Hawthorne kept this notebook from May 1850 to June 1853: the earliest entry (p. 1) is dated May 5th, 1850, and the final entry, which notes that Hawthorne "burned great heaps of old letters and other papers preparatory to going to England [including] hundreds of Sophia's maiden letters" is dated June 1853. The preceding entry is dated June 9th, [18]53.
Some portions of text fully canceled with dark brown or black ink. Pages numbered 1-95 by Hawthorne; leaves numbered 1-44 in pencil on the rectos. Many blank leaves follow the final entry. Leaves excised at the following locations: 4 leaves fully and 2 partially excised between pages numbered 6 and 19 (leaves numbered 3 and 6); about two-thirds of leaf numbered 43 (p. 93-94) excised. With a note on leaf numbered 44 (p. 95) indicating that Hawthorne excised p. 16 for the author Charles Warren Stoddard of San Francisco, with portions of the excised leaf copied, and with portions of the final leaf (numbered 43) copied below as well. Initials SHW (Stephen H. Wakeman) in pencil throughout, as well his pencil use-marks.
Part of the collection of Hawthorne's "American notebooks," which are described in four individual records.
Describing excursions and travels. Recording observations and ideas for future stories. Mentioning on p. 10 that Mr. Fields told Hawthorne "that two publishers in London had advertised the Scarlet Letter in press, each at a shilling."