Books

The very scarce first illustrated edition in English of Nathaniel Hawthorne's celebrated classic of American literature, illustrated by Miss M. E. Dear. The sought after first illustrated edition in English of the novel, a very scarce edition. This was preceded only by an obscure cheap French illustrated edition.Illustrated with a frontispiece, engraved title page, and numerous vignette and full page illustrations by M. E. Dear.In the highly decorative publisher's original cloth binding.One of the most important American novels ever published, 'The Scarlet Letter' follows the young Hester Prynne as she births a child from an unknown man. Living in the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, Prynne is subjected to humiliating punishment, including being ordered to wear a scarlet letter 'A' for the rest of her life.This was and remains an immensely popular novel, and was one of the first mass-produced books in the United States.With the January 1862 inscription of Elizabeth Bailey to the front free endpaper.A desirable and very scarce edition of this novel, which was first published nine years prior. In the highly decorative publisher's original cloth binding. Externally, lovely. Bumping to back strip head and tail, with back strip a touch faded. Front hinge strained, and just a touch tender. Inscription to front free endpaper. Rear hinge strained and firmly held. Internally, firmly bound. Pages bright, with instances of light spotting throughout. Very Good.

The Scarlet Letter, published in 1850, is considered one of Nathaniel Hawthorne's most famous works. It is a historical romance set in the puritanical Massachusetts Bay Colony during the mid-17th century.