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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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

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
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Woodstock, Illinois, USA
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$705.00

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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
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$705.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller

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
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Acceptable.
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Angelou, Maya

Condition
Used - Very good
Jacket Condition
very good
Edition
First Edition, Third Printing
Published
1969
Binding
Cloth
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1
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Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
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$875.00

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New York: Random House, 1969. First Edition, Third Printing. Cloth. Very good/very good. The first edition, third printing of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, signed by Maya Angelou.. Octavo, 281pp. [1]. Black cloth, title stamped in gilt and red on spine. The third printing, lacking the "first edition" statement and the number line ending at 3… Read more about this item
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$875.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
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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
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Anaheim, California, USA
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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
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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Angelou Maya

Condition
Used - Good
Jacket Condition
Good
Edition
First Edition
Published
1969
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Toronto, Ontario, CAN
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$157.31

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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
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$157.31
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller

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
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1
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GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, GBR
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Paperback. Very Good.
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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
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1
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LEXINGTON, South Carolina, USA
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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
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$1,195.00
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings
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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Angelou, Maya

Condition
Used - Fine
Edition
Limited Edition
Published
2013
Binding
Hardcover
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1
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Beverly Hills, California, USA
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$900.00

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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
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$900.00
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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
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$500.00

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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
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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
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$59.30

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Description:
Bantam, 1983-05-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$59.30
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings: The international Classic and Sunday Times Top Ten Bestseller

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
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Paperback. Good.
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$2.53
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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
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$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
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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
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$100.78

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Bantam Books, 1983-06-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$100.78
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Angelou, Maya

Condition
New
Published
1997-05-12
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
055338001X
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1
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San Diego, California, USA
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$59.99

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Bantam, 1997-05-12. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$59.99
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Angelou, Maya

Condition
Used - Fine
Jacket Condition
No Jacket
Published
2000
Binding
Hardcover
Quantity Available
1
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Shelbyville, Indiana, USA
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$75.00

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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
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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
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$101.30

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Bantam, 1983-04-01. Mass Market Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$101.30
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I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

Condition
New
Published
1984-01-01
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10
086068511X
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1
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San Diego, California, USA
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$60.83

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HACHETTE INDIA, 1984-01-01. Paperback. New. New. In shrink wrap. Looks like an interesting title!
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$60.83
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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
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$975.00

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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
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$975.00
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I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

by Maya Angelou

Condition
Used - Good
Published
1983-04
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10
0812417372
Quantity Available
1
Seller
HOUSTON, Texas, USA
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$15.85

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Perfection Learning, 1983-04. Hardcover. Good.
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$15.85
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings SIGNED
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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
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Item Price
$2,000.00

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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