How do you define 'classic gothics'?

[GothicLover]

I think it might not be fair to distinguish the "classics" as pre-2oth century.  It should be those works that stand out in the Gothic genre and/or have influenced later Gothic works.  For example, "Rebecca" has long been considerd a "Classic Gothic", yet it is not 20th century.

I agree! Those with an academic bent may not, however. I think the point should be to make the distinction meaningful to those seeking good gothic romances to read, rather than classifying them relative to other types and genres of literature from an academic perspective.