A Presentation on Edward Gorey by Ken Morton

On September 24, 2018 Ken Morton gave a presentation about Edward Gorey that was captured on video for Tales of Cape Cod. Mr. Morton is on the Board of Directors of The Edward Gorey House museum. He is also a second cousin of Mr. Gorey's.

Ken Morton grew up with Edward Gorey as a presence in his life and the half hour presentation is full of rare insights and family stories. Mr. Morton shares many candid family photos and images of some never published early artworks.

This captivating presentation is available to experience on YouTube HERE.

Auction News

Doyle Auction House in New York City held The Collection of Stephen Sondheim auction on Thursday June 18, 2024. Amongst the personal memorabilia, antiques, artworks, and antique board games being offered were two lots of books by Edward Gorey.

 The first lot consisted of four books including The Tunnel Calamity (first edition accordion book), Q.R.V. The Universal Solvent (first trade edition), The Eclectic Abecedarium (first signed limited edition miniature book), and The Twelve Terrors of Christmas by John Updike (illustrated by Mr. Gorey, first trade edition). All books in this lot were hand signed by Mr. Gorey.

With a pre-sale estimate of $200.00 - $300.00, this lot sold for just over $1400.00 (with buyer's premium).

The next lot consisted of two first edition books - The Doubtful Guest and Phantasmagorey. Both of these books have been personally inscribed to Mr. Sondheim.

These exceptional treasures had a pre-sale estimate of $500.00 to $800.00 and sold for just over $3500.00 (with buyer's premium).

While none of the books from this auction will be entering my collection, I do have a wonderful letter from Mr. Sondheim to someone named Joe, thanking him for the gift of a book by Edward Gorey and commenting on his Gorey book collection. (see my post from December 13, 2021 - https://goreyana.blogspot.com/2021/12/sondheim-collects-gorey.html. As an avid admirer of both men and their works, this letter is something of a Holy Grail in my collection.