Charles Bishop, Jr.
46 Eureka Ave., Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 242-2937 bishopbk@comcast.net
The Bishop of Books is celebrating 34 years as a full-time
Antiquarian Bookseller-Appraiser specializing in the Literature
of Alcoholics Anonymous and Alcoholism.
He has published 11 books on A.A. and The History of Alcoholism as well
as 13 annual AA History-Sobriety Calendars. He is co-author with Bill Pittman
of To Be Continued…The Alcoholics Anonymous World Bibliography 1935-1994.
Bishop has appraised the libraries of Dr. Robert H. Smith, Co-Founder of A.A.;
Ernest Kurtz, author of NOT-GOD: A History of Alcoholics Anonymous;
Clarence Snyder, Cleveland A.A. founder; Dr. Wm. Silkworth, who wrote
"The Doctor's Opinion" in the AA Big Book; The Hazelden Archives; as well as
numerous private collections. His appraisals have never been questioned or
challenged by the IRS, insurance companies, etc.
Bishop sold his private alcoholism library of 15,000 items to Brown University
where it resides as The Chester Kirk Collection of Alcoholics Anonymous and Alcoholism.
He is a consultant for Brown University.
Bishop published the national annual Sobriety Calendar 1990-2000,2002 and 2009-2011.
Over the years Bishop has issued 50+ sale catalogs of Literature about Alcoholism
and A.A. to his many Fellowship customers.
Bishop served as Area 73 Archivist for West Virgina A.A. for six years. His thousands
of contacts with AA authors, historians, collectors, addiction treatment professionals,
scholars, antiquarian booksellers and Fellowship members have aided his services.
Bishop serves on the Board of Directors of the Institute for Research, Education and
Training on Addictions (IRETA) in Pittsburgh, Pa. He has presented the history of alcoholism
and A.A. programs at Bethany College and West Va. Univ. Mining School, Gateway Center, Pa.,
and the Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio; as well as numerous AA events.
Charlie Bishop, Jr. is a 1960 B.A. Wheeling Jesuit University grad.
A native of Ohio, Bob has no
degrees other than those on his
thermometer, although he assures
you he is educated beyond his
intelligence.
However, he has done an outstanding
job as Graphics Designer for the
2011 A.A. History Calendar and this
website.
His favorite saying is “good riddance
of bad rubbish.” in Hungarian !
Bob Ball
bbobball@live.com
