The Wretch Comes To Life

 

My husband Bill likes to make all kinds of toys and figurines. For the past few years he has been surprising me with an Edward Gorey inspired creation for my birthday or our anniversary, both of which fall at the end of the year. The first figure he made depicts a scene from The Unstrung Harp where Mr. Earbrass is playing croquet in a snowy winter landscape. This figure is a traditional "smoker" (an incense burner) that when lit his breath comes out as smoke through his nose. The second is based on a Christmas card of an Earbrass man balancing piles of wrapped packages. When moved, he shakes and tips and the contents of the boxes rattle.

This year, Bill created a figure based on a piece of art I recently acquired depicting the Evil Communications character called The Wretch (see my previous post).

The Wretch is seen wandering the streets trying to sell his dubious pamphlets. There are piles of discarded pamphlets scattered at this feet, thrown back at him by disgruntled passersby. The Wretch's head can be turned and when bumped or moved, he waves the pamphlets as he flails his arms back and forth. As an added marketing tool for his propaganda, Bill made him so that the sign on his back lights up and changes colors. The short video shows how this unique gift was appropriately wrapped and revealed!