Christie's to Sell Original 'Big Book' Manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous from Jim Irsay Collection
On June 17, 2026, Christie's announced that the original working manuscript of Alcoholics Anonymous, known as "The Big Book," will be the final lot of The Jim Irsay Collection: Icons of History sale, taking place live July 1, 2026 at Christie's Rockefeller Center in New York. The 167-page typescript, with extensive handwritten annotations and edits by co-founder Bill Wilson and Hank Parkhurst, carries an estimate of $1,000,000–2,000,000. All proceeds from the sale will be donated to philanthropic causes close to the heart of the late Jim Irsay, philanthropist and owner of the Indianapolis Colts. The sale marks Christie's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The Signal
The manuscript's estimate places it among the most valuable literary working documents ever offered at auction, reflecting both its rarity and its cultural weight as the foundational text of the 12-step movement, which the Library of Congress has named one of the 88 "Books That Shaped America." For collectors of historical manuscripts and Americana, the lot represents a convergence of social impact and provenance: Irsay, who died a philanthropist, acquired the book as a steward, and his daughters have directed all proceeds to charity. The sale signals that the market for objects with transformative social narratives — not just aesthetic or monetary value — can command seven-figure estimates, particularly when tied to a major private collection and a landmark anniversary.
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- People: William Griffith Wilson, Hank Parkhurst, Jim Irsay, Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt, Kalen Jackson
- Auction Houses: Christie's
- Locations: New York
- Prices: $1,000,000-2,000,000
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