Joseph Mikulec, a globetrotting figure born in 1878 in Oroslavje, Croatia, spent his life collecting signatures from people across the world, earning the title of the man with the world’s largest autograph collection.
Mikulec left his rural roots in Croatia during his 20s, embarking on an odyssey that took him to far-flung corners of the globe, even to New Zealand, a country with just a million inhabitants at the time.
Despite supposedly being unable to read or write, Mikulec captured the attention of a Croatian publishing company that promised him $10,000 if he could walk around the Earth and document his adventures—a book that never materialized.
However, in his travels amounting to the equivalent of eight trips around the world, he managed to compile a remarkable tome filled with approximately 60,000 signatures, weighing an impressive 60 pounds and standing about 8 inches thick.
Nathan Raab, a dealer of historic documents based in Ardmore, expressed awe at Mikulec’s accomplishments, remarking on the sheer magnitude of his journey while carrying such a hefty book.
“‘He wasn’t calling an Uber. He was walking around carrying that thing on his shoulders,’ Raab noted, emphasizing the tenacity of Mikulec’s travels.”
In the twilight of his life and battling financial difficulties, Mikulec sold his coveted autograph book to Samuel Robinson, a businessman from Philadelphia whose grocery chain would eventually evolve into ACME Markets.
The autograph book remained in Robinson’s family for nearly a century until it was sold to Raab last year, allowing for its eventual return to its homeland.
On behalf of Oroslavje, Mayor Viktor Šimunić took the initiative to reunite the town with its historical artifact, purchasing the book from Raab for nearly a quarter-million dollars.
“We must bring it home,” Šimunić affirmed while visiting Ardmore last week to collect the book, highlighting the potential for tourism growth and the significance of this piece of their heritage.
He envisions transforming Oroslavje into a cultural hub by inaugurating a museum to celebrate Mikulec’s life and work, elevating him to national hero status.
Historically, Mikulec was known for his self-promotion; his strategy often involved visiting local newspapers upon arriving in towns, seeking press to advertise his ambitious project.
Mayor Šimunić has obtained over 800 press clippings documenting Mikulec’s travels. A Pathé newsreel in 1922 featured him showcasing his signature book, juxtaposed with imagery of the election of Pope Pius XI and U.S. Secretary of State enjoying a Caribbean vacation.
Though not everyone appreciated Mikulec’s antics, as evidenced by comments from a 1914 newspaper in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where a journalist expressed relief that World War I would limit Mikulec’s travels.
In contrast, many Croatian immigrants viewed him as a hero, always celebrated in local publications. Šimunić noted that the Croatian press often referred to him proudly as “our big Croatian guy.”
However, his fame dimmed over time, and after Raab listed the book for sale in 2022, interest in Mikulec was reignited.
The mayor, who had previously been unaware of Mikulec until recently, recognized the opportunity to bolster his town’s identity through its association with this historic figure.
To honor Mikulec, the town erected a statue, and with the autobiography now back in Oroslavje, plans for the museum are in full swing.
Šimunić referred to Mikulec as the first “influencer,” drawing parallels between his autograph book and modern social media. He illustrated how the book captured messages, illustrations, and music notes from artists, similar to how people today interact online.
Interestingly, not all pages of Mikulec’s book are filled. The final several dozen pages remain blank, prompting Šimunić to extend the legacy further by inviting mayors from major American cities to sign the book, fostering international connections and a modern homage to Mikulec’s global vision.
As such, the return of Joseph Mikulec’s autograph book symbolizes not just a personal journey but also an opportunity for Oroslavje to reclaim a significant part of its cultural narrative while bridging connections across the globe.
image source from：whyy
