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The scarlet letter A romance
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The scarlet letter A romance Hardcover - 1979

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.

Summary

A stark and allegorical tale of adultery, guilt, and social repression in Puritan New England, The Scarlet Letter is a foundational work of American literature. Nathaniel Hawthorne's exploration of the dichotomy between the public and private self, internal passion and external convention, gives us the unforgettable Hester Prynne, who discovers strength in the face of ostracism and emerges as a heroine ahead of her time.

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 A romance
  • Author Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Edition Reprint Edition
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Abaris Books, New York
  • Date 1979
  • ISBN 9780913870938
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The scarlet letter: A romance
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The scarlet letter: A romance

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
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Abaris Books, 1979. Hardcover. Acceptable. Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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The scarlet letter: A romance

The scarlet letter: A romance

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
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Seattle, Washington, United States
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Abaris Books, 1979. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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FREE shipping to USA
The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

  • Used
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
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Kenner, Louisiana, United States
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Abaris Books, 1979. Hardcover. Novel; History; Massachusetts Puritan days. About a fallen minister and the women who would not betray him. Illustrated in 32 beautiful B/W and Color glossy plates by Hugh Thomson. (296 Pgs.) Red cloth boards with gilt lettering. DJ has a very small tear. DJ VVVG/BOOK NEAR VVG.
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The scarlet letter: A romance
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The scarlet letter: A romance

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
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Abaris Books. Hardcover. 0913870935 Publisher: Abaris BooksDate of Publication: 1979Binding: hard coverEdition: Condition: Fine/Very GoodDescription: 0-913870-93-5 Facsimile edition of the first edition--it includes the advertisements from Ticknor, Reed and Fields not included in the second edition, 296 pages plus lists. Many full-size glossy illustrations by Hugh Thomson throughout. A color frontispiece of young woman with letter A on dress, guarded by Puritan. DJ glossy purple background, a color-illustration on front. DJ has light wear to edges and comes with a Mylar protective cover. Very Good DJ/Very Fine book. Customer service is our #1 priority. We sell great books at great prices with super fast shipping. . Very Good.
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The scarlet letter: A romance
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The scarlet letter: A romance

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardcover
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
Quantity Available
1
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Seattle, Washington, United States
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Franklin Library, 1979. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Shelf and handling wear to cover and binding, with general signs of previous use. Wear commensurate with age and use. Clean unmarked copy. Light scuffing and smudging across boards and spine strip. Secure packaging for safe delivery.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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THE SCARLET LETTER

THE SCARLET LETTER

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel - Illustrated by Chris Duke

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used
Edition
First Edition Thus; Special Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780913870938 / 0913870935
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1
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CROTON-ON-HUDSON, New York, United States
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Franklin Center, PA: Franklin Library, 1979. First Edition Thus; Special Edition. Hardcover. Book condition is Near Fine. A handsome volume with gilt decorations on the covers, gilt page edges, a hubbed spine, and accompanying decorated end papers. Text is clean and unmarked, illustrated. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall.
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A$113.90
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