Around the world in an iron mask
An extraordinary postcard of a man who for a wager of 21, 000 pounds, walked around the world. Harry Bensley alledged to have pushed his perambulator all around the globe wearing this mask. He told reporters: "He (the mysterious American who offered the wager) declared that no Englishman would walk around the world masked and pushing a perambulator. After hearing the conditions, I at once made up my mind to accept the wager myself." It emerged that the bet had been laid by John Pierpont (J. P.) Morgan and Hugh Cecil Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale. The pair sent an American minder to ensure that Bensley, then 31, abided by the rules. Great suspicion remains that Bensley was a hoaxster and prankster of the highest order, even through he did re-appear after six years claiming to have completed his remarkable journey
