Sold at a record price: Bradman’s baggy green cap

In a historic moment for cricket memorabilia, an iconic baggy green cap once worn by Sir Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman in the sport’s history, has been sold at auction for a staggering USD 460,000. The auction, conducted by Lloyds Auctions to coincide with Australia Day, attracted global attention from collectors and cricket enthusiasts alike.

The identity of the winning bidder remains undisclosed, though organisers confirmed that the cap will be loaned to a major Australian museum, ensuring that the public will have the opportunity to admire this extraordinary piece of cricketing history.

This particular cap holds a special provenance: it was personally gifted by Bradman to Indian Test cricketer S. W. Sohoni. The Sohoni family has meticulously preserved the cap for over 75 years, spanning three generations, making it a rare survivor of cricket’s golden era. Until now, it had never been publicly displayed or offered for sale. Experts suggest that its remarkable condition was a key factor behind the record-breaking price.

Baggy green caps from Bradman’s era are exceedingly rare. Most examples from the period are preserved in museums or held in private collections, often as cherished mementoes of cricketing history. The auction of this particular cap thus represents a unique opportunity for collectors and historians alike.

Sir Donald Bradman remains a singular figure in cricket. He retired from Test cricket in 1948 with an astonishing career batting average of 99.94, a record that continues to stand unbroken to this day. Famously, in his final Test innings at The Oval, London, Bradman was dismissed for a duck on the second ball, narrowly missing a perfect average of 100—a moment that has become the stuff of cricketing legend.

The auction not only highlights the enduring global fascination with Bradman but also underscores the value placed on memorabilia that carries a direct connection to cricket’s most illustrious figures.

Key Details of the Auctioned Cap

This record-setting sale reinforces Sir Donald Bradman’s lasting legacy, not just as a cricketing legend, but as a symbol of sporting excellence cherished across generations.