Strange Attack on the Night Mail on the Salisbury Road, A

c1920's-1930's non-interlocking wooden jigsaw puzzle, cut by Lady Beatrix Wilkinson for the Children's Union. The puzzle features an extraordinary news story from October 20th, 1816, which took place at Winterslow, near Salisbury. The Exeter Mail coach “Quicksilver” was on route to London when an escaped lioness attacked one of the lead horses! Evidently the terrified passengers and crew escaped to a nearby pub whilst the attack continued, the lioness finally being distracted and caught by its owner, from “Ballards-Collection of Wild Beasts”, aided by his mastiff dog. This travelling menagerie, which had stopped for the night on nearby Salisbury Plain, went on to purchase the injured horse and included it in their future show programme (see image)! In a wonderful piece of PR, the mail company went on to say that this extraordinary event delayed the arrival of the mail to its London destination by just 45minutes!

Artist: Unsigned
Date: c1920's-1930's
Brand: Wilkinson, Lady Beatrix
Material: Solid wood
Nationality: British-England
Pieces: 129
Size: 8" x 5 3/4"
Theme: Historical
Title: Strange Attack on the Night Mail on the Salisbury Road, A