Friday, January 4, 2013

Please Help Us Place This Historical Treasure - DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers Edited Manuscript Copy


Your Help, Please, With This Extraordinary Edited Manuscript Copy

Of

DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers

Will you, or someone you know, please help us find a steward and home for the large, edited manuscript copy of DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers

This exact copy was acquired by my deceased friend Dennis Cassidy of Connecticut from the very people instrumental in preparing and editing the original manuscript itself. It has their written edits and corrections. It has their full names. It was completed before chapters themselves were designated. And, like the original Big Book printer’s manuscript recently purchased at auction and then published by Hazelden, it has immense historical value and can be very instructive as to what Dr. Bob,  Anne  Smith, and the Akron pioneers did and said in connection with Akron AA founded in 1935.

We acquired this book from the sister of A.A. historian Dennis Cassidy upon his death when he asked her to make it available to me because “Dick will know what to do with it.” Dennis and I had been speakers together, researchers together, buyers of A.A. history items together, and long-time A.A. friends and historians.

We now have two suitable location choices where the work might be placed, be freely accessible, be studied, and be stewarded  by avid A.A history folks—also Christians wishing to highlight the documented story of old school A.A. One is the Dr. Bob Core Library at the Smith family’s North Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury—a  relatively remote spot. The other is Rock Church—the largest church in San Diego. Rock is filled with people in recovery, has a vibrant hands-on recovery  ministry, and much respects and admires Dr. Bob and his contribution to A.A. Rock Church is willing to house the book and enable its visitation.

But neither possible location has the funds to acquire it, pay for the shipping and handling, or cover the cost of acquisition. You can be of great service by acquiring or putting someone in touch with us—you or someone who realizes the importance of preserving the document and making it readily accessible for viewing, studying, and analytical writing. And, of course, possibly acquiring it and placing it or housing it himself. Please contact Dick B. or Ken B. at 808 276 4945 or PO Box 837, Kihei, HI 96753-0837.

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