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The Scarlet Letter Unknown - 1984

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.

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
  • Author Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Binding unknown
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Buccaneer Books
  • Date 1984-12
  • ISBN 9780899664941
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The Scarlet Letter

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

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  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9780899664941
ISBN 10
0899664946
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Aerie Books 1987 Paperback ISBN: 1559029838, 1987 Near Fine
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The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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  • Hardcover
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Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780899664941
ISBN 10
0899664946
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Hardcover. Very Good. No dust jacket. Red cloth boards. Light corner bump, otherwise, minimal wear. No name or markings noted. Interior practically pristine. Nice copy.
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Scarlet Letter

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ISBN 13
9780899664941
ISBN 10
0899664946
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acceptable. hardcover. cover and corner wear. no dust jacket. ex-library book. spine is cracked. binding is loose. bent and tattered cover corners. tears on spine.
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The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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ISBN 13
9780899664941
ISBN 10
0899664946
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The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used:Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 13
9780899664941
ISBN 10
0899664946
Quantity Available
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HOUSTON, Texas, United States
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This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
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Description:
Buccaneer Books, 1984-12-01. Hardcover. Used:Good.
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