Edward Gorey — The Epiplectic Bicycle; the Doubtful Guest

London, Bloomsbury, 1998-1999. First edition. Hardback. A smart two volume set of early editions of Edward Gorey's highly illustrated books. A two volume set. In the publisher's original pictorial hardback bindings.A set of works by Edward Gorey, an American writer, Tony Award-winning costume designer, and artist, noted for his own illustrated books as well as cover art and illustration for books by other writers.His characteristic pen-and-ink drawings often depict vaguely unsettling narrative scenes in Victorian and Edwardian settings.This set includes:(1998) The Doubtful Guest.The first UK edition. The third of Gorey's books. The story begins with the sudden appearance of a strange, penguin-like creature in a turn-of-the-century manor house. An aristocratic family struggles to coexist with the creature, who is by turns despondent and mischievous. (1999) The Epiplectic Bicycle.The first UK edition, sixth impression. While Embley and Yewbert are hitting one another with croquet mallets one day, an untenanted bicycle rolls into their garden. This book chronicles their adventures across turnip fields, through barns and into bushes. In the publisher's original pictorial hardback bindings. Externally, excellent. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean. Fine . Ill.: Edward Gorey. Fine .