Twice-Told Tales

Twice-Told Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a collection of short stories, most of which are infused with a very New England gothic tone. The first was published in the spring of 1837, and the second in 1842. The stories had all been previously published in magazines and annuals. The title, Twice-Told Tales, was drawn from William Shakespeare's The Life and Death of King John (Act 3, scene 4): "Life is as tedious as a twice-told tale, / Vexing the dull ear of a drowsy man."

The piece is composed of sketches and tales, mostly allegories and moralistic fantasies including "The Gray Champion," "The Wedding Knell," "The Minister's Black Veil," "Mr. Higginbotham's Catastrophe," "Wakefield," "The Great Carbuncle," "The Prophetic Pictures," "The Hollow of the Three Hills," "Fancy's Show Box," and "Dr. Heidegger's Experiment."

 

This book was first published in 1837 by American Stationers Co, Boston. This edition has the publisher’s circular device on the title page as well as the publisher’s rose cloth. The title is stamped in gilt to the spine, embossed with foil ornaments, and has 4 pages of ads at the front and 12-16 of ads pages at the rear. 

Published in New York by The Limited Editions Club in 1966, this edition is hardcover, 432 pages, with only 1500 copied printed for the members of the club. Grey/blue cloth over boards, with gold lettering and design on a red label to the spine, including illustrations by Valenti Angelo. Published in 1891 by David McKay in Philadelphia, this edition features brown cloth over the boards, gold gilt, and gold lettering.