A mysterious mustachioed marimba player sent me this link today; a post containing the complete high-res scans of Edward Gorey’s 1965 book titled “The Recently Deflowered Girl”. I didn’t know this book existed. Some of you might be familiar with the ookey spooky artist’s work from things like The Gashlycrumb Tinies, included in the great collection Amphigorey; a number of you may also be aware of his only “pornographic” book, “The Curious Sofa” penned under the pseudonym Ogdread Weary. I have a hardcover copy of Curious Sofa; in it, there are all manner of Victorian depravities hinted at including twins who possess certain talents with their identical wooden legs, and the noir ending that highlights a strange mechanical sofa…
Joey deVilla from The Adventures of Accordion Guy in the 21st Century wrote (from last month), “Someone on LiveJournal published scans from the book this week. Since its posting, it got popular and the account – and hence the scans of the book – were deleted. I copied the images before that happened, and I’ve published them below for your enjoyment. Click on any of the scans below to see them at full size (…)”
Highly recommended, for those of the very dark and dry of humor.
The victorians had such a great view on things… on the surface it was a very straight-laced time to live but beneath the dapper clothes and heaving bosoms there was a seriously depraved undercurrent.
I must say I’m pleased that you posted this. I’m a big fan of Gorey’s work. He’s inspired me for many years. I love the pictures posted of this particular book.
I know what’s going on my wishlist!