The Leyshon Collection gathers two dozen books and an assortment of documents and ephemera from the first decades of Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon. Included is a first printing of Alcoholics Anonymous (1939), two books signed by Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson, and several other early editions of both the ‘Big Book’ and other foundational A.A. texts. The collection was assembled by Webster “Chad” and Martha “Marty” Leyshon between 1963 and 2010, and also includes photos, documents and other ephemera from their shared lifetime of service to the Metro D.C. recovery community.
Chad Leyshon (1925-2013) entered A.A. in 1963 after his wife began attending Al-Anon meetings in 1961. When he passed away on May 20th, 2013 he was just two weeks shy of celebrating 50 years of sobriety. Recalling their father’s early recovery, his family remembers Chad “having all-night talks” with struggling alcoholics, driving folks to A.A. meetings, and facilitating gatherings at nearby correctional institutions and hospitals. In the following five decades, Marty and Chad (who worked for thirty-seven years with the National Institute of Health) became beloved members of the local recovery community, won numerous awards for their service, and became involved with A.A./Al-Anon/Alateen leadership at the state, national, and international levels. Always committed to serving others, the Leyshon’s were also active in the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s. This collection represents two lifetimes dedicated to service; of turning their own struggles into an opportunity to help others overcome addiction.
Webster “Chad” Leyshon Service and Awards:
Service: A.A. General Service (Area 13) Committee Chair; A.A. General Service (Area 13) Archivist; Delegate to National and International Conventions of A.A.
Awards: 1986 NIDR EEO Special Achievement Award (presented by then-Surgeon General C. Everett Koop); 1978 NIH Merit Award (“For long and dedicated service as a volunteer counselor with the Alcoholism Rehabilitation Program.”); 1977 Certificate of Appreciation Awarded by the Washington Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for Outstanding Contribution In Volunteer Community Service.
Marty Leyshon Service and Awards:
Service: Al-Anon Intergroup Chairperson; Al-Anon Speakers Bureau, Al-Anon Public Affairs; Al-Anon Annual Conference Coordinator; National Al-Anon Representative to the 1970 White House Conference on Children and Youth; Alateen Group Co-Sponsor; Local Alateen-Sponsor’s Forum.
Awards: 1977 Certificate of Appreciation Awarded by the Washington Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse for Outstanding Contribution In Volunteer Community Service.
Shelved Room A, top shelf near S Desk.
Books
1. THE A.A. WAY OF LIFE: A READER BY BILL [Presentation Copy]; Bill W. [William Wilson]; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services : New York, 1967; First Printing. 12mo., [xiv], 333 pages. G/G. Sunned black spine with yellow lettering. Dustjacket has moderate creasing to cop and bottom edges, some light plus creasing to the front cover, and moderate plus uneven sunning to dj overall. Black cloth boards show moderate plus wear to top and bottom edges. Textblock has light age-toning and very light staining to edges. Ink inscription to ffep: “Dear Chad / For your example / of AAs way of life, / all my gratitude. / Ever / Bill / Oct/67”.
2. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS [w/ Facsimile Dustjacket]; Alcoholics Anonymous; Works Publishing Company : New York, 1939; First Printing. Octavo, viii, [2], 400 pages, [3 leaves blank]. G/G+. Yellow, black and red abstract pattern to spine, with red lettering. Facsimile dustjacket has light wear to top and bottom edges, light plus creasing/wear to head of spine, light shelfwear to fore-edges, a faint crease along the spine, moderate staining to back cover, a chip to the bottom edge of the back cover, and light sunning to spine. Full red-cloth boards show light wear to top and bottom edges, and light bumping to head of spine. Textblock has light age-toning and one minor instance of staining to edges, light age-toning to pages throughout interiorly, and a tear to the front endpapers running the length of the gutter. BACKGROUND: This is the very first printing of the text Alcoholics Anonymous, “April 1939” stated on the copyright page – commonly referred to as “Big Red” by collectors for its distinctive red cloth binding. Without adequate funds to pay for this printing, the first run was limited to under 5000 and released from Cornwall on a C.O.D. basis. It took two years to sell all of this first run, and only after the publicity from the Jack Alexander article in the Saturday Evening Post of March 1, 1941, did the second printing begin.
3. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Works Publishing Company : New York, 1944; Fifth Printing. Octavo, viii, [2], 400 pages, [3 leaves blank]. G/G+. Yellow, black and red abstract pattern to spine, with red lettering. Dustjacket has light plus chipping to top and bottom edges (specifically corners and head/tail of spine), an instance of chipping and light shelfwear to fore-edges, light foxing to inside flaps, moderate staining to back cover, and light sunning to spine. Full blue-cloth boards show light wear to edges, light plus bumping to head / tail of spine, and some light soiling to joint of front cover. Textblock has light age-toning throughout interiorly.
4. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE [Presentation Copy]; By a Co-Founder; Harper & Brothers : New York, 1957. First Edition. G-/G-. Teal and blue striped spine, with white lettering. Dustjacket has moderate wear and age-toning overall, with light chipping to corners and head/tail of spine; Price unclipped: “$4.00”; Quarter black cloth with teal paper boards show light bumping to head/tail of spine, and light plus wear to top and bottom edges, and moderate wear to corners; Textblock has moderate age-toning and mild shelfwear to deckled edges, and a former owner’s ex libris on the front pastedown; Ink presentation inscription from Bill W. on ffep: “Dear Bill: / This in memory / of the old days and / in everlasting gratitude / to you. / Affectionately / Bill / NY / 10/1/57”. W. M. “Bill” Escavaille was a prominent advocate for A.A. who resided in Washington, D. C. He testified before the US Senate on the treatment of alcoholism in 1947.
5. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Works Publishing Company : New York, 1947; Eleventh Printing. Octavo, viii, [2], 400 pages, [3 leaves blank]. G/VG-. Yellow, black and red abstract pattern to spine, with red lettering. Dustjacket has light wear to the top edge, and light sunning to spine. Full blue-cloth boards show light wear to edges, and moderate bumping and light fraying to head / tail of spine. Textblock has light age-toning to edges, some light soiling to bottom edge, and very light age-toning to page throughout interiorly.
6. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Works Publishing Company : New York, 1947; Eleventh Printing. Octavo, viii, [2], 400 pages, [3 leaves blank]. G/G-. Yellow, black and red abstract pattern to spine, with red lettering. Dustjacket has moderate wear to the top edge with light chipping to head of spine, minor chipping to corners, light plus shelfwear to fore-edges, moderate plus age-toning and shelfwear to front cover and spine, and significant sunning and light soiling to spine. Full blue-cloth boards show light wear to top and bottom edges, and moderate bumping to head / tail of spine. Textblock has light age-toning to pages overall.
7. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. : New York, 1955; Second Edition, First Printing. Octavo, xxx, [2], 575 pages. G/G; Blue spine with age-toned white lettering; Dustjacket has light plus chipping to corners and head/tail of spine, and light wear and age-toning overall; Price unclipped: “$4.50”; Full blue cloth boards show light bumping and wear to head/tail of spine, light wear to top and bottom edges / corners, and light age-toning to cloth along top edges; Textblock has moderate age-toning overall, with a blue pencil emendation to the contents page. Line 6 of p. xx reads “realy” instead of “really”, indicating that this is a first printing of the second edition.
8. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. : New York, 1960; Second Edition, Fourth Printing. Octavo, xxx, [2], 575 pages. G/G-; Blue spine with age-toned white lettering; Dustjacket has light plus chipping to corners, a one-inch square chip to the head of the spine, a 1.5-inch tear to the top edge of the front cover, moderate shelfwear to the fore-edges, and light wear and age-toning overall; Price unclipped: “$4.50”; Full blue cloth boards show light bumping and wear to head/tail of spine, light wear to top and bottom edges / corners, and light age-toning to cloth along top edges; Textblock has moderate age-toning overall. Line 6 of p. xx reads “really”, indicating that this is a later printing of the second edition.
9. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous Publishing, Inc. : [New York], 1953. First Printing. Octavo, 192 pages. G/G-. Age-toned blue and black design with white lettering; Dustjacket has moderate plus chipping to head/tail of spine, light chipping to corners, moderate plus wear to fore-edges, light plus wear to top and bottom edges and significant age-toning overall; Price unclipped: “$2.75”; Quarter black cloth and paper boards show light age-toning and wear to bottom and top edges, light wear to corners, and light plus bumping to head/tail of spine; Textblock has moderate age-toning to deckled edges.
10. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE; By a Co-Founder; Harper & Brothers : New York, 1957. First Edition. G+/G+. Teal and blue striped spine, with white lettering. Dustjacket has light wear and age-toning overall; Price unclipped: “$4.00”; Quarter black cloth with teal paper boards show light bumping to head/tail of spine, and light wear to top and bottom edges; Textblock has light age-toning to deckled edges, and the ex libris of Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church on the ffep.
11. AA TODAY: A SPECIAL PUBLICATION BY THE AA GRAPEVINE COMMEMORATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; The AA Grapevine; AA Grapevine, Inc. : New York, 1960. First Printing. Quarto, 111 pages. Full blue cloth, with black lettering to spine. Boards show moderate plus wear to head/tail of spine, and light plus wear to top and bottom edges; In protective mylar cover; Textblock has moderate age-toning to edges.
12. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1976. Third Edition, First Printing. G/G. Blue spine with lightly age-toned white lettering; Dustjacket has light wear to top and bottom edges/corners, and light age-toning overall; Blue boards show moderate bumping to head/tail of spine, and light wear to corners; Textblock has light age-toning to edges, and very minor shelfwear to bottom edge.
13. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 2001. Fourth Edition, First Printing. VG/VG.
14. BEST CARTOONS FROM THE GRAPEVINE; The Grapevine; A. A. Grapevine, Inc. : New York, 1970. First Edition. Nameplate of W. C. “Chad” Leyshon on the front pastedown.
15. GRATEFUL TO HAVE BEEN THERE: MY 42 YEARS WITH BILL AND LOIS, AND THE EVOLUTION OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS [Presentation Copy]; Wing, Nell; Parkside Publishing Corporation : Park Ridge, 1992. First Edition. G+. Paperback. Ink presentation inscription on the titlepage: “1/15/94 / dear Chad … it’s great / to see you again! And I / wish you all the very / best and with affection. / Nell.”
16. DR. BOB AND THE GOOD OLDTIMERS: A BIOGRAPHY, WITH RECOLLECTIONS OF EARLY A.A. IN THE MIDWEST; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1980. First Printing. VG/G+. With ex libris of Chad Leyshon on front pastedown.
17. CAME TO BELIEVE… THE SPIRITUAL ADVENTURE OF A.A. AS EXPERIENCED BY INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1973. First Edition, First Printing. Paperback.
18. THE SERENITY PRAYER BOOK; Pietsch, William V.; Harper Collins : San Francisco, 1990. First Edition.
19. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 2000. Thirty-second printing.
20. EXPERIENCE, STRENGTH AND HOPE: STORIES FROM THE FIRST THREE EDITIONS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 2003. First Printing. VG/VG.
21. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS COMES OF AGE: A BRIEF HISTORY OF A.A.; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 2004. Thirtieth Printing. VG-/VG-. Hardcover.
22. ‘PASS IT ON’: THE STORY OF BILL WILSON AND HOW THE A.A. MESSAGE REACHED THE WORLD; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1984. First Printing. VG-/VG.
23. Courage to Change, Al-Anon; Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters : New York, 1992. Early Edition. VG-.
Souvenir Albums from International A.A. Conventions
1. 30TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR AND INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION: TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA JULEY 2-4, 1965; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1965. First Edition. Quarto, 47 pages. G+.
2. FIFTY YEARS WITH GRATITUDE: A FAMILY ALBUM AND SOUVENIR OF THE INTERNATIONAL A.A. CONVENTION, MONTREAL QUEBEC, CANADA JULY 4 – 7, 1985; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1985. First Edition. Quarto, 71 pages, [4]. VG-.
3. AA EVERYWHERE – ANYWHERE: A FAMILY ALBUM AND SOUVENIR OF THE INTERNATIONAL AA CONVENTION, SAN DIEGO, CALIF. JUNE 29 – JULY 2, 1995 – 60 YEARS; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 1995. First Edition. Square Octavo, 96 pages. VG-.
4. 70 YEARS OF GROWTH: 2005 A.A. INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA JUNE 30 – JULY 3, 2005; Alcoholics Anonymous; Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. : New York, 2005. First Edition. Oblong Quarto, 96 pages. VG.
Ephemera
1. Thirty+ nametags, badges, and other similar ephemeral material belonging Chad and Marty Leyshon, from various AA conferences (including the 70th Anniversary International Convention in Toronto, 2005), American Public Health Association meetings, etc.
2. Scrapbook
a. Two 4” x 6” color photographs of Webster “Chad” Leyshon receiving different awards or citations, one with former Surgeon General of the United States C. Everett Koop (served 1982 – 1989)
b. Two 8” x 10” color type 1 photographs of Bill and Lois Wilson at an event at Stepping Stones. Dated April [29], 1962. Photos taken by Hugh Byron Chambers.
c. 4” x 6” color photograph of Bill and Lois Wilson, taken by Chad Leyshon at the 1965 International A.A. Convention. A copy of this photo was later gifted to the Wilson’s, who had it framed in their home, Stepping Stones.
d. Washington Post Extract from Jan. 27., 1971 issue, announcing death of Bill Wilson.
e. Program for the Alcoholics Anonymous Memorial Meeting in Tribute to William Griffith Wilson, from February 14, 1971. With type 1 photograph of the tombstone of Bill Wilson (William G. Wilson).
f. Four 3” x 6” color photos of Chad and Marty Leyshon speaking at an AA Breakfast group celebrating 37 year Anniversary at Sunday Morning Breakfast (6/4/2000).
g. Early AA ephemera:
i. Two pieces of early “Serenity Prayer” ephemera (ca. 1960s)
ii. “Old 24th Street Clubhouse” Pamphlet (ca. 1970s-1980s)
iii. First edition of the Vol. III, No. 8. Issue of The A.A. Grapevine (Jan. 1947). Quarto, 12 pages. Saddle-stitched. Good minus condition (missing staples).
h. Photocopies of A.A. Miscellenea
i. All pages of Jack Alexander’s March 1, 1941 Saturday Evening Post on Alcoholics Anonymous
ii. Facsimile of the first issue of the AA Grapevine
iii. Copy of Conference Highlights of the First General Service Conference of A.A. (1951)
iv. Copies of photos (“Local meeting” 1952, Bill W. at Stepping Stones, etc.)
v. Copies of international meeting programs, newspaper articles, online articles (printed).
i. Two 3” x 5” Photos of Chad Leyshon visiting Bill Wilson’s home, Stepping Stones, in 1984.
j. Webster “Chad” Leyshon Ephemera
3. Four VHS Tapes
a. I’m Dancing as Fast as I Can (1982)
b. Akron, Ohio: Birthplace of A.A. Presented by the Akron Intergroup Council of Alcoholics Anonymous
c. My Name is Bill W. (1989)
d. A House Full of Miracles: The True and Amazing Story of the Extraordinary Power that Restored Life to Men and Women the World Had Given Up On! (2000)
4. Awards / Citations Received by Chad and Marty Leyshon
a. Five programs and / or letters related to awards received
b. 17 Awards / citations on paper (in manilla folders / files)
c. One wood plaque. More
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