If we stood perfectly still in the jungle, at first there would be dead silence... but soon the noises would commence... Zetta Wells on her first visit to the Malay jungle

{HISTORY}

Who's ready to embark on a wonderful adventure with Raffles, the talking Mynah bird from exotic Malaya?  

This true account of a real-life bird named Raffles who was orphaned in the Malayan jungle (now known as Malaysia) is a captivating story steeped in the romanticism of early 20th-century travel and exploration.  Rescued by Zetta and Carveth Wells, two of the early 1900s most glamorous explorers, the story of Raffles (aka Raff for short) begins when he's found as a helpless baby bird by Zetta in the jungle in the late 1930s. 

Quickly adopting Zetta and Carveth as his new parents, the three embark on the long journey home via boat from Malaya to New York City. Stopping in many different ports along the way,  the story is recounted by Zetta and her observations and experiences traveling and caring for an exotic baby bird.

Zetta and Carveth aren't experienced bird handlers and Raffles is only guided by his wild instincts, so captivating storytelling awaits as these three fish-out-of-water characters navigate their new relationship and their way across the globe.  Propelled by goodwill, common sense, and affection for each other, Zetta and Carveth bring a wealth of savvy world traveler experience and exploration-fueled curiosity to the story. Raffles, on the other hand, brings himself and his quirky nature. 

As he grows from infancy to maturity during the journey, Raffles learns about life on board the ship. His favorite foods are determined - rice, mangos, and grapes. He observes how other wild birds hitchhike their way from one country to the next via the ship's outdoor promenades. He develops a day-to-day routine with Zetta, and most delightfully, he learns how to talk. Mimicking Zetta and Carveth's conversations and the ship-centric noises he processes becomes Raffles's most endearing trait. Needless to say. Raff is enchanting from page one. 

 As professional explorers fueled and funded by some of the country's most iconic institutions, Zetta and Carveth Wells were quite the dazzling duo. Often compared to Osa and Martin Johnson, Zetta and Carveth defined the allure and exotic appeal of world travel during the early to mid-20th century.  Romantic, free-spirited, and infectious in their enthusiasms, they led research expeditions to such far-flung places as Africa, India, Mexico, Japan, Morrocco, Egypt, and Palestine from the 1910s to 1940s before settling in San Francisco where they aired their documentaries made during their travels on television.

Originally published as a children's book of sorts, this story is fascinating for a reader of any age. With gorgeous cover art, a wonderful animal at its center, and a glimpse into the unique lives of 1930s-era explorers, any travel lover, bird buff, or history enthusiast will fall in love with this story of Raffles and his human companions. 

Important in recording early 20th-century life in the most remote and exotic locations, sadly Zetta and Carveth's motion pictures were lost to time, but their books, although harder to find these days, remain.

Published in 1941, this book is a rare first edition signed by Carveth with a small elephant drawing underneath his name. 

Photo of Zetta and Carveth Wells courtesy of The Sacramento Bee, April 24, 1935

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

• Signed first edition published in 1941
• 112 pages
• Illustrated throughout with images of Raffles by well-known German illustrator W. R. Lohse (1890-1969)
• Includes original dust jacket

{CONDITION}

In beautiful vintage condition. The dust jacket bears a bit of chipping along the top and bottom edge, but has been protected with a mylar cover to ensure that it remains completely intact. The inside is clean and bright with no spots or stains.