Edward Gorey from “The New Poster Book”

Iconic figures such as bats, crescent moons, and a male figure dressed in a large fur coat recur again and again in Edward Gorey’s art and illustrated works.  The fur-coated figure is reminiscent of Victorian and Edwardian motoring coats.  Actually, Gorey himself became famous for his own raccoon fur coat when he wore it regularly to performances of the ballet in New York.  In later years, he retired the coat and allowed a family of raccoons to take up residence in his attic as an act of penance.