Annual Charles Rheault Lecture

The adjectives for Edward Gorey seem almost endless - visionary, gothic, frivolous, solitary, flamboyant, odd, and genius. I would add to these "generous" and "delightful."

I had the pleasure to work on five book-related projects with Gorey in the mid 1980s and 90s: two miniature books, two posters for Boston Antiquarian Book Fairs, and a cover drawing for one of Bromer Booksellers' catalogues. He was meticulous and exacting in his work ethic, and the results have enthralled millions. 

Edward Gorey long ago became a cult figure with his sets for Masterpiece Theatre on PBS and his Tony award winning costumes for "Dracula" on Broadway. These, together with his swooning Victorian ladies and doomed toddlers, are now part of popular culture.

Anne Bromer and her husband David began Bromer Booksellers in the 1960s and were located in Copley Square for 45 years. Last year Anne closed the business, having traveled the world buying and selling rare books for sixty years. During the decades she met fascinating people, none more curious and special than Edward Gorey. Being welcomed into his world for more than a decade was an honor.