Sir Donald Bradman's 1947-48 Baggy Green Smashes Auction Record at $535,900
A baggy green cap worn by Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman during the 1947-48 series against India has been sold at auction for a total of $535,900. This sale sets a new record for a cap worn by Bradman. The transaction included a hammer price of $460,000 and an additional 16.5% buyer's premium. Acquired by an anonymous buyer at a Gold Coast auction, the cap is slated for display at an Australian museum.
Record-Breaking Sale Details
The auction was conducted by Lloyds Auctions. The final sale price of $535,900, which incorporated a $75,900 buyer's premium, surpassed the previous record for a Bradman cap, which was $479,700 for a cap sold earlier in 2024 from the same 1947/48 series.
Lee Hames, chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers, previously described the cap as a "holy grail of cricket" and stated that the gifting recipient's "dying wish was to have the cap return to Australian shores."
A spokesperson for Lloyds Auctions confirmed the cap would remain in Australia for public exhibition.
The Cap's Storied History
Sir Donald Bradman wore this particular cap during his final home Test series in 1947-48. He subsequently gifted it to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni. The cap remained in Sohoni's family for approximately 75 years and had not been publicly exhibited prior to the sale. Sohoni passed away in 1993 at the age of 75.
The cap features the names "D.G. Bradman" and "S.W. Sohoni" inscribed on its interior. It is also embroidered with the Australian cricket coat of arms and the dates "1947-48" underneath. The item was reported to be in good condition.
Significance of the 1947-48 Series
The 1947-48 series was significant as it marked India's inaugural Test tour of Australia as an independent nation. Australia won the series 4-0, with one match drawn. During this series, Bradman scored 715 runs, achieving his 100th first-class century. He retired in 1948 with a career Test batting average of 99.94 from 52 matches.
Historical Baggy Green Sales
Historically, cricketers from Bradman's era were issued a different baggy green cap for each series, unlike the current practice where a single cap is awarded upon a player's Test debut. There are 11 known Bradman baggy green caps in existence.
- Bradman's first cap, from his 1928 debut season, sold for $450,000 in 2020.
- The baggy green he wore during his final tour to England in 1948 sold for $425,000 in 2003 and was resold for approximately $400,000 in 2008.
- In 2024, a "sun faded and worn" Bradman baggy green cap sold for $479,700.
- Separately in 2024, an "sun-faded and insect-damaged" Bradman cap was sold for $311,000.
- The record price for any baggy green cap is $1,007,500, set in 2020 by Shane Warne's cap, which was auctioned for a bushfire appeal.