Happy Independence Day Weekend!

 

 

 

Auction News

On Thursday June 25th Nate Sanders Auctions sold a piece of original illustration art by Edward Gorey from Leaves From A Mislaid Album. Though Leaves was officially published in 1972 by The Gotham Book Mart, Mr. Gorey initially published selected images in First Person magazine in 1960. 

This wonderfully atmospheric image shows a woman swiftly moving towards the top of the stairs in a darkened house. The look on the woman's face is pensive and hesitant as if she has heard a strange noise on the floor below. 

It is interesting to compare and contrast the original artwork with the published image. Light and shadow are emphasized in this captionless drawing creating a gothic drama that the viewer must decipher. The figure is lit with an inner glow on the original, while on the printed card she appears to be less ethereal and blending into the blackness that surrounds her. 

Gorey's pen strokes on the original art convey the wispy textures of the woman's garments in fine detail. In the printed version, the fabrics become less diaphanous and see through. The blackness that surrounds the figure was achieved through pen strokes and ink washes. In the original art, the blackness is visibly three dimensional while on the card it is one tone of black which is effective but not nearly as evocative as the shifting blackness of the art.

To augment his income as a freelance illustrator Edward Gorey occasionally sold original art from the books he illustrated for other authors. Mr. Gorey decided early in his career that he would retain the original drawings from his own publications. This ensured that the original artwork could be used for optimum reproduction if a title was reprinted. Mr. Gorey did eventually sell artwork from two of his primary works including Leaves From A Mislaid Album. Art from this publication rarely comes on the market and when it does, it understandably becomes an event for collectors. This wonderful piece from Edward Gorey's early career sold for $15,115.00 (including the buyer's premium).

Images by Irwin Terry and courtesy Nate Sanders Auctions. 

Auction News

Swann Auction Galleries in New York City held their highly anticipated summer illustration art auction on Thursday June 18th. One of the stars of the proceedings was a whimsical pen, ink & watercolor original piece of art by Edward Gorey.

This delightful image was created by Edward Gorey for PBS Channel 13 in the 1990's. It is unclear if the artwork was ever used as promotional marketing for the station. A donor auction tag on the reverse of the framed piece would suggest that Mr. Gorey made the piece specifically for a fundraising event for the station which was held on March 22, 1999.

Thirteen of Edward Gorey's signature Amphigorey Cats (See my post from Nov 17, 2016. Link HERE) acrobatically cavort on a manicured lawn surrounded by bushes. The cats are waving an immensely large banner emblazoned with the number 13 in Roman numerals. 

As is the nature of Gorey Cats when they play together, this grouping is defying the laws of nature and gravity as they tumble and jumble to create the number 13 with their bodies. Are they holding a split second pose for the viewer before they scatter on the lawn? The knowing grin on each of the cats faces suggests they know exactly what they are up to and will eventually land safely on their paws when they break formation.

 

One unexpected aspect of this group of energetic felines is that they are all wearing close fitting exercise pants, as a team of acrobats would don for a performance. Gorey Cats usually only wear their signature striped sweaters and sometimes flowing striped scarves. This is one of the few times the cats appear fully clothed. No cat is seen from behind, so we must assume that their pants are equipped with a custom "tail fly".

 

The masterful use of color in this piece is subtle, yet distinct and is amongst Edward Gorey's best work. The piece is discretely signed with the artist's initials in the lower right hand corner of the drawing. This amazing piece sold for $21,500.00 (including buyer's premium).

Photos courtesy Swann Auction Galleries and Russell Lehrer

Rick Jones

Rick Jones, longtime friend of Edward Gorey and former director of the Edward Gorey House passed away on March 17, 2026 at the age of 83. His obituary in the Cape Cod Times can be read HERE.

Rick and I became acquainted after Edward Gorey's passing in 2000. Rick was part of the team of friends, family and colleagues that transformed Edward Gorey's home into a permanent museum to honor the artist's legacy. When I began this goreyana collecting blog in 2008, Rick was always helpful with information, ideas, questions, stories, and the occasional correction. Like so many people who knew Mr. Gorey personally, Rick was always quick to relate a story with a smile and a chuckle in his voice.

I met Rick in person on two visits to The Edward Gorey House. Bill Campbell and I first visited the house about a week before the annual House exhibition was to open in 2006. That year, the exhibition explored Edward Gorey's connections with Dracula. In the photo above, Rick had just received the original artwork from Gorey's unfinished/unpublished illustrated edition of the Bram Stoker novel from The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. 

One of the artifacts that would be on display was a Gorey designed throw pillow from the 1977 Broadway production of Dracula.

Also on display was Edward Gorey's Tony Award for costumes from Dracula. Rick kindly let me gently hold the award. 

Our 2014 excursion to The House again found Rick in fine fettle, happily sharing stories and making every visitor feel welcome.

Rick Jones was a true gentleman and a part of Edward Gorey's legacy. He will be truly missed.
 

Peter Neumeyer

Peter F Neumeyer, academic, educator, author and children's literature scholar died on April 2, 2026 at the age of 96. Mr. Neumeyer was a friend and collaborator with Edward Gorey on three books: Donald And The... (published by Addison-Wesley, 1969), Donald Has A Difficulty (Fantod Press, 1970) , and Why We Have Day And Night (Young Scott Books, 1970). 

Edward Gorey entered into an intensely close correspondence with Peter Neumeyer wherein they discussed all manner of subjects including literature and their joint projects. They also sent each other volumes by mail in a frenzy of common interests. Mr. Neumeyer chronicled their back and forth correspondence in the book Floating Worlds, The Letters of Edward Gorey and Peter F. Neumeyer (Pomegranate Books, 2011) - see my blog post from September 30, 2011 HERE.

The recent exhibition Something Else Entirely, The Illustration Art of Edward Gorey included two drawings from Donald And The... 

At the end of January Peter Neumeyer sent a hand written note to The Society of Illustrators to acknowledge and congratulate the Society on the show and its theme of Gorey as illustrator.

photo of Mr. Neumeyer from Santa Rosa Friends Home article -https://frontporch.net/community/friends-house/blog/childrens-literature-author-peter-neumeyer-continues-writing-his-own-life-story-at-friends-house/

Images from Donald And The... courtesy The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust

Image of note from Peter Neumeyer courtesy The Society of Illustrators.

Glen Baxter

Glen Baxter, the British surrealist artist who combined a love of old movies (particularly classic American Westerns), art history, adventure stories, English boy's schools, quirky relatives, and food (particularly cheeses) with absurdist humor died on March 29, 2026 at the age of 82. 

Widely exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, Glen Baxter's first solo exhibition was held at the Gotham Book Mart and Gallery in the mid 1970's. As part of an email exchange with Mr. Baxter a few years ago, the artist sent me this scan of a photo taken at his Gotham Book Mart opening with Edward Gorey. Mr. Gorey was so taken with his works that he purchased ten pieces of art at the show.

For more information about Glen Baxter to here: https://artlyst.com/glen-baxter-artist-of-the-absurd-has-died-aged-82/ 

 Artwork shown is in my personal collection

A Gorey Comic Page

For the May 1966 issue of Esquire Magazine Edward Gorey was engaged to create illustrations for a two page spread authored by David Newman and Robert Benton entitled From Weehawken With Love. 

Founded in 1933, Esquire is an upscale men's magazine with a history of publishing articles and fiction by current authors. While it has featured the pin-up style illustrations of other magazines for men, Esquire is not a Playboy style publication showcasing nude photos of women. Edward Gorey was commissioned three times by Esquire in 1966. The February, May, and December issues all feature works created for articles in the magazine.

Robert Benton (1932 - 2025) worked at Esquire first as art director then as a contributing editor. David Newman (1937 - 2003) worked as an editor for the magazine when the two became professional writing partners who would be nominated for an Oscar as screenwriters for the 1967 film Bonnie and Clyde. Their professional partnership had continued success with screenplays and librettos for Broadway musicals until Benton turned his talents to directing films. Newman then collaborated with his wife Leslie Newman on screenplays for many Hollywood blockbuster films.

Benton and Newman were obviously navigating the complicated world of Hollywood screenwriting when they created this piece, as evidenced in the introduction panel under the title. They also were enjoying writing a humorous pastiche of the James Bond spy films. 

Edward Gorey was a self-avowed film addict who enhanced the story line by adding his own touches of suggestive humor to the drawings. Presented in a comic book format with captions appearing as speech bubbles in each panel, this piece also reads as a storyboard for a film. 

Responding to the parody story line, Edward Gorey draws an eccentric cast of characters including a scientist that has turned blue, presumably because of an experiment that did not go as planned. Mr. Gorey also alters his usual style for the hand lettered text to be "comic book" style rather than "Gorey" style. 

Adapting to the comic book format, Edward Gorey embraces the sex and violence spy theme. The drawings include nudity, an extremely voluptuous Femme Fatale, and bloody violence in his drawings. Agent Ilya Ipcress even appears completely disheveled after having sex with the secretary. Not typical Gorey illustrations, but a format and theme he obviously had fun illustrating.

As the cover of the magazine suggests, this is a comic full of Spying, Science, and Sex.

Photo of Benton and Newman (cropped) by Burton Berlinski 

Original Art by Edward Gorey

I recently added two pieces of original art by Edward Gorey to my collection. This exciting pair of unfinished pieces with a Christmas theme was obviously intended to be a front and rear cover of...something? The lightly penciled in guide lines indicate a place for a title above each image and the artist has sketched in EDWARD GOREY below each drawing. The drawing style and characters pictured firmly indicate that this pair of drawings was executed in or around 1990. The large 8" x 8" image size and formal lettering suggests these pieces were going to be covers for a book or possibly a boxed set of books. 

The central feature of both drawings is a pair of leafless tree trunks that have grown together to form an arch. In a typical Gorey visual turn, the front and rear covers show views of the same arch from opposite sides, but the rest of the details have changed. The front cover has had more finish work completed, with the arch and several of the figures being completely finished. This pair of drawings is a fascinating study on how Edward Gorey approached a project. After sketching in the basics in pencil, he first inked a fine outline to define the main elements. 

On the front cover, a classic Gorey family consisting of a father, mother and baby in swaddling clothes. The woman (mother?) is busy making what we might assume to be a Christmas list. In her unfinished state, she has the appearance of a ghost or phantom, but Mr Gorey has simply not finished drawing her in completely.

Appearing to the left of the arch is a strange figure dressed in an apron, bowler hat, collar, cuffs, and shoes with white spats. It is unclear if this figure is otherwise clothed or naked. The face appears to be covered by the same skin tight fabric as the rest of their body. Edward Gorey often drew stealthy cat burglar figures covered from head to toe in a body stocking in this manner, so the identity of the figure is left to our imagination. Is the identity of this person a waiter, servant, entertainer, or that of a nefarious personage? This person's pose also indicates that they may have just thrown the fruitcake tied with a ribbon that is flying above the arch. The trailing ribbon indicates that the fruitcake is on a trajectory rather than floating or gently falling from the sky.

The central trio of well dressed children on the rear cover may or may not be related to the family on the front. A helpful robot and an alligator flank the arch, each supplied with footstools to extend their reach. All the figures on the rear cover are busy decorating the arch with Christmas ornaments. Edward Gorey has completed less line work on the rear cover, but what has been filled in is rather wonderful. Edward Gorey has fully rendered the alligator and the body of the robot. He had also begun to fill in the arch, but did not get very far.

What the project was or why it remains unfinished will probably never be known, but we can make a couple of guesses. The figures all relate to a suite of drawings Edward Gorey created for A Very Gorey Christmas in The New York Times Book Review (see my post from December 2, 2024 https://goreyana.blogspot.com/2024/12/a-gorey-christmas.html). Perhaps the publishers or Mr. Gorey himself intended to publish the illustrated writings but the project stalled.

Another amusing theory concerns the stain on the upper left corner of the drawing for the rear cover. Edward Gorey is on record as stating that he gave his cats free reign in the house and occasionally they would walk over his drawing table and spill the ink bottle, damaging a work in progress. This stain in the upper right hand corner certainly has the appearance of a cat-spill, and even though the black ink did not encroach into the image area it may have been enough to halt the drawing. We shall never know.

 

Happy Birthday Edward Gorey!

 

Happy 101st Birthday!

Edward Gorey was born on February 22, 1925. Celebrate his birthday by pulling out your favorite Gorey volume and reading it aloud with exaggerated gestures while enjoying a Gin & Tonic (a favorite drink of Mr. Gorey) or some blue food (aspic, perhaps?). I know Mr. Gorey does not like the Birthday Crown, but I am making him wear it again this year!

The Final Week

If you have forgotten, been putting it off, or just figured you would get to it sometime before it closes, the deadline has crept up! 

Something Else Entirely, The Illustration Art of Edward Gorey will close at the end of this week. Visit the Society of Illustrators in New York City this Wednesday through Saturday to view more than 100 original works of art by Edward Gorey. You may even run into co-curator Russell Lehrer during your visit. In addition to being a major lender to the exhibition, Mr. Lehrer has been the acting Master of Ceremonies for the show, giving engaging tours of the works on display. 

A Switch Up On Summer Switch

 

Author, screenwriter and composer Mary Rogers (1931 - 2014) published three books for young readers with cover designs created by Edward Gorey. Collectively known as the Andrews trilogy, the stories follow the magical adventures of the Andrews family. 

The trilogy includes Freaky Friday (1972), A Billion for Boris (1974), and Summer Switch (1982). Freaky Friday was turned into a movie both in 1977 and again in 2003. The covers designed by Edward Gorey are colorful, lively, and invite the potential reader to pick them up. Like the Bellairs book series, the Andrews trilogy is much beloved series by readers of a certain age who fondly remember the stories, and especially the Gorey covers. 

Recently, a friend let me know that he acquired an unrecorded early cover variant for Summer Switch. At first glance the difference appears to just be the background color, but on closer inspection it can be seen that the name of the summer camp on the boy's t-shirt has been changed.

Camp Soonawissakit is the name of the camp as it appears in both printings of the book. It can be assumed that Edward Gorey misread or didn't double check the name of the camp in the manuscript and that the art directors and editors didn't catch the mistake until the book was actually in print. Unfortunately, the original artwork is unknown at this point, so it cannot be checked to see if Gorey himself changed the camp name or (more likely) someone at the published made the correction.

Whoever caught the mistake, the color of the book was also changed to bright green after the initial printing. These kind of printing variants are what keeps book collectors searching used & rare bookstores and on-line sellers for that rare volume to add to their collections.