Author: (Phyfe, Hal). Wells, Carveth.
Title: An Original Hal Phyfe Photograph of the Explorer and Author Carveth Wells.
Description: Circa 1930. 1930. - sc A 14 inch high by 11 inch wide black & white gelatin silver photograph of the explorer Carveth Wells depicted in three-quarter profile from the waist up. Attired in a white shirt with rolled up sleeves, a pith helmet tilted at a rakish angle on his head, Carveth Wells glances over his right shoulder. The explorer's shadow is cast upon the white marbled background. The photographer's name "Hal Phyfe" is embossed in blind at bottom left and his credits are additionally stamped on the verso "This photograph must be credited to Hal Phyfe when published / 50 West 56" and the number "1188-C" is penned in black crayon. This original photograph was intended for publication as testified by editorial annotations and several crop marks penciled on the verso. The edges and corners are creased and there is some soiling to the margins with pinholes at the corners. There is a heavier horizontal crease along the bottom. A strong beautiful photograph from the estate of the lecture bureau manager James "Bim" Pond.

The world traveler, explorer, author and radio commentator Carveth Wells was one of the most famous lecturers on the circuit, nearly the equal in popularity to Richard Halliburton and Lowell Thomas. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he was also a member of the Circumnavigators Club, and the Adventurers and Explorers Clubs. As an engineer and railroad surveyor, he spent years in Malaysia and traveled the world. His books include: "Years in the Malay Jungle", "In Coldest Africa", "Let's Do The Mediterranean", "The Jungle Man and His Animals", etc. He was a popular radio broadcaster and documentary travel film-maker, even writing a book about the filming of his Cudahay-Massee expedition to the Ruwenzori.

Hal Phyfe (1892-1968), was born in Nice, France to American expatriates. Initially trained as a sculptor and painter in Europe, he enlisted in World War I, specializing in aerial photography. He opened a photography studio in 1926, building his reputation for his theatrical portraits and became the principal photographer for Florenz Ziegfield of Ziegfield Follies fame during 1930-31. He is famous for his dictum that no smiles were allowed during sittings. Good .

Keywords: TRAVEL; EXPLORATION; PHOTOGRAPHY; CARVETH WELLS; PORTRAIT; HAL PHYFE; PHOTOGRAPHER; ORIGINAL PHOTO; TRAVELER; AUTHOR; RADIO COMMENTATER; LECTURER; PITH HELMET; GELATIN SILVER; VINTAGE; EDITORIAL; NOTATIONS; YEARS IN THE MALAY JUNGLE; IN COLDEST AFRICA; HI

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