milestone moment in Alcoholics Anonymous history when the Twelve Traditions were being formally introduced and discussed across the Fellowship.
Among the standout articles in this issue is:
“A Suggestion for Thanksgiving” by Bill — an early piece written by AA co-founder Bill Wilson, encouraging members to reflect on gratitude, unity, and the spiritual foundation of the Traditions.
Other features include essays and editorials exploring the role of the individual within the group, the practical meaning of each Tradition, and AA’s evolving identity as it entered its second decade.
This issue offers not only deep insight into how the Twelve Traditions were first taught and received but also a living connection to the spirit of AA as it matured into a global fellowship.
Landmark Grapevine Issue: Marks one of the earliest themed editions centered on The Twelve Traditions.
Includes Bill W.’s “A Suggestion for Thanksgiving” — an important early reflection linking gratitude with group unity.
Contextualizes the Traditions: Published during the years when the Traditions were first being shaped into their final written form.
A.A. in Transition: Reflects the growing structure and spiritual principles of AA as it moved from infancy toward maturity.
Collector’s Rarity: Grapevines from the 1940s are scarce, especially those containing writings by Bill W. and focused on the development of AA’s Traditions.
This copy is in excellent condition, especially considering its 75-year age. Clean cover with clear printing and no fading. Clean interior pages with light toning and no tears or markings. Fully intact and well-preserved.
Please view all photos for complete details.
A rare and beautifully preserved November 1949 Grapevine — the Tradition Number, featuring Bill W.’s “A Suggestion for Thanksgiving.” A vital artifact from the formative years of Alcoholics Anonymous, capturing the spirit of gratitude, unity, and humility that defines the Fellowship’s legacy.
An essential addition for collectors of early A.A. literature and Grapevine history.
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