Seamark [pseud. Austin J. Small] The Vantine Diamonds

London, Hodder & Stoughton, 1930.

First edition, first impression. 8vo. Original cloth. Dust-jacket, priced 7/6.

A travelling salesman’s case of soap is exchanged for one containing a quarter of a million pounds’ worth of diamonds. Austin James Small (1894–1929), who wrote as “Seamark” in Britain and under his own name in America, ran away to sea as a boy, travelled the world, and served in the Royal Navy during the First World War, where he was a champion heavyweight boxer; he met Jack London, was encouraged by him to write, and took the Seamark pseudonym to comply with Admiralty regulations.