New Limited Edition Edward Gorey Print

The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust is throwing a cocktail party fundraiser on Wednesday August 9th at the Strand Bookstore in New York City. Tickets to this special evening are still available HERE.

A unique feature of the event is a silent auction featuring posters, limited edition prints, personal items of Edward Gorey, and original artwork. For those who cannot attend the event in person, there is an option to bid online ($30.00 registration fee).

The Edward Gorey Trust has created Ancient Survivals, a new limited edition print especially for this event. Registered auction bidders may purchase the print on line at this time. To register to bid online go HERE.

Summer at th Edward Gorey House

  

The Edward Gorey House is in full summer mode. Have you planned your pilgrimage visit yet?

The Edward Gorey House is the only museum dedicated solely to the works of Edward Gorey. Housed in Mr. Gorey's rambling home in Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts, the museum mounts a unique themed exhibition annually, mixing original artworks, books, and ephemera along with personal items. 

The 2023 exhibition, Dressed To Kill, Edward Gorey and the Social Fabric, shines a runway spotlight on the clothing and costume designs created by Edward Gorey for his books, illustrations, and stage productions.

If you are unable to visit The Edward Gorey House in person, you can still show your support with an annual House membership. Members are rewarded with several benefits including free admissions and discounts at the gift shop, both in person and online. 

A desirable membership premium at the $100.00 Donor level (and above) is a highly collectible exhibition booklet created by museum curator Gregory Hischak. Begun in 2020, each annual booklet is fully illustrated and features new essays by Mr. Hischak that give in-depth context to the current exhibition. Produced in very small print runs, these booklets are unique collector's items that are highly sought after.

To donate to the House or subscribe with a membership, to HERE.

Patriotic Figbash

 

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