This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/17/2024
[BENSLEY, Harry 1876 or 1877 – 1956]. Walking Round the World Masked. [England]. Postmarked October 19, 1908. Real photo postcard bearing a full-figure portrait of Bensley wearing the headpiece from a suit of armor adorned with the sign “walking round the world,” and a shirt touting this project, standing next to a perambulator outfitted with promotional material related to the unconventional endeavor, behind which stands his minder in a matching shirt, and at lower right sits a sign proclaiming this to be the “biggest wager on record.” 5 ¼ x 3 ½”. Tiny spots to image.
Bensley, a British playboy, famously bet that he could circumnavigate the globe anonymously, his trip financed only by the sale of postcards. This unusual wager was backed by J. P. Morgan and Lord Lonsdale.