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.
Reviews
Review this book!
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
- 9780860685111
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.30
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Acceptable. Item Price
$1.30
More Photos
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
More Photos
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings SIGNED
by Maya Angelou
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- First Edition, First Printing
- Published
- 1969
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Clarence, New York, USA
- Item Price
-
$2,000.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition, First Printing. First edition, first printing - as stated on the copyright page. With number line going down to 2 as called for with the publisher Random House. Signed by Maya Angelou on a professionally tipped in page from a signed limited edition, therefore the authenticity is guaranteed. Measures approximately 8.5" x… Read more about this item Item Price
$2,000.00
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
Show Details
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
- Used - Good
- Jacket Condition
- Good
- Edition
- First Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Toronto, Ontario, CAN
- Item Price
-
$59.42
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 ship from Canada and the USA, based on your address. Specializing in academic, collectible… Read more about this item Item Price
$59.42
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
- 9780860685111
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.30
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Very Good. Item Price
$1.30
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-05-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780553279375
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$76.60
Show Details
Description:
Bantam, 1983-05-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$76.60
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-06-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780553237795
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$102.76
Show Details
Description:
Bantam Books, 1983-06-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$102.76
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1997-05-12
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780553380019
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$78.75
Show Details
Description:
Bantam, 1997-05-12. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$78.75
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
Show Details
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 Maya Angelou
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1984-01-01
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780860685111
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$81.27
Show Details
Description:
HACHETTE INDIA, 1984-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$81.27
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
- 9780860685111
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
- Item Price
-
$1.30
Show Details
Description:
Paperback. Good. Item Price
$1.30
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- New
- Published
- 1983-04-01
- Binding
- Mass Market Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780553256154
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
San Diego, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$102.54
Show Details
Description:
Bantam, 1983-04-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title! Item Price
$102.54
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
- Used - Fine
- Jacket Condition
- No Jacket
- Published
- 2000
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Shelbyville, Indiana, USA
- Item Price
-
$74.99
Show Details
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
$74.99
More Photos
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
Show Details
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 - BOOK VERY GOOD+
- Jacket Condition
- JACKET NEAR FINE
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Published
- 1969
- Binding
- Hard Cover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
LEXINGTON, South Carolina, USA
- Item Price
-
$1,395.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. 1st Edition. Hard Cover. BOOK VERY GOOD+/JACKET NEAR FINE. 8vo - over 7¾"" - 9¾"" tall. Signed by Author. SIGNED, DATED, INSCRIBED ""JOY"" BY THE AUTHOR on the library card for this book. The card is attached to the book. AN EXTREMELY CLEAN, ATTRACTIVE COPY WITH A BRIGHT DUSTJACKET IN… Read more about this item Item Price
$1,395.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Jacket Condition
- No DJ as Issued
- Edition
- Limited Edition
- Published
- 1999
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
La Mesa, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$550.00
Show Details
Description:
The Easton Press. A beautiful crisp clean leather bound hardcover copy in near fine condition, Easton press bookplate without name on front endpaper and faintly bumped upper corners. Signed by author. . Very Good. Hardcover. Limited Edition. 1999. Item Price
$550.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Published
- 1997-05-12
- Binding
- Paperback
- ISBN
- 9780553380019
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
- Item Price
-
$3.00
Show Details
Description:
Bantam, 1997-05-12. Paperback. Good. 8x5x0. Item Price
$3.00
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings [first edition]
by Angelou, Maya
- Condition
- Used
- Edition
- First edition
- Published
- 1969
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Los Angeles, California, USA
- Item Price
-
$350.00
Show Details
Description:
New York: Random House, 1969. First edition. 281 pp. Black cloth, lettered in gilt on the front board and spine with red gilt publisher's device on the spine, with the dust jacket. Slight rubbing to head and tail of spine, previous owner name to front free endpaper, jacket shows a bit of rubbing to the corners, spine folds, and… Read more about this item Item Price
$350.00