A piece of cricketing history of immense significance is set to find a new owner. One of the rarest Baggy Greens ever worn by the legendary Sir Don Bradman has been listed for auction. The iconic cap, used by Bradman during the 1947-48 Test series against India, will go under the hammer on January 26, Australia Day. In a dramatic starting point, the auction listing begins at a mere $1, but expectations for the final price are sky-high.
The Provenance and Significance of the Cap
The auction is being conducted by Australia's Lloyds Auctions, which has verified the cap's authenticity with supporting historical documentation, describing it as a museum-grade piece. While no formal estimate has been set, the trajectory of recent sales provides a strong hint. A Baggy Green from Bradman's 1928 debut season was sold for A$450,000 in 2020. Given this precedent, experts speculate the final price for this 1947-48 series cap could potentially reach seven figures. For context, the costliest Baggy Green remains that of Shane Warne, which fetched A$1,007,500 in a charity sale.
At the time of reporting, an opening offer of $315,000 has already been placed. "This is a genuine piece of cricket history that Sir Donald Bradman personally gifted," said Lee Hames of Lloyds Auctions. "Its uninterrupted family ownership for 75 years and its direct link to 'The Don' make it one of the most important Bradman-related pieces to come to auction."
What Makes This 1947-48 Baggy Green So Special?
The cap's uniqueness stems from its extraordinary personal history. After the 1947-48 series, Bradman personally gifted the cap to Indian all-rounder Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni. It then remained with the Sohoni family for 75 years, completely away from the public eye, which adds to its exclusivity and rarity.
This series holds additional historical weight as it was Bradman's last Test series on Australian soil. During those five matches against India, The Don was in phenomenal form, amassing 715 runs, which included four centuries. One of these was a magnificent 201 from 296 balls at the Adelaide Oval in the fourth Test.
The cap itself bears a silent testimony to its journey. The inside label is inked with the names of both Sir Don Bradman and Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni, creating a permanent link between the two cricketers. It was manufactured by Farmer’s of Sydney, a company that ceased cap production in 1970, further enhancing its vintage value.
The Legacy of Sir Don Bradman in Numbers
The auction of this cap refocuses attention on Bradman's staggering statistical legacy, which remains unmatched. In a career spanning 52 Test matches, he scored 6,996 runs at an almost mythical average of 99.94. He hammered 29 Test centuries, with a career-best score of 334. This Baggy Green is not just fabric; it is a tangible connection to the era of a batsman whose numbers define sporting greatness.
The auction on Australia Day is more than a sale; it is a transfer of a sacred relic from cricket's golden age. Collectors and institutions worldwide are poised for a fierce bidding war to own a cap that symbolizes the end of Bradman's home dominance and a unique gesture of sportsmanship towards an Indian opponent.
