Happy Independence Day!

 

 Happy Independence Day!

 

A Gorey Fundraiser

The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust is throwing a cocktail party fundraiser at The Strand bookstore in NYC! Proceeds from the event benefit The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust. It all starts at 6:00 pm on Wednesday August 9th.

Wax your (false) mustache, get the Spoffish Emeralds out of the vault, and hobnob as part of the Gorey glitterati! Imbibe Gorey-inspired cocktails while discussing the current location of the Lisping Elbow. There will be a special display of rare and unusual Gorey materials and ephemera from a private collection. You can also add something special to your own collection at the Silent Auction.

To secure your ticket for this special event, go here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-edward-gorey-cocktail-party-or-a-nocturne-at-the-strand-registration-656710537897

Alfresco Entertaining

As the weather improves and the flowers and trees begin to fill out once again, everyone's thoughts begin to focus on outdoor dining and entertaining. Here are a handful of ideas by Edward Gorey on how one can entertain alfresco during the summer months.

An Afternoon Lawn Party - The Skeleton in the above illustration (for Bantam Books Summer Reading 1995 campaign) enjoys a relaxing summer afternoon in a hammock with an improving book. None of the guests of the garden party seem to mind that the skeleton has not dressed for the occasion, or that he has spiked the lemonade with poison.

A Picnic - Sometimes a quiet summer picnic in a secluded glen is just the ticket. The two children featured in Edward Gorey's China Design: Picnic (1974 Graham Gallery Exhibit) are contentedly munching their picnic lunch unaware that they are being observed from afar.

Drinks On The Lawn - Dining in the great outdoors has its pleasures and pitfalls. The well dressed gentleman sharing a meal in the pigsty doesn't seem to mind the odorous environment. Then again, when one has been raised by wealthy farm animals, one gets used to the smell (Hollywood's Most Outrageous Stories, TV Guide December 21 - 25, 1985). The script treatment probably was inspired by a writer's obsession with the sitcom Green Acres.

A Weekend At The Seaside - And finally, the ultimate summer outdoor entertaining - the family get together! In this delightful image from the early 1950's this family of gentlemen are disporting themselves at the seaside on land, sea and air.

A Melancholy Anniversary

On April 15, 2000 Edward Gorey passed away. We were on our annual visit to New York City at the time and as usual, made several visits to The Gotham Book Mart to pour over the treasures they had to offer.

As it does this year, in 2000 April 15th fell on a Saturday. As usual, when we arrived in Manhattan on Wednesday April 12th, we checked into our hotel and went to The Gotham Book Mart for our initial deep browse. On Thursday evening we attended the New York Antiquarian Book Fair and went back to GBM on Friday to finalize our selections.

During our Friday visit, there was an odd shift in the atmosphere at GBM. Unbeknownst to us, Edward Gorey had suffered a heart attack on Wednesday and his condition was dire. Gina Guy, our Gotham guide to all things Gorey at that time was on edge and kept urging me to pick up whatever I showed an interest in, which was not her usual sales approach. It was only on our return to Minneapolis on Sunday April 16th that we would learn of Mr. Gorey's heart attack and passing.

Images: (top) The Iron Tonic 1969, (upper middle) Cemetery stage set design for Don Giovanni 1980, (lower middle) Unpublished, dated 1984 on reverse, (bottom) The Osbick Bird 1970

A Visit To New York

We recently returned from a visit to New York City, our first time back in almost five years (skyline view from the airport bus through a  window that needed cleaning). Before it closed in 2007, our annual visits would commence by dropping our bags at the hotel and making a beeline for The Gotham Book Mart. Our visits would also include a visit with Christine von der Linn at Swann Auction Galleries to catch up and discuss all things Edward Gorey. 

While The Gotham Book Mart experience can no longer be savored,  Ms. von der Linn, who now works with Honey & Wax Booksellers in Brooklyn, New York was able to meet us in the City for coffee. Our nosh overlapped with our planned lunch meeting with Edward Gorey Trustee Eric Sherman and Archivist Will Baker. (left to right: Will Baker, Eric Sherman, Christine von der Linn, Irwin Terry)

Lunch was followed by a brief visit to the Edward Gorey Archive to view the ongoing organization of the materials it houses. The Archive has only recently moved into its current space and a tremendous amount of time and effort is being spent to organize and document the materials. While the archive will not be ready to accommodate researchers for quite some time, it is exciting that the treasures it holds are finally being cataloged.

Happy Birthday Edward Gorey!

 

Remembering Edward Gorey on his 98th birthday! 

Happy VD!