Happy Birthday, Edward Gorey!

In celebration of Edward Gorey, born February 22, 1925, here are a few highlights from our collection of works by this master of the macabre:

The Harvard Advocate. Cambridge, MA: Advocate House, 1950. Gorey's first published appearance as an illustrator, showing two Mr. Earbrass-style characters throwing sticks at two hooded heads on pikes. 

 

The Eclectic Abecedarium. Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1983. Gorey's first miniature book, this copy is one of 300 comprising the regular edition, signed by Gorey.

 

 

The Sopping Thursday. NY: Gotham Book Mart, 1970. One of twenty-six deluxe lettered copies, signed by Gorey, with an original drawing laid in. The Sopping Thursday is the first of only two of Gorey's primary works that included original drawings with the deluxe editions. This title, therefore, is extremely rare in the deluxe state.

Q.R.V. Boston: Anne & David Bromer, 1989. From an edition of 400 copies signed by Gorey, this is one of 110 comprising the deluxe issue, with twenty-nine illustrations hand-colored by him in silver and gold metallic paint. This copy bears a presentation inscription on the colophon page and was very likely one of the copies set aside for use by the author and publisher.

 

Season's Greetings 1996 Bromer Booksellers. Boston: Bromer Booksellers, 1996. Features a previously unpublished, full-color cover design by Gorey, who created the artwork originally for a Nieman Marcus holiday catalogue. When the retailer rejected Gorey's work, choosing that of another artist instead, Bromer Booksellers happily acquired the illustration.

And for the truly macabre:

 

The Beastly Baby, by Ogdred Weary. (N.p.): The Fantod Press, (1962). One of 500 copies. First edition of Gorey's first publication from his Fantod Press, published under the name Ogdred Weary, one of his many anagram pseudonyms. Written by Gorey and illustrated with his black and white drawings, this is the story of a bloated baby with two left hands, a guilty conscience, malice in his heart, and a nose that appeared older than the rest of him.

For more works by Edward Gorey, go to our website. Thank you for reading, and we wish you a very Gorey day.