Click for full-size.
The Scarlet Letter
by HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Near Fine with no dust jacket
- Seller
-
Littleton, Colorado, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: The Heritage Press. Near Fine with no dust jacket. 1946. Hardcover. A handsome Heritage Press reprint edition in slipcase of Nathaniel Hawthorne's classic historical novel, set in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the 17th century. Book designed and with color illustrations by W. A. Dwiggins. Sandglass leaflet laid in (New York, #VIII:27). --- A variant design in pink & grey floral-patterned paper-covered boards, backed in dark red cloth with gilt spine titling on grey block, red topstain. In maroon paper-covered slipcase. --- An excellent copy: tightly-bound, bright and sound. Slipcase also in great shape, though with a few tiny tears to paper covering.; Tall Octavo (9 to 10 in. tall); [8], 280 pages .
Synopsis
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.
Reviews
On Oct 4 2010, Erhanilhan said:
An absolute criticism of Puritan society. Hawthorne portrays the hypocritic sides of the society by pointing its discrepancies and ill-interpreted biblical sides deeds. He also shows that the society was not working in the name of god as stated; instead worked for a group of people (especially powerful) that keep the lines in hand.
(Log in or Create an Account first!)
Details
- Bookseller
- Bluebird Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 88307
- Title
- The Scarlet Letter
- Author
- HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine with no dust jacket
- Publisher
- The Heritage Press
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1946
Terms of Sale
Bluebird Books
All sales sold on a satisfaction guaranteed basis--all we ask is that you notify us within 30 days of purchase that you would like to return an item.
About the Seller
Bluebird Books
Biblio member since 2005
Littleton, Colorado
About Bluebird Books
Bluebird Books is the bookselling business of Eric Mayer, operating from my base in Littleton, Colorado. I specialize in classic fiction and literature, books on birds and natural history, railroadiana, biography, history and many other genres. Bluebird Books features publications by the Modern Library and Everyman's Library. I offer free shipping on books shipped within the US via USPS Media Mail. INTERNATIONAL ORDERS: I recommend that you use Biblio.com for your international orders because they have formed a partnership with Asendia to allow for much more affordable shipping on parcels weighing under 5 lb. (about 2.26 kg).
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Jacket
- Sometimes used as another term for dust jacket, a protective and often decorative wrapper, usually made of paper which wraps...
- Spine
- The outer portion of a book which covers the actual binding. The spine usually faces outward when a book is placed on a shelf....
- Gilt
- The decorative application of gold or gold coloring to a portion of a book on the spine, edges of the text block, or an inlay in...
- Cloth
- "Cloth-bound" generally refers to a hardcover book with cloth covering the outside of the book covers. The cloth is stretched...
- Reprint
- Any printing of a book which follows the original edition. By definition, a reprint is not a first edition.
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Octavo
- Another of the terms referring to page or book size, octavo refers to a standard printer's sheet folded four times, producing...
This Book’s Categories
- Fiction & Literature Fiction by Region American Fiction
- Fiction & Literature Classic Literature
- Fiction & Literature Historical Fiction
- Fiction & Literature Literary Studies Literary Criticism
- Fiction & Literature Modern Fiction
- Fiction & Literature Mystery & Thrillers Mystery
- Children & Juvenile Juvenile & Young Adult Juvenile Fiction & Literature
Collecting Children’s Literature
Children’s books are among some of the most popular themes to build a book collection on. Learn a bit more in our Brief History of Children’s Literature.
Collecting Books on NYC
This gallery is dedicated to some of the best fiction and nonfiction portraying one of the greatest cities in the world. We Heart NYC! Enjoy browsing these books on New York City.
