A baggy green cap worn by Sir Donald Bradman during Australia's 1947-48 series against India has sold for $535,900, including a buyer's premium, setting a new record for Bradman memorabilia. The cap, gifted to Indian cricketer Sriranga Wasudev Sohoni, was preserved by his family for 75 years before being auctioned by Lloyds Auctioneers and Valuers.
Immediate Action & Core Facts
The cap, inscribed with the names D.G. Bradman and S.W. Sohoni, was sold to an anonymous bidder and will be displayed in an Australian museum. The previous record for a Bradman baggy green was $479,700, set in 2024 for a sun-faded and insect-damaged cap from the same series.
Deeper Dive & Context
The Cap's Journey
The Sohoni family kept the cap under lock and key, allowing family members to view it only at age 16 for five minutes. Lee Hames, chief operating officer of Lloyds Auctioneers, noted the meticulous preservation: "That's over three generations under lock and key."
Bradman's Legacy
Widely regarded as the greatest batsman in history, Bradman averaged 99.94 across 52 Test matches. The 1947-48 series was his last on home soil, where he scored 715 runs in six innings, including three centuries. India, playing their first tour as an independent nation, lost the series 4-0.
Historical Significance
Bradman gifted the cap to Sohoni, an Indian all-rounder who played four Tests. The cap is one of 11 known Bradman baggy greens in existence and had never been publicly displayed before the auction. Sohoni, who died in 1993, was a key figure in early Indian cricket.
Market for Cricket Memorabilia
The sale underscores the enduring value of Bradman's legacy, with his items consistently fetching high prices. The previous record-holder, a cap from the same series, was sold in 2024 despite damage, highlighting collectors' willingness to pay for rare artifacts.