Description:

'CICERO' - GERMANY'S GREATEST SPY
ELYESA BANZA (1904 - 1970) Albanian who spied for the Germans during the World War II in what widely became known as the Cicero Affair. From 1942 Bazna was the valet of the British ambassador Sir Hughe Knatchbull-Hugessen in Ankara. He began photographing secret British documents for profit on Oct. 21, 1943 and was given the codename 'Cicero'. Banza provided information on the raids on Ploesti and even the D-Day landings, but the Abwehr, under anti-Hitler Canaris, sidetracked his reports, and the British thought him 'too stupid' to be a threat. Banza was paid 300,000 Pounds by the Abwehr which he kept hidden. After the war he tried to go into business, but when his money was deposited, his British Pounds were found to be counterfeit! Banza later tried unsuccessfully to sue the West German government for outstanding pay. He lived in Istanbul for the rest of his life, giving singing lessons and working as a used car salesman. Exceedingly rare S.P. signed twice, 5.75 x 4 in. b/w, a newspaper photograph showing the spy in his later years, signed at top and bottom. Mounted with show-through and some even toning, still quite good.

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June 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000