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A Scarlet Letter
by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Clarence, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Boston: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, 1850. First Edition, First Issue. First edition, first issue with "redupilicate" on page 21 line 20, "characterss" on page 41 line 5, "catechism" page 132 line 29, "known of it" on page 199 line 4. Measuring approximately 7.5" x 5" with 322 numbered pages.
This book is in poor condition. Front board detached from binding. Moderate chipping to both ends of spine. Moderate bumping to all corners of boards. Previous owner's name plate on front pastedown. Interior pages moderately foxed. Rear pastedown and endpaper heavily foxed.
In Puritan Boston, Massachusetts, a crowd gathers to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne, a young woman who has given birth to a baby of unknown paternity.
Please view the many other rare titles available for purchase at our store. We are always interested in purchasing individual or collections of fine books.
Inventory # (L4-5).
This book is in poor condition. Front board detached from binding. Moderate chipping to both ends of spine. Moderate bumping to all corners of boards. Previous owner's name plate on front pastedown. Interior pages moderately foxed. Rear pastedown and endpaper heavily foxed.
In Puritan Boston, Massachusetts, a crowd gathers to witness the punishment of Hester Prynne, a young woman who has given birth to a baby of unknown paternity.
Please view the many other rare titles available for purchase at our store. We are always interested in purchasing individual or collections of fine books.
Inventory # (L4-5).
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.
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Details
- Bookseller
- Ernestoic Books
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 5403
- Title
- A Scarlet Letter
- Author
- Nathaniel Hawthorne
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Edition
- First Edition, First Issue
- Publisher
- Ticknor, Reed, and Fields
- Place of Publication
- Boston
- Date Published
- 1850
Terms of Sale
Ernestoic Books
30 day return guarantee, with full refund including original shipping costs for up to 30 days after delivery if an item arrives misdescribed or damaged.
About the Seller
Ernestoic Books
Biblio member since 2023
Clarence, New York
About Ernestoic Books
Ernestoic Books, where you can find the most sought after Modern First Editions. As our name suggests, Ernest Hemingway is our specialty and our passion. We guarantee the condition of every book we sell. Returns may be made within 14 days of receipt for any reason. We are always interested in purchasing individual or collections of fine books.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- Foxed
- Foxing is the age related browning, or brown-yellowish spots, that can occur to book paper over time. When this aging process...
- First Edition
- In book collecting, the first edition is the earliest published form of a book. A book may have more than one first edition in...
- Poor
- A book with significant wear and faults. A poor condition book is still a reading copy with the full text still readable. Any...
- Chipping
- A defect in which small pieces are missing from the edges; fraying or small pieces of paper missing the edge of a paperback, or...
- Plate
- Full page illustration or photograph. Plates are printed separately from the text of the book, and bound in at production. I.e.,...
- 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....
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