Historic Bradman Baggy Green Fetches $460,000 at Auction, Destined for Australian Museum
A piece of cricketing history, a Baggy Green cap belonging to the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, has been sold at auction for an impressive $460,000. The sale, confirmed by Lloyds Auctions, ensures this iconic artefact will remain in Australia and be placed on public display in a museum, preserving a vital slice of the nation's sporting heritage.
A Cap of Immense Historical Significance
This particular Baggy Green is not just any piece of memorabilia. It was worn by Bradman during Australia's 1947-48 Test series against India, a series laden with historical weight. This was Bradman's final Test series on home soil before his retirement from Test cricket in 1948 at the age of 40. Furthermore, it marked India's first Test series since gaining independence in August 1947, adding a profound layer of post-colonial significance to the matches.
During this landmark series, Bradman demonstrated his unparalleled skill, being crowned the highest run-scorer with a monumental tally of 715 runs. His performance cemented his status, but the story of this specific cap involves a remarkable act of sportsmanship. Bradman entered the Indian team's changing rooms and personally gifted the Baggy Green to young Indian bowler Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni.
A 75-Year Journey from Mumbai to the Gold Coast
For the subsequent 75 years, the cap was meticulously preserved by Sohoni's family in their home in Mumbai, stored safely in a glass cabinet. Passed down through generations, it eventually came into the care of the former cricketer's granddaughter. The cap had never been publicly exhibited until it embarked on a tour of Australia prior to the auction.
The highly anticipated sale, dubbed for 'cricket's holy grail', took place on the Gold Coast. The successful bidder has chosen to remain anonymous, but their intention to keep the cap in Australia for public enjoyment has been warmly welcomed.
A Fitting Outcome for a National Icon
Lee Hames, Chief Operations Officer at Lloyds Auctions, expressed that the outcome was profoundly fitting. "This is a genuine piece of Australian cricket history that Sir Donald Bradman personally gifted and that has been preserved by the same family for more than 75 years," Mr Hames stated. "It is in remarkable condition, combined with Bradman's status as a national icon, which makes it extraordinarily rare to see an item like this enter the public domain. That it will remain in Australia and be publicly displayed is a fitting outcome."
Sir Donald Bradman is universally revered as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His Test career statistics are staggering: 6,996 runs across 52 Test matches, boasting a near-mythical batting average of 99.94.
Context of a Prized Collectible Market
This sale underscores the immense value placed on Bradman memorabilia. Notably, another of Bradman's Baggy Green caps from the same 1947-48 home series against India was sold at auction in December 2024. That cap fetched $390,000, with the final sale price, including buyer's premium, rising to $479,700. The latest $460,000 sale further highlights the enduring legacy and collectible prestige of artefacts associated with 'The Don'.
