Anaïs Nin (1903-77) is a somewhat polarising literary figure, and is often regarded as one of the first and finest writers of female erotica. She ran her private Gemor Press in Greenwich Village from 1942 to 1947 and was the printer-publisher of four of her own books, now rare letterpress editions. She taught herself to set type and stood for hours working the treadle press - apparently in rather glamorous outfits.