Gorey's first book. The Unstrung Harp has the distinction of being virtually the only Gorey book where the written word is as lengthy as the illustrations are detailed. It is said that you should write about that which is familiar to you, and Mr. Gorey did just that in this book." Often referred to as "a small masterpiece", "The Unstrung Harp" is clearly an autobiographical work and offers insights into his creative process in a manner which draws the reader both into the work itself and into the mind of Edward Gorey. This book, his first published work, may be a bit different than many Gorey fans might expect; he was still developing his signature style and therefore the illustrations "are wonderfully complex while still exhibiting a looseness of line that is not present in later works." The "tale is of an author struggling to find the right story to fit a title plucked at random from a list of hopeful book titles (a practice Gorey indulged in). It goes on to detail all the attendant difficulties involved in writing a novel" - from Goreyana blogspot

Hardback First Edition published by Duell, Sloan & Pearce/Little, Brown & Co in 1953. A nice, tight copy of the book in the original dust jacket. Dust jacket has some rubbing and small tears. It is chipped at the top and bottom of the spine. Book has normal shelf wear. Please see photos for details.