The Diamond Smugglers (1957) & The Education of a Poker Player (1959)

1.) THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS

A first edition of James Bond author Ian Fleming's first work of non-fiction. Published by Jonathan Cape in 1957.

This is the first state with white titles on the spine. The second state of the first edition had gilt titles. Contents clean with only a former owner's name on front end paper. Jacket is not price clipped with only some minimal chipping at the spine crown and top corners.

From the front flap: 

'A major campaign against the greatest smuggling racket in the world - the smuggling of diamonds from Africa, to the tune of some ten million pounds a year - has just been completed. It took three years, Paris was involved and Antwerp, Beirut, Freetown, Johannesburg - and Moscow. How this underground battle was waged is the greatest spy story since the war.

All the facts have come into the hands of Ian Fleming. He has been in Africa with the secret agent chiefly responsible for penetrating the international smuggling network. Ian Fleming has written this man's story: it is a true story, and breathtaking.'

From an excerpt of Steve McQueen's biography:

'Spy novelist Jeremy Duns revealed that Steve McQueen was considered for the lead role in a film adaptation of The Diamond Smugglers, written by James Bond creator Ian Fleming; McQueen would play John Blaize, a secret agent gone undercover to infiltrate a diamond-smuggling ring in South Africa. There were complications with the project which was eventually shelved, although a 1964 screenplay does exist.'

2.) THE EDUCATION OF A POKER PLAYER

First edition published by Jonathan Cape in 1959.

Card games form an inextricable part of Ian Fleming's James Bond spy novels and although he didn't write this book he was responsible for it being published and also provided a very readable introduction. It is a title that cannot be overlooked in any serious Fleming collection.

The book is clean and square with only a short gift message on the front endpaper. Jacket has some age-associated edge wear but is still in good condition.