One of the most celebrated collectibles in the world of cricket, the Don Bradman baggy green, has been sold for AU$460,000 (US$320,000) at a prestigious auction conducted on the Gold Coast of Australia. The cap is of great historical significance as it was worn by Sir Donald Bradman during India’s first Test tour as an independent nation.
Cap from India’s Maiden Post-Independence Series
The Don Bradman baggy green dates back to the 1947-48 Test series against India, which was Bradman’s last home series in international cricket.
After the series, Bradman presented the cap to Indian fast bowler Ranga Sohoni, who had the distinction of bowling India’s first ball in the post-colonial era. Sohoni may have played only in the first Test of the series and remained wicketless, but his place in history made the cap priceless.
Hidden for 75 Years Before Auction
Notably, the Don Bradman baggy green had been kept from public sight for over 75 years, until now, thanks to the Sohoni family who had kept it hidden away without ever putting it up for sale or display.
The sale was conducted by Lloyds Auctions in Queensland, with the company’s chief operating officer, Lee Hames, saying of the item, “It’s the holy grail of cricket”
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“”It has been hidden for 75 years, that’s over three generations under lock and key,” Hames said, highlighting the uniqueness and intrigue surrounding the cap.
Distinctive Features Enhance the Cap’s Value
The Don Bradman baggy green has the letters “D.G. Bradman” and “S.W. Sohoni” engraved on the inside, with “1947-48” embroidered below the Australian crest. This particular cap is one of only 11 known Bradman baggy greens, which was not unusual at the time as players were given a new cap for each series rather than retaining the same cap throughout their career.
Comparison With Other Record-Breaking Baggy Greens
The first baggy green of Bradman, which was dated 1928, had sold for AU$450,000 in 2020. This goes to show that the popularity of the memorabilia of the Australian legend is still in high demand.
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However, the record for the most expensive baggy green is still held by Shane Warne, whose cap was sold for AU$1,007,500 in the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal in the year 2020.
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