I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Published by Random House, New York, 1969

  • First Edition
  • Hardcover
  • Used
See all details
Heritage seller

Seller: Brainerd Phillipson Rare Books, Holliston, MA, U.S.A.Brainerd Phillipson Rare Books

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 10, 1998

Association member: SNEAB

Hardcover

Condition: Used

£ 385.12

£ 11.22 shipping 
Ships within U.S.A.

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket
Free 30-day returns

Item description from seller

Splendidly bound in finely woven black cloth stamped brightly in gold on the front boards and on the spine. With the Random House design and name in iridescent red. With bright red top-staining. Clean and tight throughout; virtually unread. In an attractive dust jacket that has the original price of $5.95 at the top of the inside front flap and the "2/70" code at the bottom of the rear inside flap. The rear panel features a photo of a reflective Maya Angelou. With a binder's defect of a small snag at the bottom of the read paste-down and a small piece torn out at the adjacent edge as well. However, rather a lovely copy in a glorious jacket, despite the binder's defect. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the 1969 autobiography about the early years of African-American writer and poet Maya Angelou. The first in a seven-volume series, it is a coming-of-age story that illustrates how strength of character and a love of literature can help overcome racism and trauma. The book begins when three-year-old Maya and her older brother are sent to Stamps, Arkansas, to live with their grandmother and ends when Maya becomes a mother at the age of 16. In the course of Caged Bird, Maya transforms from a victim of racism with an inferiority complex into a self-possessed, dignified young woman capable of responding to prejudice. Angelou was challenged by her friend, author James Baldwin, and her editor, Robert Loomis, to write an autobiography that was also a piece of literature. Reviewers often categorize Caged Bird as autobiographical fiction because Angelou uses thematic development and other techniques common to fiction, but the prevailing critical view characterizes it as an autobiography, a genre she attempts to critique, change, and expand. The book covers topics common to autobiographies written by Black American women in the years following the civil rights movement: a celebration of Black motherhood; a critique of racism; the importance of family; and the quest for independence, personal dignity, and self-definition. Angelou uses her autobiography to explore subjects such as identity, rape, racism, and literacy. She also writes in new ways about women's lives in a male-dominated society. (Wikipedia) First Edition with "First Printing" and the correct number line beginning with "2".…

Seller Inventory # 1480

Bibliographic details

Title
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Author
Angelou, Maya
Publisher
Random House, New York
Publication year
1969
Dust jacket
Dust Jacket Included
Binding
Hardcover
Edition
1st Edition.
Seller catalogs
African-American Literature

Brainerd Phillipson Rare Books

Holliston, MA, U.S.A.

5-star seller

AbeBooks seller since June 10, 1998

Association member:

Shipping rates within U.S.A.

Item3 to 5 business days3 to 5 business days
First item£ 11.22£ 14.96
Delivery times are set by sellers and vary by carrier and location. Orders passing through Customs may face delays and buyers are responsible for any associated duties or fees. Sellers may contact you regarding additional charges to cover any increased costs to ship your items.

Payment methods

  • Visa
  • Mastercard
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay
  • Bank Draft
  • Cash
  • Check
  • Money Order
  • Paypal

Store description

We maintain a stock of 10,000 modern first editions ranging from Melville to Updike. We specialize in first editions by Mark Twain, Jack London, Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, P.G. Wodehouse, and John Updike as well as important works of modern detective fiction by Robert B. Parker and Sue Grafton. We are open by appointment only and do most of our business via the internet and by mail.

Specialty

Modern & Contemporary First Editions:, Mark Twain, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jack London, Ernest Hemingway, null, John Steinbeck, John Updike, D.H. Lawrence, Stephen King, Clive Barker, P.G. Wodehouse, Robert B. Parker, Sue Grafton, null, Detective Fiction, proofs, and ARCs., Children's literature & illustrators: Parish & Rackham, etc., African-American Literature, American

Association member

  • Southern New England Antiquarian Booksellers
Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

Brainerd Phillipson Rare Books

MA, U.S.A.