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Twice-Told Tales
by Hawthorne, Nathaniel
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Near Fine
- Seller
-
New York, New York, United States
Payment Methods Accepted
About This Item
Boston: American Stationers Co., 1837 First edition, first state, with fifth story in collection listed in table of contents as starting on p. 78, though it actually starts on p. 77; 4pp. of ads at front of book and 16pp. of ads at rear. In a red morocco Sangorski & Sutcliffe binding, with boards and spine elaborately decorated and ruled in gilt, five raised bands to spine, top edge gilt, and marbled endpapers. Near fine, with light rubbing and splitting to binding at joints, and a touch of offsetting to endpaper margins. Overall, a gorgeously bound copy, very clean internally. Twice-Told Tales is a collection of eighteen short stories penned by Hawthorne, all of which were previously published in magazines (hence "twice-told"). The collection was Hawthorne's second book, published after his commercially unsuccessful debut, Fanshawe (1828). In 1842, an expanded edition of Twice-Told Tales was published. In his famous review of the work, Edgar Allen Poe wrote, "We look upon [Hawthorne] as one of the few men of indisputable genius to whom our country has as yet given birth." A short story writer for much of his writing career, Hawthorne achieved success as a novelist in the early 1850s, publishing The Scarlet Letter (1850) and The House of the Seven Gables (1851). . First Edition. Hard Cover. Near Fine.
Synopsis
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."
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Details
- Bookseller
- B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA
(US)
- Bookseller's Inventory #
- NH039
- Title
- Twice-Told Tales
- Author
- Hawthorne, Nathaniel
- Format/Binding
- Hardcover
- Book Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Edition
- First Edition
- Publisher
- Boston: American Stationers Co.
- Date Published
- 1837
- Bookseller catalogs
- American Literature; Fiction; Fine Bindings;
Terms of Sale
B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA
~ All items are guaranteed as described. We recommend requesting pictures prior to purchasing. ~ Any items may be returned within seven days of receipt and in the same condition as originally sent. ~ We ship with FedEx, UPS and USPS. Please let us know if you prefer another shipping. ~ New York State are required to add 8.875% sales tax.
About the Seller
B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA
Biblio member since 2006
New York, New York
About B & B Rare Books, Ltd., ABAA
Selling First Editions and Rare Books from all centuries. Specializing in 19th and 20th century literature, modern first editions, signed and inscribed books, early children's literature, and poetry.
Glossary
Some terminology that may be used in this description includes:
- Rubbing
- Abrasion or wear to the surface. Usually used in reference to a book's boards or dust-jacket.
- 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...
- 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...
- Top Edge Gilt
- Top edge gilt refers to the practice of applying gold or a gold-like finish to the top of the text block (the edges the pages...
- Morocco
- Morocco is a style of leather book binding that is usually made with goatskin, as it is durable and easy to dye. (see also...
- First State
- used in book collecting to refer to a book from the earliest run of a first edition, generally distinguished by a change in some...
- Raised Band(s)
- Raised bands refer to the ridges that protrude slightly from the spine on leather bound books. The bands are created in the...
- 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...
Frequently asked questions
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What is a first edition?
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The Importance of Dust Jackets
Is the dust jacket of a book worth holding on to? Consider its form, its function, and its beauty. Learn more about dust jackets and their importance to your collection.
