Description
The book looks at the Schlumpf Affair. Fritz and Hans Schlumpf built a massive fortune in textile manufacturing before industrial decline and worker strikes hit their business.
This triggered a series of events which resulted in the French government accusing the brothers of embezzlement, and threatening to seize their collection of 500 vintage cars.
Rather than face trial in France, the brothers boarded a train and crossed the border into Switzerland. They settled in Basel, where local French officials later tracked them down to negotiate over the fate of their priceless Bugatti automobiles. Ager’s book uncovers deep political connections, tying the car collection to broader Cold War politics and international finance.
