Edward Gorey's Book Covers

Before his now iconic books drew critical acclaim and a dedicated following, Edward Gorey designed book covers in the crowded single room of Doubleday Anchor’s art department. Not yet 30 and recently graduated from Harvard, Gorey initially illustrated paperback covers and dust jackets for the likes of Joseph Conrad, Henry James, and Charles Dickens, establishing a pen-and-ink hand-lettered style that would challenge prevailing American publishing standards and help define his publishers’ visual identities. Today, Gorey’s prodigious output of hundreds of dust jackets and paperback covers evidences his distinctive flair for design and his extraordinary ability to portray the essence of the books that came his way. Enjoy Gorey’s graphic designs and revisit/discover some great literary feats while putting together this 1,000-piece puzzle.