EDWARD GOREY
Edward St. John Gorey was born on Feburary 22nd, 1925 in Chicago, IL. He's most famous for his pen and ink art, but has had a hand in various other artistic projects over the course of his life.
Gorey spent most of his early life moving around various schools in Chicago, and was drawing as early as 18 months old. After graduating high school, he served in the army during WWII (1943-1946) at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah. After his service, he attendinded and graduated Harvard, majoring in french literature
Eddie's Works/Career
While he's written plenty of his own books, Gorey has also done some illustration work for a few novels. Most people know War of the worlds. I don't own this (because most of the gorey books I own i kinda stole from my dad.. shhhh) but the cover alone is fucking stunning.
He also illustrated dracula, but what I think is way more interesting is his two bigger dracula projects. Edward gorey did stage and set design and costumes for the 1970's broadway run of Dracula. I wish my baby ass could have been alive to see it, because not only do the pictures of the set that exist online look fucking fantastic, but the actor who played Dracula was Raul Julia, who played Gomez Adams in the 90's adams family movies (iykyk). Originally Dracula was played by Frank Langella, But i think he left just cause doing all that broadway shit must have been exhausting; he did return for the film adaptation of Dracula though!
^^Raul Julia as Dracula and Gomez Addams^^
^^Photo's of the beautiful sets designed by Gorey, as well as him next to a sick ass coffin. Langella pictured as Dracula, next to beeeeyewtiful fireplace setpiece^^
The best way to experience this now (I imagine) is with the Dracula Toy Theatre, which is like. So fucking cool. You might not find it cool but I do. I mean look at this things
I actually don't even know what I would do this if I owned it. Maybe I'd do all the voices and make them kiss. Anyway, I find both of these really neat, but what Gorey is most known for is his illustrations, which are collected in various compendiums or encyclopdeias or something like that. I have a few books of his stolen from my father, here's some of my favourites from my mini collection:
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