Thursday, May 27, 2010

The Dripping Faucet

The Dripping Faucet by Edward Gorey was published in 1989 by the Metacom Press, Worchester, MA. Created as a cut apart flip book, this engaging book can be read in many ways. Published as a signed, limited edition of 500 numbered and 26 lettered (A to Z) copies, this would be Edward Gorey's final cut apart book. The limitation colophon is printed inside the back cover (see below right). Because of the interactive nature of the book, it could not be included in the Amphigorey anthologies and will probably not be reprinted.

At 2" x 11" this book is an awkward size, is consequently somewhat fragile and damages easily. Each copy of the book was issued with a blue stiffening card to help prevent the book becoming bent (see photo above). Once the edition sold out at the original publication price, The Dripping Faucet has always commanded a premium. I am showing copy #258/500.


Each of the 26 lettered copies of The Dripping Faucet were hand colored by Edward Gorey. This was the last book by Mr. Gorey to feature hand coloring, and is also the rarest of all his hand colored books. While his other hand colored books and post card sets were issued in sets of at least 50 copies, there are only 26 copies of this title which were water colored. I am showing copy X.

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