A historic piece of cricketing memorabilia, a baggy green cap worn by the legendary Australian batsman Sir Donald Bradman, has been sold at auction for an impressive $460,000. The cap, which Bradman donned during the 1947-48 Test series against India, represents his final home series before retiring from the sport with an unparalleled career batting average of 99.94.
The Story Behind the Cap
This particular baggy green holds a unique story of international camaraderie. Bradman personally gifted the cap to Indian cricketer SW Sohoni during that historic 1947-48 series. For generations, the cap remained within the Sohoni family, carefully preserved and never displayed to the public. It was described as having been "hidden for 75 years" under lock and key, with family members only permitted to view it for five minutes upon reaching the age of sixteen.
Auction Details and Significance
The auction took place on Monday afternoon on the Gold Coast, conducted by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers. Bidding commenced at just $1, attracting significant interest from collectors across Australia, India, and the United Kingdom. The final hammer price reached $460,000, with an additional 16.5% buyer's premium to be applied.
Lee Hames, Chief Operating Officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, hailed the item as the "holy grail of cricket." He revealed that Sohoni's dying wish was for the cap to return to Australian soil. Hames emphasised the cap's historical importance, stating, "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."
Historical Context and Inscriptions
The 1947-48 series marked a significant moment in cricket history, as it was India's first Test tour of Australia as an independent nation. Australia dominated the series, winning 4–0 with one match drawn. The cap itself is a tangible link to this post-World War II revival of international cricket.
Inside the cap, the names "D.G. Bradman" and "S.W. Sohoni" are inscribed, a permanent testament to the personal connection between the two players. The baggy green features the Australian cricket coat of arms with "1947-48" embroidered beneath it.
Future of the Cap and Market Context
A spokesperson for Lloyds Auctions confirmed that the cap will remain in Australia and is destined for display at a prominent museum, ensuring the public can finally view this long-hidden treasure.
This sale adds to the notable history of Bradman memorabilia at auction. There are only 11 known Bradman baggy greens in existence. His first cap from his 1928 debut season sold for $450,000 in 2020, while the cap from his final 1948 tour to England fetched $425,000 in 2003. In 2024, another of his "sun faded and worn" baggy greens set a record for a Bradman cap at $479,700. However, the overall record price for a baggy green belongs to Shane Warne, whose cap raised over $1 million for charity in 2020.
The auction description poignantly captured the cap's essence, noting it "links you to Don Bradman's invincible era and a memorable exchange with the Indian squad," a cherished item finally stepping out from private hands into the light of public history.
