Comparing The House of the Seven Gables to the Scarlet Letter - photo 1
Comparing The House of the Seven Gables to the Scarlet Letter - photo 2

Comparing The House of the Seven Gables to the Scarlet Letter

Lot 95
15.06.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Starting price
$ 30 000
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
Archive
The auction is completed. No bids can be placed anymore.
Archive
ID 967653
Lot 95 | Comparing The House of the Seven Gables to the Scarlet Letter
Estimate value
$ 30 000 – 50 000
Comparing The House of the Seven Gables to the Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne, 11 March 1851

HAWTHORNE, Nathaniel (1804-1864). Autograph letter signed ("N.H.") to Elizabeth Hawthorne, Lenox, 11 March 1851.



Two pages, bifolium, 211 x 135mm (contemporary ink smudges, mild dampstains).



Hawthorne on the recently-completed The House of the Seven Gables, "[it] has more merit than the Scarlet Letter; but it will hardly make so much noise as that." A superb letter written in the weeks prior to the publication of the second of Hawthorne's four romances, addressed to his sister Elizabeth while she was staying near Beverly. Addressed "Dear E," Hawthorne opens by relating that "Sophia is busy from morning till night; and I myself am so much occupied with pen and ink that I hate the thought of writing, except from necessity." He then comments about the impending publication of The House of the Seven Gables: "My book will be out about the 20th inst; and I have directed two copies to be sent to the care of Mr. [John] Dike (Hawthorne's uncle). You can dispose of them both as you like; but I should think it best to let him have one. The book, I think, has more merit than the Scarlet Letter; but it will hardly make so much noise as that." He continues, discussing copies of the new edition of Twice-Told Tales just sent to him, and complains of the many "literary people, who send me their books, and expect mine in return." He then asks Elizabeth about her work on an English translation of Cervantes: "it appears to me that there can be hardly any doubt of success and profit from it" (it was never published). He outlines his plans for coming to Salem and Boston in June, mentions a coming visit from Dr. Peabody, and remarks on the pleasure of country living ("I think winter the best time for living in the country"). He concludes (apart from a six-line postscript). "Write me what you think of the House of the Seven Gables. Yours affectionately, N.H." A fine letter by Hawthorne mentioning his best-known works. Published in Letters, Centennial Edition, 16: 402-403.

Address of auction CHRISTIE'S
20 Rockefeller Plaza
10020 New York
USA
Preview
15.06.2023
Phone +1 212 636 2000
Fax +1 212 636 4930
Email
4FQ.AYGKAGLUQ@FO3G@
Conditions of purchaseConditions of purchase
Shipping Postal service
Courier service
pickup by yourself
Payment methods Wire Transfer
Business hoursBusiness hours
Mo 09:30 – 17:00   
Tu 09:30 – 17:00   
We 09:30 – 17:00   
Th 09:30 – 17:00   
Fr 09:30 – 17:00   
Sa closed
Su closed

More from Creator

Mosses from an old Manse, inscribed by Sophia Hawthorne
Mosses from an old Manse, inscribed by Sophia Hawthorne
$3 000
Mudie’s Natural History of Birds
Mudie’s Natural History of Birds
$100
True Stories from History and Biography, The Snow-Image, and A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys
True Stories from History and Biography, The Snow-Image, and A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys
$100
On Franklin Pierce and his new office as U.S. Consul
On Franklin Pierce and his new office as U.S. Consul
$1 000
Inchiquin, 1810
Inchiquin, 1810
$100
Thanking his friend for his financial support
Thanking his friend for his financial support
$5 000
Tanglewood Tales
Tanglewood Tales
$100
The Marble Faun, inscribed by Pierce
The Marble Faun, inscribed by Pierce
$2 000

Related terms

Frequently asked questions

First of all, you should register to be able to purchase at auction. After confirming your email address, enter your personal information in your user profile, such as your first name, last name, and mail address. Choose a lot from the upcoming auction and the maximum amount you want to place on it. After confirmation of your choice, we will send your application by e-mail to the appropriate auction house. If the auction house accepts a request, it will participate in the auction. You can view the current status of a bid at any time in your personal account in the "Bids" section.
Auctions are performed by auction houses and each of the auction houses describes their terms of auction. You can see the texts in the section "Auction information".
The results of the auction are published within a few days after the end of the auction. In the top menu of the site, find the tab "Auctions". Click on it and you will be on the auction catalog page, where you can easily find the category "Results". After opening it, select the desired auction from the list, enter and view the current status of the interested lot.
The information about the auction winners is confidential. The auction winner will receive a direct notification from the auction house responsible with instructions for further action: an invoice for payment and the manner in which the goods will be received.
Each of the auction houses has its own payment policy for the won lots. All auction houses accept bank transfers, most of them accept credit card payments. In the near future you will find detailed information for each case in the section "Auction information" on the page of the auction catalog and the lot.
Shipment of the won lot depends on its size. Small items can be delivered by post. Larger lots are sent by courier. Employees of the auction houses will offer you a wide range to choose from.
No. The archive serves as a reference for the study of auction prices, photographs and descriptions of works of art.
?>