Bradman cap sets record: auctioneer

Sir Donald Bradman's 1947 baggy green cap apparently set a new record in Melbourne yesterday, but auctioneer Michael Ludgrove is not revealing the price.

The cap, from the 1947-48 Test series against India, is the first of The Don's baggy greens to be offered at public auction.

However, it did not go under the hammer: it was sold before the auction for an undisclosed price, Mr Ludgrove said.

"It sold for a record figure which has to remain undisclosed at this stage," Mr Ludgrove said.

"It exceeded a Bradman sculpture which previously sold for $180,000, while baggy greens usually fetch between $30,000 to $40,000.

"A suitable offer was made before the auction which was acceptable to the vendor and acting on his instructions we withdrew it.

"I can say that it is a record figure for any item of cricket memorabilia or any baggy green," he said.

The bid was made by a successful Sydney businessman aged under 40, he said.

The cap was given to India's team manager Pankaj Gupta by Sir Donald in 1948 after Australia played India at the Adelaide Oval.

It has been handed down to different owners since.

The vendor, who wished to remain anonymous, lives in London.

A life-size bronze sculpture of Bradman's cover drive, expected to reach between $100,000 and $200,000 was passed in at $95,000, as was the bat wielded by Sir Garfield Sobers when he smashed six sixes in a six-ball over in 1968.

The bat was expected to fetch between $200,000 to $300,000 but bidding ceased at $150,000.

Other lots included the baggy green cap of Neil Harvey from the 1956 Ashes series ($15,000), a signed photograph of bushranger Ned Kelly in a boxing pose ($30,000) and ornithologist John Gould's eight volume Birds of Australia, which sold for $260,000.

An auction of the images and historical press photograph collections of Miller, Sam Loxton, Bill Johnston and Lindsay Hassett scheduled for tomorrow (Monday) has been cancelled following their pre-sale for $75,000, Mr Ludgrove said.

They are now owned by a Melbourne collector.