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The Scarlet Letter Mass market paperbound - 1959

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
  • Author Nathaniel Hawthorne
  • Binding Mass Market Paperbound
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 1
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Signet Classics, New York
  • Date August 1, 1959
  • ISBN 9780451516527 / 0451516524
  • Weight 0.25 lbs (0.11 kg)
  • Reading level 410
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC
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The Scarlet Letter (Signet Classics)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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UsedGood. Good condition but not perfect, Cover has minor nicks and tears, spine shows some creases from use. Ask Questions and request photos if your buying for the cover and not the content. STOCK PHOTOS MAY VARY FROM THE ACTUAL ITEM. ACTUAL PHOTOS AVAIL. UPON REQUEST.
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The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Used - Good
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Reprint Edition
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Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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New York, New York: The New American Library, Inc., 1980. Reprint Edition . Soft cover. Good/No Jacket. Mass Market. G/none, used pb, 256pp. Perfect bound, stiff paper wraps with pink and white colored text on upper and creased spine; edge wear; slight edge wear; no chips or tears. Interior pages clean, unmarked. Binding is tight.
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The Scarlet Letter (Signet classics)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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Signet Classics. Used - Acceptable. Acceptable condition. (Adultery,Clergy,Revenge). A readable, intact copy that may have noticeable tears and wear to the spine. All pages of text are present, but they may include extensive notes and highlighting or be heavily stained. Includes reading copy only books.
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The Scarlet Letter (Signet classics)

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Signet Classics, August 1959. Paper Back . 3 PB standard 50%.
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The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel (Author)

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New York, New York: Signet Classics, 1980. Softcover. Good/No Jacket. Used Book: Mass Market Paperback Light shelf wear and slight lean, with rubbing to the spine ends. Slight rubbing/creasing to the hinges and rippling to the rear cover. Some toning to the inside covers.
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The Scarlet Letter

by Hawthorne, Nathanial

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Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
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The Scarlet Letter

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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Signet Classics, 1959. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Missing dust jacket; 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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The Scarlet Letter

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
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  • Paperback
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Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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Signet Classics, 1959. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Former library book; 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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The Scarlet Letter (Signet Classics)

The Scarlet Letter (Signet Classics)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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Signet Classics, 1959. Mass Market Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
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The Scarlet Letter (Signet Classics)

The Scarlet Letter (Signet Classics)

by Hawthorne, Nathaniel

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780451516527 / 0451516524
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Seattle, Washington, United States
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Signet Classics, 1959. Mass Market Paperback. Very Good. Disclaimer:May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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$5.99
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