CRAM, Ralph Adams (1863-1942). Black Spirits & White. A Book of Ghost Stories. Chicago: Stone & Kimball, 1895. 12mo. [154], [16, ads] pp. Publisher's full light gray cloth, boards decoratively stamped in black and green, spine lettered in green, floral endleaves on gray paper. Printed for Stone & Kimball by the Lakeside Press. FIRST EDITION OF THIS RARE AND IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF GHOST STORIES, WRITTEN BY AN AMERICAN ARCHITECT. Offered with a first American edition of one of his architectural titles, The Ruined Abbeys of Great Britain (fine with embossed bookstamp on ffep).

"...foremost for horror fans is a small collection Black Spirits & White, hailed as one of the most extraordinary volumes of terror tales published. It includes his best-known story of a frightening journey through 'The Dead Valley,' which Lovecraft [in Supernatural Horror in Literature] singled out for praise." (Ashley, Who's Who in Horror and Fantasy Fiction, p. 58.) "Excellent local color; transitional between the Victorian personal ghost story and the Edwardian interest in supernatural evil." (Bleiler, The Guide to Supernatural Fiction 442.) His story, "No. 252 Rue M. Le Prince" is considered to be one of the best haunted house stories ever written.

Spine a bit dull, light rubbing to binding, upper rear corner bumped, front hinge starting, some toning and minor marginal chipping to endleaves. Still, fine. Housed in modern quarter green morocco clamshell case.