I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
Titled after a stanza from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poem
“Sympathy,” I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings is the first of a series of seven autobiographical
novels by African-American poet and writer Maya Angelou. Personally deeply
involved and affected by the civil rights movement, the volume explores racism
and identity in her early life.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings was nominated for the National
Book Award in 1970. However, due to its depiction of controversial subjects
such as sexuality, lesbianism and rape, the use of the novel in classrooms has
been frequently challenged.
First edition identification
Random House published the first edition of the novel in
1969. Markings for a first edition are characteristic of the publisher with the
words "First Edition" clearly stated on the copyright page. The first
issue also has a red-stained top edge.
Other Collectible or Notable Editions
In 1999, Easton Press published a special limited edition of
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings in full leather with gold accents, silk end
papers, and a ribbon marker.
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Available Copies
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller
by Angelou, Dr Maya
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 086068511X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
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$1.41
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Paperback. Acceptable. Item Price
$1.41
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Woodstock, Illinois, USA
- Item Price
-
$756.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. First Issue. Near Fine in a Near Fine jacket, a couple small closed tears, faded at the spine. Black cloth with gold and red gilt lettering and rules on the spine and front board. Square and firmly bound with a red top stain, bookplate on the front… Read more about this item Item Price
$756.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used
- Published
- 1969
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Palm Beach, Florida, USA
- Item Price
-
$3,800.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First edition of Angelou's critically acclaimed first book. Octavo, original first issue book, with the top edge stained red. Presentation copy, inscribed by the author on the front free endpaper, "Roger Stephens, Joy! Maya Angelou." Fine in a fine dust jacket. Jacket design by Janet Halverson. An exceptional example. "This testimony from a black… Read more about this item Item Price
$3,800.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Jacket Condition
- Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Portland, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
-
$3,500.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Near Fine/Near Fine. First edition, first printing. First issue with red topstain. Signed by Maya Angelou and inscribed to a former owner on the front free endpaper. Bound in publisher's original black cloth stamped in gilt and metallic red. Near Fine with light foxing to textblock edge, browning to endsheets and… Read more about this item Item Price
$3,500.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou Maya
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Toronto, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
-
$204.75
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. Good/Good. Price Clipped, Clean With No Remainder Mark Or Gift Inscription. The Book Is Good Condition. Price Clipped. Inscription At The 1St End Paper. Random House 1St Printing Stated At The Copy Right Page. Creased- We can ship from Canada and the USA, based on your address. Specializing in academic,… Read more about this item Item Price
$204.75
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - BOOK NEAR FINE
- Jacket Condition
- JACKET VERY GOOD+
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hard Cover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
LEXINGTON, South Carolina, USA
- Item Price
-
$1,195.00
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Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. BOOK NEAR FINE/JACKET VERY GOOD+. 8vo - over 7¾"" - 9¾"" tall. Signed by Author. SIGNED, DATED, INSCRIBED ""JOY"" BY THE AUTHOR on library card attached to the book. AN EXTREMELY CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE COPY WITH A BRIGHT DUSTJACKET IN NEW, GLOSSY BRODART. ANGELOU HAS SIGNED, DATED… Read more about this item Item Price
$1,195.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Published
- 2013
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Beverly Hills, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$900.00
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Description:
Easton Press, 2013. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Fine. Offered here in an exclusive leather-bound, slipcased edition, bearing the signature of the late Presidential Medal of Freedom winning author is Angelou's first and most successful autobiography. Bound in fine genuine leather sealed in publisher's shrink wrap, accented with 22k gold lettering and decorations. Page ends are gilded in 22k gold.… Read more about this item Item Price
$900.00
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Fine in Fine dust jacket
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Olney, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
$500.00
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Description:
New York: Random House. Fine in Fine dust jacket. 1969. First Edition. Hardcover. 1st state, $5.95 on flap; top edge red; tiny edge tear on jacket else fine; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 281 pages . Item Price
$500.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-05-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0553279378
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$66.18
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Description:
Bantam, 1983-05-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$66.18
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller
by Angelou, Dr Maya
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 086068511X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.41
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Good. Item Price
$1.41
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller
by Angelou, Dr Maya
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 086068511X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.41
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
$1.41
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-04-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0553256157
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$68.04
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Description:
Bantam, 1983-04-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$68.04
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 2000
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Shelbyville, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
$75.00
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Description:
London: The Folio Society, 2000. Book. Fine. Decorative Cloth. 4to - over 9¾" - 12" tall. Fourth printing, 2004, so stated. Brown cloth with brown wrap around design with gilt lettering to the spine. 254 pp. This copy is FINE in a FINE dark brown slipcase. No noticeable blemishes. Looks and feels unread. Front cover design by David Sellars.… Read more about this item Item Price
$75.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Maya Angelou
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1984-01-01
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 086068511X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$91.57
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Description:
HACHETTE INDIA, 1984-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$91.57
I Know why the Caged Bird Sings (Signed)
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Fine with No dust jacket as issued
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Published
- 1999
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Lincoln City, Oregon, USA
- Item Price
-
$500.00
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Description:
Norwalk, CT: The Easton Press. Fine with No dust jacket as issued. 1999. Limited Edition. Hardcover. Small 4to 9" - 11" tall; 281 pages . Item Price
$500.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-06-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0553237799
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$68.45
Show Details
Description:
Bantam Books, 1983-06-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$68.45
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Very good
- Edition
- Signed Collector's Edition
- Published
- 2015
- Binding
- Leather bound and boxed
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
- Item Price
-
$975.00
Show Details
Description:
The Easton Press, 2015. Signed Collector's Edition. Leather bound and boxed. Very good. [8], 281, [1] pages. Boxed, With Certificate of Authenticity laid in, signed by Maya Angelou and witnessed by Mildred Garris on 2/16/99. Also signed by Roy S. Pfeil, Publisher. Signed on a special signature page by Maya Angelou with the sentiment Joy!. Maya Angelou (born… Read more about this item Item Price
$975.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1997-05-12
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 055338001X
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$65.68
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Description:
Bantam, 1997-05-12. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$65.68
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Poor
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Anaheim, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$192.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House , 1969. Book. Good. Hardcover. 1st Edition. Numberline (2-9) Copyright 1969 Indicates Random House 2Nd Printing Of First Edition At This Time. (Small Tear At Bottom Of Copyright Page And Tiny Hole Near Numberline) Still Clear And Readable. Hard Cover: Good. Black Cloth Wrapped Boards With Gilt Initials On Front And Title On … Read more about this item Item Price
$192.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by ANGELOU MAYA
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1993-01-01
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN 10
- 0748710760
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$98.75
Show Details
Description:
Bantam, 1993-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$98.75