Under Sea Ballet

Ian Hugo

There is an impression of "Under Sea Ballet" in the British Museum. In 1942 Hugo's wife, author Anais Nin, was looking for a publisher for her book "Under a Glass Bell." When she could not find one she and Hugo (Hugh Guiler) started Gemor Press with Hugo creating a series of copper engravings, printed in relief as illustrations. "Under Sea Ballet," was done in a format that could be used for the cover, but was not selected, the image "Under a Glass Bell" was finally decided upon.

Though editioned at 30, each impression of "Under Sea Ballet" is printed differently. Hugo started engraving at Atelier 17 in New York and the experimental nature of the atelier continued through to his work with Anais.

Her publication "Under a Glass Bell" is now considered one of Anaïs Nin’s finest collections of stories, it was initially deemed unpublishable. Refusing to give up on her vision, in 1944 Nin founded her own press and brought out the first edition, illustrated with striking black-and-white engravings by her husband, Hugh Guiler (Ian Hugo). Shortly thereafter, it caught the attention of literary critic Edmund Wilson, who reviewed the collection in the New Yorker. The first printing sold out in three weeks.