The Diamond Smugglers by Ian Fleming, First Edition, First Impression in Original Dust Jacket, 1957

Fleming, Ian. The Diamond Smugglers. London: Jonathan Cape, 1957. Octavo. First edition, first impression. In the original dust jacket and original black cloth-textured boards. Presented with a new, archival clamshell. 

Presented is the first edition, first impression of The Diamond Smugglers by Ian Fleming. The Diamond Smugglers is a nonfiction book, published by Jonathan Cape, in London in 1957. The book is presented here in its original dust jacket and original black cloth-textured boards, with white embossed titles to the spine. 

The Diamond Smugglers is one of two non-fiction books written by Ian Fleming. The book is the result of two weeks of interviews Fleming undertook with John Collard, a member of the International Diamond Security Organization (IDSO). The IDSO was formed by Sir Percy Sillitoe, the ex-chief of MI5 who worked for the diamond company De Beers. The goal of IDSO was to combat diamond smuggling in Africa, by infiltrating and toppling the ring from the inside. The Diamond Smugglers expands upon articles Fleming first wrote for The Sunday Times in 1957. As well as providing a history of the IDSO's operations, Fleming relates a number of illustrative vignettes concerning the diamond smuggling cases Collard and the organization dealt with. 

Ian Fleming (1908–1964) was an intelligence officer, journalist, and creator of the fictional British Secret Service agent James Bond. Beginning in 1939, he served as a liaison between the Navy and the other secret services, where he was privy to the highest levels of intelligence and became known for his creativity in planning operations, work that inspired his later novels. After the war, Fleming became a journalist and in 1953 published his first James Bond novel, Casino Royale. It was a success, and Fleming wrote a new book each year until his untimely death in 1964.

CONDITION:

Good condition overall. First edition, first impression, first state. Octavo. Original black cloth-textured boards, with white embossed titles to the spine. Original dust jacket, in good condition with the spine panel only slightly faded. Interior pages are healthy and clean. Book Dimensions: 8" H x 5 1/2" W x 1" D. 

Book is presented with a new, custom archival clamshell. The clamshell is 1/4 black leather and red cloth, with raised bands, gilt tooling, and gilt titles to the spine, an inlaid photograph of Ian Fleming on the front. Clamshell Dimensions: 9 1/4" H x 6 1/2" W x 1 1/2" D.