Makeba: My Story by Miriam Makeba with James Hall (Signed First Edition)

Published by NAL Books / New American Library (Stated First Printing, January 1988)

Summary:

An extraordinary, deeply moving autobiography by global music icon and civil rights champion Miriam Makeba ("Mama Africa"). Exiled from her native South Africa for over three decades after testifying against the brutality of apartheid at the United Nations, Makeba rose to worldwide acclaim with her mesmerizing voice, winning a Grammy Award and introducing African music to international audiences. In "Makeba: My Story," she chronicles her journey from Sophiatown to world concert halls, recounting her marriages to Hugh Masekela and Stokely Carmichael, her friendships with Harry Belafonte and Sekou Toure, her exile across Guinea and the world, and her triumphant 1987 appearance on Paul Simon's "Graceland" tour.

Signature & Provenance:

Flat-signed and dated in ink by Miriam Makeba on the front blank flyleaf:

"For George + Madame / May I wish you a happy anniversary / all is love / Sincerely / Miriam Makeba / 2/14/88"

Product Details:

- Title: Makeba: My Story

- Author: Miriam Makeba with James Hall

- Publisher: NAL Books (New American Library, New York)

- Publication Date: January 1988 (Stated First Edition, First Printing / Complete 1-9 number line)

- Binding: Hardcover with original pictorial dust jacket ($18.95 retail price unclipped)

- Boards: Tan paper boards with turquoise-blue cloth spine and gold gilt stamping

- Photo Inset: Includes 16 pages of black-and-white archival photographs

- ISBN: 0-453-00561-6 | LOC: 87-18496

- Page Count: 315 pages

Condition Details:

Very Good+ to Near Fine collectible condition. Stated First Edition, First Printing.

- Inscription: Features an authentic ink inscription and signature by Miriam Makeba on the front flyleaf, dated February 14, 1988.

- Hardcover Boards & Binding: The two-tone boards are clean, firm, and square with sharp unbumped corners. The teal cloth spine is tight with brilliant gold lettering. The sewn binding is solid and square.

- Pages & Text Block: Interior pages are clean, bright white, flat, and securely bound—completely free of marginalia, highlighting, dog-ears, remainder marks, or library stamps.

- Dust Jacket: Complete, unclipped ($18.95 retail price intact), and bright with rich turquoise/terracotta graphic borders. Shows only faint handling shelf contact along the edges with zero tears or chips. Stored in a clean, smoke-free environment.