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The Scarlet Letter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter Paperback - 2017

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.

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 Paperback
  • Pages 218
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Prabhat Prakashan
  • Date 2017-06-14
  • ISBN 9789352662043 / 9352662040
  • Weight 0.72 lbs (0.33 kg)
  • Dimensions 9 x 6 x 0.5 in (22.86 x 15.24 x 1.27 cm)
  • Reading level 410
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 19th Century
    • Chronological Period: Medieval (500-1453) Studies
    • Cultural Region: British
    • Sex & Gender: Feminine
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The Scarlet Letter
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

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New
ISBN 13
9789352662043
ISBN 10
9352662040
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The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

by Nathaniel Hawthorne

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 13
9789352662043
ISBN 10
9352662040
Quantity Available
10
Seller
Southport, Merseyside, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
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$12.74 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Paperback / softback. New.
Item Price
$30.35
$12.74 shipping to USA