Robert Aickman, Master of the Ghost Story


The works of Robert Fordyce Aickman are becoming increasingly collected on the rare book market. Aickman, a grandson of the Victorian novelist Richard Marsh, was born in England in 1913 and passed away in 1981. He is considered by his fans to be a master practitioner of that most sublime of literary arts - the classic English ghost story. Aickman is probably best known for the series of paperback anthologies he edited in the 1960s and 70s – ‘The Fontana Book of Great Ghost Stories’. Aickman helped compile the first eight volumes (1964-72) in this long running series and while tatty copies of these books are a virtual ever-present in UK bookshops and charity stores, Aickman’s other works are as rare as hen’s teeth.

One of Aickman’s scarcest books is ‘We Are For the Dark: Six Ghost Stories’, a collection of collaborative stories written with Elizabeth Jane Howard, the second wife of the British writer Kingsley Amis (author of ‘Lucky Jim’). Published in London by Jonathan Cape in 1951, this haunting classic sells for up to $750 in excellent condition. Aickman’s other collections from the 60s, ‘Dark Entries’ (1964), ‘Powers of Darkness’ (1966) and the tellingly-titled ‘Sub-Rosa: Strange Tales’ (1968) all sell for premium prices ($300 +) on the modern first edition market. Even Aickman’s later short story collections including ‘Cold Hand in Mine’ (1975), ‘Tales of Love and Death’ (1977), ‘Intrusions’ (1979), ‘Painted Devils’ (1979) and the posthumous ‘Night Voices’ (1985) are becoming increasingly difficult to locate in acceptable condition. Good luck in your travels!

Although primarily noted as an anthologist and accomplished story teller, Aickman also published two novels. The rarest being ‘The Late Breakfasters’, published in London in 1964 by Victor Gollancz – expect to pay around $650 for a fine copy in its original dust jacket. Oh, and one other thing. In 1946 Mr Aickman also helped establish the Inland Waterways Association, a charitable organisation dedicated to preserving the canals and waterways of Great Britain. Aickman even wrote a passionate book on the subject, ‘The River Runs Uphill’.