Pictured above: Another one of Sir Donald Bradman’s caps (not the one going to auction)
A remarkable piece of cricket history — and a powerful slice of Adelaide’s sporting heritage — is set to go under the hammer, with a rare Baggy Green cap personally gifted by Sir Donald Bradman to a fellow Test cricketer heading to auction through Lloyds.
The cap, which has remained in the recipient’s family for more than 75 years across three generations, has never been publicly displayed or offered for sale. Fully authenticated and carrying impeccable provenance, bidding will open at just $1 and close on Australia Day, Monday 26 January 2026.
While Bradman was born in New South Wales, his story is deeply intertwined with Adelaide, the city he came to call home. Many of his most dominant performances were delivered in South Australian colours, thrilling crowds at Adelaide Oval, where his mastery of the game became part of local folklore.
It was during the latter stages of his extraordinary career — a time when he was closely associated with South Australian cricket — that Bradman personally handed this Baggy Green to a fellow Test player who shared the field with him. That quiet gesture, now preserved through generations, has transformed the cap into an artefact of rare personal and historical significance.
The actual hat, which is going to auction
Baggy Green caps from Bradman’s era are extraordinarily scarce. Players typically received a single cap at the start of each Test series, with only rare additional issues. Today, most surviving examples are held by museums or long-term private collectors, making this appearance on the open market exceptional.
Experts suggest the cap could fetch $1 million or more, reflecting Bradman’s unmatched legacy and the item’s clear, uninterrupted chain of ownership.
Bradman retired from Test cricket in 1948 with a batting average of 99.94, a record still regarded as one of the greatest achievements in world sport. Yet for many South Australians, his legacy goes beyond statistics. Adelaide was where he led, mentored, and ultimately chose to spend his later life — a bond commemorated through statues, honours, and the enduring reverence of Adelaide Oval.
For collectors and cricket lovers alike, this auction represents more than a rare sporting collectible. It’s a chance to own a tangible piece of Adelaide’s adopted son — a symbol of a city’s lasting connection to the greatest name the game has ever known.
The Baggy Green will be offered at public auction by Lloyds, with strong interest expected from private collectors, museums, institutions, and cricket enthusiasts in Australia and around the world.
For further information and to register to bid, visit lloydsauctions.com.au or to browse the auction listing click here.
