Skip to content

The Scarlet Letter (Amazonclassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (Amazonclassics Edition) Paperback - 2017

by Nathaniel Hawthorne


About this book

The Scarlet Letter: A Romance (1850) is considered the American author Nathaniel Hawthorne's 'masterwork.' A work of historical fiction set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during the Puritan settlement of 1642-1949 itells the story of Hester Prynne, who after having a child as a result of an extra-marital affair attempts to live a life of repentance and dignity although she is marked by having to wear a Scarlett A on her person. Throughout the novel, Hawthorne explores themes of legalism, sin, and guilt.

The Scarlett Letter was one of the first mass-produced novels in the United States, prior printing of books generally done by hand. The 2,500 copies first printed sold out in days, and the mass-production of books opened up conversation about books and authors to a wider-audience on a national level. The first edition of The Scarlet Letter sold out in ten days and “made Hawthorne’s fame, changed his fortune and gave to our literature its first symbolic novel a year before the appearance of Melville’s Moby-Dick” (Bradley). Although an instant best-seller, the books sales over fourteen years only brought the author $1500.

From the publisher

The red letter A on her dress marks young mother Hester Prynne among her Puritan neighbors, who demand to know who fathered her child. Rumors swirl, but the shunned and shamed Hester keeps her secret--and his--for years, until a guilt-ridden confession reveals the truth, with unexpected consequences.

Set in seventeenth-century Massachusetts, Hawthorne's masterwork was originally subtitled "a romance," though its themes include the limits of law, the power of religion, and the nature of sin. Equal parts tragic love story and social commentary, The Scarlet Letter brings to life the undying human need to keep secrets.

Revised edition: Previously published as The Scarlet Letter, this edition of The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition) includes editorial revisions.

First Edition Identification

First edition published by Ticknor, Reeds and Fields, in Boston 1850. Main first edition marker is "reduplicate" instead of "repudiate" on page 21 Four page publisher's adverts at front dated March 1, 1850 and preceding the free end paper. The brown T-cloth favored by Ticknor & Fields is famous for becoming brittle with age, and cracking or fraying at the spine tips. First editions can run upwards of $20,000.

The second edition adds a preface and has a Metcalf imprint on verso of title-page. The third printing has the same preface but has a Hobart & Robbins imprint on verso of title-page.

Details

  • Title The Scarlet Letter (Amazonclassics Edition)
  • Author Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 268
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Amazonclassics
  • Date 2017-05
  • ISBN 9781542046169 / 1542046165
  • Weight 0.6 lbs (0.27 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.25 x 5.38 x 0.63 in (20.96 x 13.67 x 1.60 cm)
  • Reading level 1420
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£2.12
£8.57 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Very Good.
Item Price
£2.12
£8.57 shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
GORING BY SEA, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 2 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£2.12
£8.57 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback. Good.
Item Price
£2.12
£8.57 shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Frederick, Maryland, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£3.78
£3.23 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
AmazonClassics. Used - Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain a few markings such as an owner’s name, short gifter’s inscription or light stamp.
Item Price
£3.78
£3.23 shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
AmazonClassics, 2017-05-02. Paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
£4.14
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Houston, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
AmazonClassics, 2017-05-02. Paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Kingwood, Texas, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
AmazonClassics, 2017-05-02. paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x8.
Item Price
£4.17
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

  • Used
  • good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£4.86
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Amazon Publishing, 2017. Paperback. Good. Disclaimer:A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include previous owner inscriptions. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
£4.86
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Amazon Publishing. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Amazon Publishing. Used - Very Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter (AmazonClassics Edition)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781542046169 / 1542046165
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Amazon Publishing. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
£6.14
FREE shipping to USA