Edward Gorey Collection Featured in NMSU Library Exhibit
Date: 2000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jeanette Smith, NMSU Library, (575) 646-7492, jcsmith@lib.nmsu.edu
Since 1950, well-known writer and illustrator Edward Gorey has produced volumes of drawings, illustrated
book jackets, designed titles for television series, and displayed his puckish humor throughout his literary
endeavors. He is perhaps best known for his illustrations for the opening and closing credits for the PBS
“Mystery!” television series. Gorey’s work will be displayed on the second floor east of NMSU’s Branson
Library through March 17, 2000. The exhibit is sponsored by the Library’s Special Collections.
A display of 150 book jacket illustrations, including covers for the Anchor series published by Doubleday
(Gorey’s first job as an illustrator), will be available for viewing all hours that the Library is open. Exhibits in
the Special Collections Research Room, including a copy of Gorey’s first published book, The Unstrung
Harp; or, Mr. Earbrass Writes a Novel (Duell, Little, 1953); signed poster-size illustrations; a pop-up book
calendar and playing cards, will be available when Special Collections is open. Special Collections hours
are 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The Library owns more than 400 pieces of Gorey’s work, including books, periodical articles, book
jackets, calendars, playing cards, and posters. Many of these works came from the Library’s 1974 purchase
of the collections of the Gotham Book Mart of New York. The Library’s Special Collections specializes
in collecting and making available for use rare published materials such as the Edward Gorey Collection.
Edward Gorey was born February 22, 1925 and recently celebrated his 75th birthday. He served in the
U.S. Army from June 1944 to February 1946, and received a B.A. in French literature from Harvard
University in 1950. He has published 75 books of drawings, and received a Tony award for designing the
costumes for the Broadway production of “Dracula” in 1978. An avid dance aficionado, Gorey attended
every performance of the New York City Ballet for nearly 30 years. He lives in Yarmouth on Cape Cod
with his six cats in a 200 year old house, and enjoys watching old movies and the “X-Files.”
For more information on the Gorey exhibit, please contact Cheryl Wilson, Special Collections Librarian, at
646-3238. For Library hours, call 646-4749.
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