Don Bradman's Historic Baggy Green Sells for $460,000 at Gold Coast Auction
A baggy green cap worn by the legendary Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman has been sold for an impressive $460,000 to an anonymous buyer at a Gold Coast auction. The cap, which Bradman wore during the 1947-48 series against India, represents his final home Test series before retiring in 1948 with a career batting average of 99.94, cementing his status as cricket's greatest batter.
A Gift Preserved for Generations
Bradman personally gifted the cap to Indian cricketer SW Sohoni during that historic series, and it remained with the Sohoni family for generations, never being exhibited publicly. The cap had been "hidden for 75 years", according to auction officials, passed down through three generations under strict family custody.
Lee Hames, the chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, described the item as the "holy grail of cricket" before bidding commenced. He revealed that Sohoni's "dying wish was to have the cap return to Australian shores", a wish now fulfilled through this significant sale.
Remarkable Preservation and Historical Significance
The cap's interior bears the inscribed names "D.G. Bradman" and "S.W. Sohoni", providing tangible evidence of its provenance. Remarkably preserved, the baggy green features the Australian cricket coat of arms with "1947-48" embroidered underneath, representing a pivotal moment in cricket history.
This series marked India's first Test tour of Australia as an independent nation, with Australia dominating 4-0 with one match drawn. The auction description noted that the cap "links you to Don Bradman's invincible era and a memorable exchange with the Indian squad", highlighting its significance in the post-World War II revival of international cricket.
Auction Dynamics and Historical Context
Bidding for this cricket treasure began at just $1, attracting significant interest from buyers in person and online across Australia, India, and the United Kingdom. The final hammer price of $460,000 came before the addition of a 16.5% buyer's premium, reflecting the item's extraordinary historical value.
Hames emphasized Bradman's enduring legacy, stating he remains "one of Australia's defining national figures". He noted that "a baggy green he personally gifted, carefully preserved by the same family for 75 years and still in remarkable condition, is a piece of history with genuine national importance and one rarely seen outside private hands."
The Rarity of Bradman Memorabilia
Only 11 known Bradman baggy greens exist today, reflecting an era when Test cricketers wore different caps for each series, unlike modern Australian players. This particular cap's sale continues a pattern of high-value transactions for Bradman memorabilia:
- Bradman's first cap from his 1928 debut season sold for $450,000 in 2020
- The baggy green he wore on his final tour to England in 1948 fetched $425,000 in 2003, later resold for approximately $400,000 in 2008
- In 2024, another "sun faded and worn" Bradman baggy green sold for $479,700, setting a record high for his caps
The overall record for a baggy green remains with Shane Warne's cap, which raised $1,007,500 for the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal in 2020.
Future Display and Cultural Significance
A spokesperson for Lloyds Auctions confirmed that the cap will now remain in Australia and "will be put on display at a prominent museum", ensuring this piece of cricket history becomes accessible to the public. The sale represents not just a financial transaction but the preservation of sporting heritage, connecting contemporary audiences with one of cricket's most iconic figures through an artifact that bridges nations and generations.
