Stepping Stones wins the original A.A. Big Book manuscript at Christie’s

Stepping Stones, the historic home of Alcoholics Anonymous cofounder Bill Wilson and Al-Anon cofounder Lois Wilson in Katonah, New York, won the July 1 Christie’s New York auction of the original hand-edited manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous. The acquisition keeps one of A.A.’s most important artifacts in the place most closely tied to its creation and legacy.

Why it matters: - The manuscript is one of the most important artifacts in Alcoholics Anonymous history. - Returning the document to Stepping Stones keeps it in the home and archive most closely linked to Bill and Lois Wilson. - The manuscript will be available as a recovery-era historic object for future visitors, scholars and members of the recovery community.

What happened: - Stepping Stones won the July 1, 2026, auction at Christie’s New York for the original hand-edited manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous. - The manuscript is widely known as the “A.A. Big Book” and is described as the “Printer’s Copy Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous.” - The purchase brings the manuscript back to Stepping Stones in Katonah, New York, the historic home of Bill Wilson and Lois Wilson. - Bill Barton, Stepping Stones board president, said supporters raised funds to make sure the document remained at Stepping Stones.

The details: - The manuscript contains the Twelve Steps that became central to A.A. and were later used by millions of people and hundreds of other organizations. - Bill Wilson is credited with spearheading the Big Book project, from gathering philosophical and financial support to managing the content and resolving disputes over wording. - Bill Wilson got sober in New York in 1934 and later carried the recovery message to Akron, where he helped A.A.’s other cofounder find recovery. - The annotated manuscript was used by a typesetter at Cornwall Press to produce the book in 1939. - Lois Wilson had hoped the manuscript would be preserved for future generations, according to Sally Corbett-Turco, executive director of The Stepping Stones Foundation. - The foundation called the acquisition unprecedented for Stepping Stones and asked for contributions to preserve, protect and display the manuscript. - The foundation said Stepping Stones already holds more than 110,000 original treasures left by the Wilsons. - Stepping Stones is a private nonprofit tax-exempt organization that supports preservation and operations of the National Historic Landmark home and archive. - The organization’s mission is to foster public understanding of alcoholism and inspire recovery by preserving and sharing the home, archive and legacy of Bill and Lois Wilson. - Stepping Stones sits on eight acres in the Town of Bedford, New York, between Katonah and Bedford Hills. - The site includes the Wilson home, a 1920 Dutch Colonial Revival, Bill W.’s writing studio “Wit’s End,” about 10,000 historic artifacts and 130,000 archival items. - The property also preserves recovery history tied to Bill Wilson’s later writing, including Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, and Lois Wilson’s work cofounding Al-Anon Family Groups. - The foundation said thousands of visitors come each year for tours, workshops, events and quiet reflection. - Stepping Stones also offers presentations, virtual events, tours, an online archive, films, videos, plays, play scripts, volunteer opportunities and internships. - More information is available on Stepping Stones’ website.

Between the lines: - The sale is more than a collectibles transaction; it is a preservation move aimed at keeping a foundational recovery document in a setting that gives it historical context. - The acquisition reinforces Stepping Stones’ role as a center for A.A. and Al-Anon memory, education and public history. - The fundraising effort shows the manuscript’s symbolic value to the recovery community and to supporters of the Wilson legacy.

What's next: - Stepping Stones plans to preserve, protect and display the manuscript as part of its collection. - The foundation is seeking donations to support that work and the broader mission of the site. - Visitors will be able to view the manuscript at the Katonah home as part of future programming and tours.

The bottom line: - One of A.A.’s defining artifacts is staying with the institution most tied to its origin story, not moving deeper into private hands.