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| THE MASKED GLOBETROTTER On January 1st 1908 Harry Bensley, a 31-year-old playboy, set off to walk round the world wearing a 4 �lb iron mask and pushing a pram. He had undertaken to attempt this feat for a wager of $100,000, and a strict set of rules had been laid down. He was to wear the mask at all times, set out with just �1 in his pocket and take nothing else with him but a change of underwear. He had to pass through a specified number of towns in Britain, and 125 towns in 18 other countries. For six years, until the outbreak of World War I, Harry Bensley pushed his pram across 12 countries, never once showing his face. During his journey he financed himself by selling picture postcards, one of which he sold to Edward VII for �5. |
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