Edward Gorey took a playful delight in the macabre. A photograph of his Grand Curtain from "Dracula" signed by the artist was sold at Swann Galleries in May. (Would someone please tell Swann that "Dracula" wasn't a musical?) Actor Jeremy Brett, who starred in Edward Gorey's "Dracula" from 1978 to 1979, complicates matters by posting a photo of the stage curtain which shows the design in reverse. To my eye, the orientation in the photo signed by Gorey is correct.
This lot from Swann Galleries consists of a book and several posters related to Edward Gorey's "Dracula" (1977). I was lucky enough to see Frank Langella in this atmospheric production which ran on Broadway at the Martin Beck Theatre in the late 1970's. Note how in the theater posters the sky's dark negative space forms the silhouette of a vampire bat with the macabre full moon serving as the deathly face.
Edward Gorey, A Toy Theatre: "Dracula," 1979
Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Shaftesbury Theatre, 1979
Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Martin Beck Theatre, 1977
Edward Gorey, "Dracula" poster, Curran Theatre, 1978
