Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

 

Doll Collector Magazine

The August/September 1990 issue of Dolls - The Collector's Magazine included an article called Give Them A Good Fright by John Darcy Noble. In this essay, the author talks about how 18th & 19th century toys and books were used as cautionary tales to the children of the time.

Mr. Noble establishes a direct influence of these tales and the popularity of works by Edward Gorey. The author also relates how he once used hand made stuffed animal toys by Mr. Gorey to decorate a Christmas tree for the Museum of the City of New York, and the now well known tale of the many stuffed creatures in Mr. Gorey's home that were disemboweled by mice.

Portrait of An Artist Taking a Walk

Portrait of Edward Gorey

by Ben Wickey

A recently commissioned pen, ink, and watercolor portrait

Ben Wickey

Ben Wickey is an immensely talented young artist, illustrator, and film maker. Mr. Wickey's wondrous animations are set to enhance the upcoming (hopefully sometime soon) documentary about Edward Gorey by Christopher Seufert.

Still at the beginning of what promises to be a long career, the singular look and dark humor of Ben Wickey's work calls to mind artists like Edward Gorey, Tim Burton, Ralph Steadman and Henry Selick.

To see works in progress and all of the Edward Gorey animations by Ben Wickey, visit his website HERE.

The House WIth A Clock In Its Walls Movie

The cast for the film adaptation of John Bellairs' The House With A Clock In Its Walls has some additional star power. Kyle MacLachlan has joined previously mentioned stars Jack Black and Kate Blanchette for the film, which begins production next month. MacLachlan will be playing the evil Isaac Izard. Owen Vaccaro has also been signed to play Lewis Barneavelte.

Forty One Barking Dogs

Edward Gorey created many spot illustrations for TV Guide magazine. The wide ranging themes of these assignments challenged the versatility of Mr. Gorey's imagination and talent. Sports, Westerns, and the current (and upcoming) season's programming were all subjects which are not standard themes in Mr. Gorey's work, but which he illustrated with knowledge and humor.

The September 1982 of TV Guide features a spot illustration by Edward Gorey for an article about the filler programming needed in newly formed subscription channels like HBO and The Movie Channel (TCM).  And now, for your intermission pleasure...41 barking dogs! is an article that relates how an "anything goes" style of entertainment in short films is being embraced as filler between shows. In an effort to fill short amounts of time, subjects from quirky to the banal (or "stinkers" as the article states) are all welcomed. The film mentioned in the title is an animated short with 41 dogs barking.

Edward Gorey's artwork for TV Guide is almost always in color, and has a bold quality that is not generally associated with the style of his work. This boldness is a purposeful and direct result of the physical attributes of the magazine itself. Not much larger than a paperback book and cheaply printed, TV Guide was a weekly publication whose articles were short and by necessity, any illustration or photograph was reproduced at a very small size. Edward Gorey was usually adamant that he create original artwork at the size it was to be reproduced, but the pieces made for TV Guide are always drawn large with the intention that they will be greatly reduced and poorly printed. For 41 Dogs, the artwork is 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" and was reproduced at 2 1/2" x 3" (this size is noted in pencil on the artwork). Working at a larger size, Mr. Gorey was free to create poster style images that grab the fleeting attention of the reader.

New York City Ballet Buttons

 Edward Gorey created many designs for the New York City Ballet to be used on merchandise and for fundraising. I have identified seven designs for pinback buttons, each featuring a ballerina in various costumes. the first button shows the ballerina in warm up or rehearsal clothing. The others are dancing in full costume. Two buttons feature color in their costumes.

According to Gorey bibliographer Edward Bradford, the following button was also available with a chain so it could be worn as a pendant necklace.

 The next two buttons are internet images and are not in my collection.

A final button shows an energetic Gorey Cat in toe shoes against a vivid yellow background dancing the Kitty Ballet. Edward Gorey created several images for the Kitty Ballet.

The Kitty Ballet also had a second button design where the kitty has a "come hither" attitude and pink toe shoes. The button pictured is not in my collection.

One final design is not specifically identified as a New York City Ballet button within the image, but appears to be part of the series. It features a bat and a ballerina. This is an internet image and the button is not in my collection.