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My Life by Bill Clinton (Signed, First Edition), 2004 🇺🇸🏛️ 📜

My Life by Bill Clinton (Signed, First Edition), 2004 🇺🇸🏛️ 📜

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1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a rare signed First Edition of My Life, the autobiography by the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton.

Published in 2004, this volume is a cornerstone of American political history and a highly sought-after artifact for collectors of presidential memorabilia. Its status as a signed first edition provides a unique window into the life and career of a man who served two terms during a pivotal period of immense change.


2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

My Life is a detailed and intimate autobiography that chronicles Bill Clinton's life chronologically, from his childhood in Hope, Arkansas, to his two terms in the White House. The book provides a firsthand account of his political career, including major policy achievements, foreign policy decisions, and the personal and political controversies that defined his presidency.

The narrative is a clear and engaging voice, filled with personal reflections and insights. It includes a dedication that offers a personal glimpse into his values:

"To my mother, who gave me a love of life; To Hillary, who gave me a life of love; To Chelsea, who gave joy and meaning to it all; And to the memory of my grandfather, who taught me to look up to people others looked down on, because we’re not so different after all".

The volume is richly illustrated with 32 pages of photographs that complement the text.


3. About the Artist/Author/Maker ✍️🏛️✨

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton (b. 1946) was the 42nd President of the United States, serving from 1993 to 2001. Born in Hope, Arkansas, he rose through the ranks of state politics before becoming one of the most influential figures of his generation. Clinton's work as an author is a serious examination of his life and political career.

The book also showcases his dedication to his craft; he spent two and a half years writing the book, composing the original draft completely in long-hand in 22 large, thick notebooks.


4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

Published in 2004, this book is an artifact of the post-9/11 era in the United States, a period that saw a renewed interest in political narratives and personal stories. The book's release three years after Clinton left office placed it at a unique historical juncture, providing an early record of his presidency.

The book serves as a "time capsule" of late 20th and early 21st-century American political and social thought. It reflects the values of its time and provides an honest look at the life of a former president and the challenges he faced. The volume is an important record of the transitional period between Clinton's administration and the political climate that followed.


5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

This book is intended for a curator of American history, a scholar of modern politics, or a private collector of presidential memorabilia. It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book’s dual significance as a foundational historical document and a personal artifact of its time. This is a perfect fit for a collection that cherishes the intimate story behind a pivotal political career.

The volume appeals to a collector interested in:

  • The intersection of culture, politics, and power.

  • A direct link to a significant figure in modern American history.

  • A tangible document that tells the story of an era and the person who shaped it.

A true bibliophile would appreciate the high-quality binding and the rich intellectual history contained within its pages.


6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

As a rare signed First Edition from 2004, this book represents a genuinely scarce non-replicable asset class. While the book sold in excess of 2.3 million copies, the scarcity of a signed first edition is a key factor in its value. The book’s position as an official account from a former president makes it a premium and highly desirable item.

The book’s value is enhanced by its place in publishing history:

  • Clinton received a $15 million advance, which was the highest ever paid to an author at the time of publication.

  • The audiobook edition, read by Clinton, won the 2005 Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album.

Its true worth lies in its historical context and its scarcity within the specialized field of antiquarian books.


7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This volume is a well-preserved piece showing wear consistent with a book from the early 21st century. The hardcover is in a solid state, with a tight and sound binding. The covers, visible on the cloth-bound edition without the dust jacket, show light wear. The dust jacket has some rubbing and minor scuffing, particularly along the edges and spine. The pages have some light toning, a natural process for paper, which gives it authenticity.

  • Dust Jacket: Factual wear with rubbing and minor scuffing.

  • Binding: The hardcover, cloth binding is in solid shape, with the author’s name embossed on the front cover.

  • Interior: The text block is sound, with pages free of any major tears or stains.

  • Signature: The signature is in blue ink on the title page and is clear and well-preserved.


8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

  • The book was a massive bestseller, selling over 2.3 million copies.

  • The original draft for the book was written completely in long-hand across 22 big, thick notebooks.

  • Both former President George W. Bush and comedian Jon Stewart joked about the book’s length, which was 1,008 pages.

  • The book's editor was Robert Gottlieb, who also edited Katharine Graham's autobiography, Personal History.


9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

  • Title: My Life

  • Author/Maker: Bill Clinton

  • Year: 2004

  • Publisher/Foundry: Alfred A. Knopf

  • Place of Origin: New York, NY, USA

  • Format/Binding: Hardcover with dust jacket

  • Edition: First Edition

  • Rarity: Signed First Edition

  • Transcription:

    "Bill Clinton" [Signature]

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