The exhibition also includes original, limited edition etchings, posters, books written and illustrated by Gorey, books written by others but illustrated by Gorey, books whose cover art was created by Gorey, foreign translations of Gorey books, postcards and Christmas cards, theater-related materials, Dracula-related materials, LP record jackets and CD cover art, Metropolitan Opera and New York City Ballet-related items, various stuffed creatures, photographs of Gorey, and a fur parka that he owned.

An opening reception and panel discussion with Karen Wilkin, Andreas Brown, and Andrew Alpern will be held on Wednesday, March 7 at 6pm at the Italian Academy, 1161 Amsterdam Avenue, to kick off the exhibit. All three experts will explore Gorey the man, the meaning hidden in his books, and the historical influences on his art.

Born in Chicago, Edward Gorey attended Harvard after WWII, and then became an illustrator for Doubleday Anchor in New York City. At the same time, he began writing and illustrating his own distinctive works, in a style that evoked a fin-de-siecle atmosphere. Gorey is perhaps best known for the animated opening sequence to the long-running PBS television series, Mystery! In 1978, he won a Tony for best costume design for work he did for Dracula, starring Frank Langella.

Andrew Alpern is a noted architectural historian and attorney. He has an extensive interest in and role in historic preservation. The author of nine books and scores of articles, Mr. Alpern’s interest in Gorey dates back his personal interactions with the illustrator at the Gotham Book Mart.  Gotham owner, Andreas Brown, took an early interest in Gorey and helped promote his work through his store. In 1980, Mr. Alpern published a collection of ephemera by Gorey.