African American Literature Maya Angelou Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas UK Advance Proof 1985

Maya Angelou African American Literature

Book

Angelou, Maya. Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas, issued in this UK advance proof in 1985, is the third volume of Angelou’s autobiographical series begun with I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Angelou recounts her early adulthood, including marriage, motherhood, her developing career as a singer and dancer, and international travel as a performer through Europe and Africa. Her account records her movement through predominantly white professional and social settings as well as the opportunities and constraints she encountered as a Black American woman working in mid-century entertainment.

Angelou, Maya. Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas. London: Virago Press, 24 October 1985. Advance proof of the UK paperback edition. 269 pages. Original blue printed wrappers. The front wrapper describes the book as “A joyful celebration of music and dance, travel and friendship” and identifies the scheduled publication date. This prepublication copy also preserves a textual distinction between wrapper and preliminary matter: the cover prints the title as Singin’ and Swingin’ and getting merry like Christmas, while the half-title uses Singin’ and Swingin’ and gettin’ merry like Christmas. Produced for circulation in advance of publication, the proof records the book in a pre-release state and retains this variant treatment of its title.

Angelou’s third autobiographical volume follows the author into professional performance and international touring, extending the life narrative beyond the childhood and adolescence treated in her first two volumes. The Virago proof also belongs to the British publication history of Angelou’s autobiographical writing, with its dated cover and title variant providing copy-specific evidence of the book before commercial release. Clean, apparently unread copy, with very light foxing to the half-title and along the top and fore edges and a light crease at the left edge of the front wrapper; overall very good condition.

Item #16418

Price: $275.00