World’s first Influencer’s legendary book returns to Croatia from the US

(Photo: Viktor Šimunić gradonačelnik Oroslavja/Facebook)

The Oroslavje City Council in northern Croatia has purchased and the original book of Josip Franc Mikulec, a native of Oroslavje and considered by many as the world’s first influencer.

Also known as “Joža the Traveller,” Mikulec set off at the age of 27 on an extraordinary journey that took him around the world over nearly 30 years.

Starting on foot from Zagreb in 1906, he traveled through Europe to South Africa, and then across Latin America. Remarkably, he walked from Buenos Aires all the way to Philadelphia, arriving in the U.S. in 1905.

What made Mikulec truly unique was the leather-bound book he carried with him everywhere. Over time, it filled with 2,500 pages of autographs, messages, and dedications from a wide range of notable figures, including six U.S. presidents, Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie, Enrico Caruso, and Stjepan Radić.

The book became a symbol of his travels and legacy and now it is on its way back to Croatia thank to an initiative led by Oroslavje Mayor Viktor Šimunić, who personally travelled to the United States to finalise the acquisition.

Josip Mikulec (Photo: Croatian History Museum/ Public domain)

The book, which holds great historical and cultural value, had been preserved in the US for over a century.

“More than 100 years ago, our Josip Franc Mikulec left his mark on the world. Today, we go to America to bring back a part of that legacy, his original book,” Šimunić said before embarking on the journey.

The book was officially purchased from the prestigious Raab Collection in the United States for 225,000 US dollars, despite an estimated market value of 275,000 dollars.

(Photo: Viktor Šimunić gradonačelnik Oroslavja/Facebook)

Nathan Raab, the head of the Raab Collection, recognised the cultural and historical significance of returning the book to Mikulec’s hometown, and agreed to a reduced price.

“This is more than the return of a single book. This is a small town doing big things,” Šimunić said.

The Croatian delegation was also warmly received at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia in Washington.

Ambassador Pjer Šimunović praised the efforts and vision behind the project and expressed full support for further promotion of this remarkable story.

(Photo: Viktor Šimunić gradonačelnik Oroslavja/Facebook)

“We are grateful for the warm welcome, the time they gave us, and their understanding of the importance of this project – not only for our town, but for Croatia as a whole,” the mayor said.

With the book soon to be officially presented in Oroslavje, the city plans to continue telling Mikulec’s story to the world, a story that bridges generations and continents.

Monument for Josip Franjo Mikulec unveiled in Oroslavje (Photo credit: Krapina-Zagorje County)