Bradman's 'Hat' and 'Cane' a Class Act

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sir Donald Bradman was known as a dour man of few words. Hardly the vaudevillian type. However, two lots being offered by Mossgreen, while not exactly reflective of a life in theatre represent the calling of the world's greatest batsman on the sporting stage.

Later this month, Melbourne-based Mossgreen will auction Bradman's 'top hat' (his 1934 'Baggy Green' Test cap) and 'cane' (his match-used bat from the 1930 Ashes).

A Bradman 'baggy green' is arguably the single most valued item of sporting memorabilia in any jurisdiction.  He presumably wore this cap during the Headingley Stadium Test in Leeds when he scored 304, his second highest Test century.

This cap features the Australian coat-of-arms and '1934' on the front with the Farmers label inside and endorsed 'D.G.Bradman'. The cap is in good match-worn condition.  The cap was originally given to his golf coach Jack Bahen who passed it to this daughter Gretta Richardson. In 1993 it was loaned to the Mortlock Library in South Australia where it was displayed with other Bradman cricket memorabilia.

The lot includes a 1993 letter signed by Bradman to Gretta regarding the cap, and a copy of a press clipping about the cap and the Sir Donald Bradman exhibition in Adelaide. Also included is a DVD with 1950s footage of Bradman and Bahen playing golf at Royal Adelaide.  The cap was the centrepiece for the Bradman Exhibition at the State Library of South Australia from 2003-2008.

Also up for auction is a full size 'Sykes - Don Bradman - World's Record' cricket bat, with hand-painted title 'Final Test Match, 1930, England, Australia'.  The bat features 26 signatures from both teams, including J.B.Hobbs, R.E.S.Wyatt, Herbert Sutcliffe, Bill Woodfull, Bill Ponsford, Don Bradman and Archie Jackson. Bradman's signature appears in the ownership position on the upper reverse shoulder. The bat was used by Bradman in the 1st Test at Nottingham on June 13-16, where he scored 8 and 131.

"The further away we get from the classic game of cricket (following the rise in popularity of one-day and 20-20 cricket), the more interest we see in the most classic of all cricketers, Don Bradman," says Charles Leski, Deputy Chairman of Mossgreen.  "His impact on cricket is extraordinary, but his influence on Australia's relationship with other cricket-playing countries, particularly England, has no peer in the history of sport."

Lot 361 has a pre-sale estimate of $150,000 - $200,000. (NB: Image available at http://www.mossgreen.com.au/images/lot/1254/125471_2.jpg).

The lot will be offered for sale by Mossgreen in Melbourne on Tuesday, 19 May at 2.00pm.

Founded in 2004, Mossgreen is Australia's first combined Auction House and Art Gallery - a unique business specialising in the sale of single-owner collections at auction and the promotion of a select group of Australian artists.

Mossgreen is now Australia's largest multi-department auction house with annual sales of over AUD$30 million.

Renowned for its expertise and success in significant single-owner collection auctions, Mossgreen also offers expertise and auctions in Fine Australian & International Art, Australian Indigenous Art, Asian Art, Jewellery, Luxury Accessories, European Decorative Arts, Stamps & Coins, Sporting Memorabilia, Classic and Vintage Cars and Collectibles.

Mossgreen Tearooms is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and high tea (8am to 5pm).

Based in Melbourne, Mossgreen also has representative offices in Sydney, Brisbane and London.

Mossgreen offers online bidding via 'Mossgreen live™'. Visit www.mossgreen.com.au for more details.

Issued by:

Harry Glenn
Antiques & Decorative Arts Department
Tel: +61-(0)3-9508-8888
gary.watson@mossgreen.com.au

Nicole Kenning
Marketing & Communications Manager
Tel: +61-(0)3-9508-8888
Mobile: +61-(0)424-186-377
nicole.kenning@mossgreen.com.au

Mossgreen Auctions Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
Mossgreen Gallery Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm & Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Mossgreen Tearooms Monday-Sunday 8am-5pm
926-930 High Street, Armadale VIC 3143
Tel: +61(0)3-9508-8888
Email: mail@mossgreen.com.au
Sydney
Martyn Cook Galleries, 98 Barcom Avenue, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
www.mossgreen.com.au

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