Offered for sale is a true first edition of What Dreams May Come by Cynthia Asquith, published in London in 1951. This is Asquith’s only full-length collection of original ghost stories and one of the most sought-after volumes in classic British supernatural fiction.
The book is complete with its original illustrated dust jacket, priced 10s. 6d. net, confirming first issue status. Copies in this condition, especially with the jacket intact, are increasingly scarce.
Condition
The Book Itself:
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Very Good condition
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Clean, bright pages with light age toning
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Solid binding, no loose pages
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No inscriptions or bookplates noted
Dust Jacket:
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Original, unclipped
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Moderate edge wear and rubbing consistent with age
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Some chipping and surface wear, but artwork remains clear and attractive
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Spine text fully legible
Please review all photos carefully.
About Cynthia Asquith:
Cynthia Asquith was one of the most influential literary figures in early 20th-century Britain. She is best known as the editor of The Ghost Book 1927, one of the most important supernatural anthologies ever published, which helped define the modern English ghost story.
Asquith moved in elite literary circles and worked closely with writers such as M. R. James, L. P. Hartley, and Walter de la Mare. Although primarily known as an editor, What Dreams May Come stands out as her only major work of original supernatural fiction, showcasing her own mastery of psychological horror, atmosphere, and subtle dread.
History & Significance of What Dreams May Come:
Published in 1951, What Dreams May Come arrived at a time when traditional English ghost stories were falling out of fashion, making the book something of a late classic of the genre.
Rather than relying on overt shocks, Asquith’s stories focus on:
The collection has since become a cornerstone work for collectors of supernatural fiction and is frequently cited alongside works by M. R. James and Elizabeth Bowen for its restrained but chilling style.
Due to its modest original print run and fragile dust jacket, surviving first editions, especially with the jacket, are increasingly hard to find.
Dimensions:
Weight - 350g
Height - 19cm
Width - 13cm
Thickness - 2cm
