The Haunted Tea Cosy; A Dispirited and Distasteful Diversion for Christmas by Edward Gorey was published in hardcover with an illustrated dust wrapper in 1997 by Harcourt Brace & Company, New York. 
The Haunted Tea Cosy is a parody of Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol, and introduces the Bahhum Bug, who will also appear in Mr. Gorey's final book. This story was commissioned by the New York Times and appeared in the New York Times Magazine on December 21, 1997. The Haunted Tea Cosy is included in Amphigorey Again.
The first edition of The Haunted Tea Cosy was available from Gotham Book Mart as a signed hardcover, and as a signed, slipcased limited edition with 500 numbered and 26 lettered (A to Z) copies. The signed colophon page is tipped into the book. I am showing copies #42/500 and G/26. The announcement card for this title appears below.
The Elegant Enigmas show included two pieces of original artwork from this book, and the art displays the simpler, bolder line quality that much of Mr. Gorey's work from this time period exhibits. It was interesting to be able to compare and contrast the art from this book to pieces created just a few years earlier.
Hi,
ReplyDeleteDo you know if the lettered edition came with the doll? I have the regular signed/numbered with the doll and have been given to understand that the Humbug is now hard to find. With or without the book.
Love your blog. What a very fine collection you have. I should be so lucky!
The dolls accompanied Edward Gorey's next and final publication. I will be discussing the dolls in an upcoming post.
ReplyDeleteAck! Maybe I should consult my Gorey cabinet before I hit the keyboard. Thanks!
ReplyDelete