Man and His Symbols was published by Aldus Books in London and Doubleday in New York in 1964, three years after Jung’s death. The book originated in a dream: Jung dreamed that he was addressing a large audience of ordinary people who understood what he was saying. The dream convinced him — after years of reluctance — to write a book for the general reader rather than for specialists.
Jung wrote the first and longest section, “Approaching the Unconscious,” which serves as both an introduction to his psychology and a summary of his life’s work. The essay explains dreams, archetypes, the collective unconscious, and the process of individuation in language that is clear without being simplistic. The remaining four sections were written by Jung’s associates — Marie-Louise von Franz, Joseph L. Henderson, Jolande Jacobi, and Aniela Jaffé — under Jung’s supervision. Von Franz’s chapter on the process of individuation in fairy tales is particularly distinguished.
The book’s lavish illustrations — reproductions of paintings, sculptures, photographs, and diagrams — were integral to its conception. Jung believed that symbols communicated more directly than words, and the images (which he selected and approved) function not as decorations but as primary texts. The visual richness of the book contributed enormously to its popularity: it became a bestseller and has remained continuously in print for over sixty years.
Collecting Man and His Symbols
First edition (Aldus Books, London, 1964): Large-format hardcover with illustrated dust jacket.
Market values:
- First edition, fine/fine: $100–$300
- Very good/very good: $40–$100
- US first edition (Doubleday, 1964): $80–$200