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THE SCARLET LETTER: A Romance Literally Reprinted from the First Edition, with Fifteen Original Colored Illustrations by A. Robaudi and C. Graham
by Hawthorne, Nathaniel
- Used
- first
- Condition
- See description
- Seller
-
Middletown, Maryland, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
New York: Privately Printed, 1904. First edition thus. In the original French-style parchment paperwraps. One of only 125 copies printed on Japanese imperial paper (one additional copy was printed on vellum). Illustrated with 30 plates, including frontispiece, being 15 illustrations each presented in a colored and uncolored version. One section starting resulting in a near split at spine which is slightly toned otherwise would be fine. Impressively well preserved in elaborate red silk moire chemise and marbled paper-covered slipcase. The original backing of the gilt-stamped spine portion of chemise detached (though not pictured, it is partially present) and the silk moire at spine has nearly perished (now backed with clear mylar insert). Worn but original glassine included. "UNIQUE EDITION," ONE OF ONLY 125 PRIVATELY PRINTED COPIES
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
- Quill & Brush
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- 56171
- Title
- THE SCARLET LETTER: A Romance Literally Reprinted from the First Edition, with Fifteen Original Colored Illustrations by A. Robaudi and C. Graham
- Author
- Hawthorne, Nathaniel
- Book Condition
- Used
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Publisher
- Privately Printed
- Place of Publication
- New York
- Date Published
- 1904
Terms of Sale
Quill & Brush
We accept checks in U.S. dollars, PayPal, and all major credit cards.
About the Seller
Quill & Brush
Biblio member since 2007
Middletown, Maryland
About Quill & Brush
Quill & Brush was established in 1976 by Allen & Patricia Ahearn, the authors of the well-respected reference for booksellers and collectors, Collected Books: The Guide to Identification and Values.At present the Quill & Brush is run by the Ahearns' eldest daughter, Beth Fisher. Allen is semi-retired but continues to buy, sell, and perform professional appraisals.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Parchment
- Pages or book covering made from a prepared animal skin. Parchment describes any animal skin used for books, while vellum is a...
- 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....
- Fine
- A book in fine condition exhibits no flaws. A fine condition book closely approaches As New condition, but may lack the...
- 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...
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- Fiction & Literature Fiction by Region American Fiction
- Fiction & Literature Classic Literature
- Fiction & Literature Historical Fiction
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