Edward Gorey's Adornments

Edward Gorey had a flamboyant personal style. From this college days, when he painted his toenails and sauntered around in open toed sandals, to his working days in New York when he draped his 6' 3" figure in full length fur coats, Mr. Gorey always stood out in a crowd.

One of the most pervasive personal adornments Edward Gorey enjoyed throughout his life was jewelry.  His earrings, necklaces, and rings were wonderfully excessive. Perhaps Mr. Gorey took inspiration from the murder mysteries he loved to read, where characters would come to breakfast adorned in every piece of jewelry they brought with them for a weekend house party when the threat of robbery was afoot. Whatever the inspiration, Mr. Gorey loved his baubles. An article published in The Daily Beast (go HERE) discusses Edward Gorey's love of all kinds of jewelry.

A few years back, The Edward Gorey House would hold a yearly auction, featuring personal items decorative objects, artwork, and jewelry collected by Mr. Gorey. From one of these auctions I was able to acquire one of Edward Gorey's rings. Mr. Gorey evidently enjoyed wearing this ring, and I have been able to spot it on his hands in a number of photos. Fortunately, Edward Gorey had large hands, as do I, so I am able to wear this piece on special occasions.

(Photo of Edward Gorey from the Edward Gorey Documentary Project for more information on the upcoming documentary, go to: https://www.edwardgoreyfilm.com )

Auction News

Original works by Edward Gorey continue to do well at auction, and some pieces do amazingly well. Heritage Auctions sold this TV Guide color piece (published February 6, 1988) for $15,000.00 (including buyer's premium).

Never Get on an Elevator Alone with a Foreign Woman is a stunning 7.75" x 5" pen & ink and watercolor painting with everything you could wish for in an Edward Gorey piece. It is nice to see that Heritage is publishing the known provenance as part of the description of their listings. Hopefully, this will become the standard practice of all auction houses and dealers.

2019 Edward Gorey House Exhibition

Next week begins a cavalcade of events at The Edward Gorey House with the opening of the 2019 exhibition entitled Hippity Wippity, Edward Gorey and the Language of Nonsense. The Cape Cod Times published an article about the show and upcoming events at the House - www.capecodtimes.com/entertainmentlife/20190404/yarmouth-port-exhibit-highlights-edward-goreys-nonsense?fbclid=IwAR1bPIcBmlt3VeVGefbED11G9zKTS4AV-VjANdwIlOc0YmeUrb4PKIRU3SU