Edward Gorey Art – How to Sell & What It’s Worth

To auction, sell or consign your Edward Gorey art, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).

Who Was Edward Gorey?

American illustrator and writer Edward Gorey is remembered for his dark and eerie illustrations and writings. The Gashlycrumb Tinies, an alphabet book that tells the stories of 26 children and their deaths, is one of his most well-known books. Gorey’s work has inspired numerous creatives including Neil Gaiman, Tim Burton and Guillermo del Toro.

Recent Auction Highlights for Edward Gorey Art

Tales of Good and Evil – Cover Art Sold for $16,081

We realized $16,081 for Edward Gorey cover artwork created for Nicolai Gogol’s Tales of Good and Evil. This exact artwork was unpublished but closely resembles the final cover, with slight differences in the color of the woman’s dress and man’s coat. Artwork measures 4.25 x 7.125 inches and rendered in pen, ink and watercolor on stiff board.

Learn about more about our Edward Gorey original book illustration sales.

”Tattooed Man and Associate” – Sold for $8,750

We sold Edward Gorey original artwork informally titled ”Tattooed Man and Associate” for $8,750. This piece is likely from the early 1950s, when Gorey had recently graduated from Harvard and was starting his career. Artwork measures 6.375” x 4.875 inches and rendered in pen, ink and watercolor. Item is accompanied with original receipt from the Gotham Book Mart, who had a close relationship with Gorey and helped kickstart his career.

The Dark Secret of Weatherend – Frontispiece Art Sold for $5,641

John Bellairs’s Anthony Monday books are a fantasy and mystery series that revolve around 14 year old Anthony Monday and his friends fighting evil forces. Edward Gorey did the remarkable cover and interior art for three out of four books in the series. We realized $5,641 for original pen and ink artwork used as the frontispiece for The Dark Secret of Weatherend, the second book in the series. Visible portion of framed artwork measures 4.25 x 6.75 inches and comes with receipt from Gotham Book Mart.

Limited Edition Signed Postcards – Sold for $5,340

We sold a set of Edward Gorey hand-painted and signed postcards titled “Dogear Wryde Postcards: Interpretive Series” for $5,340. Dogear Wryde was one of Gorey’s anagram pseudonyms that he released postcard sets under. This Interpretive Series sets is one of 50 sold sets and is numbered and signed “37 / Edward Gorey”. Each of the 13 cards features a lizard posing with a word beginning with the letter “I”, such as “Inquisitiveness” or “Ineptitude”.

Ben Kahn Furrier – Advertising Artwork Sold for $4,750

Ben Kahn Furrier was a New York-based furrier that was particularly popular between the 1940s through 1960s. We sold original Edward Gorey advertising artwork for the brand showing two men in stylish fur coats for $4,750. Next to the illustrations is the text, ”Sable-lined black-dyed Lakoda seal or velvet or watered silk”, and ”Sable-lined Lakoda seal or ultrasuede or cashmere or fisher throughout”. Pen, ink and watercolor artwork measures 4.25 x 9.75 inches.

The Autobiography of William Butler Yeats – Art Sold for $4,211

We sold Edward Gorey original artwork from The Autobiography of William Butler Yeats for $4,211. This piece was rejected for the cover but is similar to what ultimately was published. Artwork was created with black and yellow paint and inked crosshatching and measures 4 x 6.25 inches.

”The Talking-Out of Tarrington” – Short Story Art Sold for $3,750

We realized $3,750 for an Edward Gorey illustration for the short story, ”The Talking-Out of Tarrington” by British satirist Saki. Pen and ink illustration has been framed, but visible portion measures 3.625 x 7 inches.

Ben Kahn Furrier – Advertising Artwork Sold for $3,750

We sold playful advertising art by Edward Gorey for Ben Kahn Furrier for $3,750. Pen, ink and watercolor illustrations feature two bearded men with long, thich scarves above text that reads, “Edward Gorey / Mink mufflers in either natural or dyed stripes”. Art measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches and has been framed.

Thanks for checking out some of our Edward Gorey art sales! Please feel free to reach out if you’d like a free appraisal or would like to sell your Edward Gorey art. Our monthly auctions can be viewed here.

What Makes Edward Gorey Art Valuable?

Edward Gorey’s very recognizable work has a cult following. His motifs encompass both death and humor, which has inspired gothic subcultures and appeals to a variety of generations. Some of Gorey’s art was scarce upon release, such as signed postcard sets in a numbered limited edition.

How to Sell Your Edward Gorey Art

It’s never been easier to sell your Edward Gorey art at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

FAQs About Selling Edward Gorey Art

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