FLEMING | The Diamond Smugglers, 1957, presentation copy together with autograph note

IAN FLEMING

THE DIAMOND SMUGGLERS. WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY ‘JOHN BLAIZE’ FORMERLY OF THE INTERNATIONAL DIAMOND SECURITY ORGANIZATION. LONDON: JONATHAN CAPE, 1957

8vo, FIRST EDITION, PRESENTATION COPY INSCRIBED BY THE AUTHOR (“To | John Collard - | Who shall be | nameless! | from | Ian Fleming | Nov. 1957”) on front free endpaper, cartoon frontispiece by Bob Connolly, 16 pages of photographic illustrations, original black cloth, lettered in white, DUST-JACKET, collector’s blue cloth chemise with navy blue morocco-backed slipcase

John Collard, writing under he pseudonym "John Blaize" provided the introduction to this work.

In 1954 Collard had left MI5 to assist Sir Percy Sillitoe in an investigation into diamond smuggling and illicit diamond mining in Africa. Over a period of three years, he established and ran an intelligence network called the ISDO: International Diamond Security Organisation. It achieved a significant reduction in the level of illegal diamond activity working through a network of double agents and informers.

Fleming met Collard in Tangiers in 1957 (organised by Sir Percy Sillitoe) and provided the author with a vital insight into the illicit diamond trade.

This copy also contains, laid in, an autograph note signed by Fleming and addressed to Collard, written on notepaper from El Minxah Hotel (Tangiers), reading, “Welcome! I’m in Room 52. Would you give me a ring when you arrive + will make plans. Good to have you here. Ian F.”

LITERATURE:

Gilbert A15a (1.1)

PROVENANCE:

From the Library of John Collard