Antiquarian Auctions

Auction #114 begins on 11 Apr 2024

Ian Fleming

The Diamond Smugglers

Published: Jonathan Cape, London, 1957

Edition: 1st

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Jonathan Cape, London, 1957. First edition, early printing of the thrilling true story behind one of the greatest spy operations in history. Octavo, original cloth, illustrated.  Near fine in a very good dust jacket. Jacket design by Denis Piper. Introduction by John Blaze. Small loss to the jacket at the bottom front panel edge. Not price-clipped.

In 1957, as the Cold War raged, Ian Fleming took a break from writing James Bond to craft a work of non fiction every bit as tense as a Bond adventure. Aided by an ex-MI5 agent and International Diamond Security Organization operative going by the alias "John Blaize," Fleming chronicled the IDSO's infiltration of the "million-carat network"--the world's most notorious diamond smuggling ring.

Every year, a shadowy band of racketeers pirated a fortune in diamonds out of Africa, and the majority of the stolen gems wound up in the hands of Communist nations. In response, the IDSO commissioned a private army, led by legendary British spymaster Sir Percy Sillitoe, to penetrate and topple the ring. And when the operation was complete, the Sunday Times gave the story to Fleming, who had impressed Sillitoe with his 1956 Bond adventure Diamonds Are Forever.

  • Jacket Condition: Very Good
  • Binding Condition: Very Good
  • Overall Condition: Very Good
  • Size: 8 Vo
  • Sold By: White Eagle Books
  • Contact Person: Andrew Saidi
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Telephone: 020 8997 9894
  • Preferred Payment Methods: Paypal
  • Trade Associations: PBFA IOBA


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