Robert Holbrook Smith ("Dr. Bob") collection (Ms.2005.66)

The Robert Holbrook Smith (Dr. Bob")collection includes a variety of books, periodicals, booklets and pamphlets, some of which belonged to Robert Holbrook Smith's own library. It includes The Grapevine, an international AA journal written, edited and illustrated by AA members; miscellaneous booklets published by AA; and a first edition copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, (known to members as The Big Book published in 1939. Other noteworthy publications in the collection include an assortment of booklet materials published by The Oxford Group; The Theosophical Society of America; The Mission Press, Haldemann-Julius (Little Blue Book series), and the United Church of Christianity.

The collection also includes a small selection of correspondence (hand-written, type-written, and photocopied) originating from or sent to Robert Holbrook Smith, William G. Wilson, Anne R. Smith, Lois B. Wilson, and Smith's daughter, Sue Smith Windows. Business correspondence and papers associated with AA, including materials from the General Service Board and its predecessor, the Alcoholic Foundation, provide a glimpse into the development of AA's operational structure.

The manuscripts portion of this collection includes a type-written essay by Robert Holbrook Smith and William G. Wilson, entitled "Your Third Legacy;" an essay by William G. Wilson, entitled "The Alcoholics Foundation of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow;" and some hand-written notes on Christian spirituality from Anne R. Smith's journals - notes which were influenced by her involvement in The Oxford Group and influential in the development of the spiritual principles behind AA's twelve step program. It also includes a type-written manuscript of the book, The Courage to Change‚ by the Rev. Sam Shoemaker, whose writings influenced both Smith and Wilson and their development of AA principles. Other noteworthy manuscript items include a significant number of documents (hand-written, type-written, and photocopied) from a variety of authors, many of which are brief personal testimonials of recovery from alcoholism, most likely collected for AA publications. There are numerous hand-written and type-written tributes to Anne R. Smith, by a variety of authors, which were collected by William G.Wilson and provide a detailed portrait of her character and her various contributions to the AA movement.

An interesting variety of personal items belonging to the Smith family are an important part of this collection. They include large studio photographs of Robert Holbrook Smith, William G. Wilson and Anne R. Smith; miscellaneous awards commemorating Robert Holbrook Smith's various professional achievements; the guest books from the funerals of both Robert Holbrook Smith and Anne R. Smith; Christmas cards (some handmade); and invitations to miscellaneous AA functions. Of note are a number of Robert Holbrook Smith's personal possessions including his wallet and social security card; his medical instruments and prescription pad; desk accessories engraved with his initials; his golf clubs and trophy; and his World Series baseball, from 1948 (signed by the Cleveland Indians team and their manager Lou Boudreau.)

The most striking artifact in the collection is an aluminum coffee pot from the Smith family's kitchen - the original coffee pot that Smith used to sober up with when he and William G.Wilson first began meeting together in Smith's home in May of 1935.