An Australian sports memorabilia auction was highlighted yesterday (December 18) by the sale of a Don Bradman game-used bat.
The bat was signed "Don Bradman/Private" on its reverse and sold for $17,827.
 Prime Minister John Howard once described Bradman as the greatest living Australian |
The bat at auction was used by Bradman during the 1931/1932 Australia v South Africa test series, in which he scored 806 runs with a high score of 299 not out and an average of 201.5. It was sold together with a photocopy of the letter of authenticity from Sir Don, which reads:
"You are lucky enough to have one of my old bats. The use of the word 'private' on the back was merely to indicate that it was my personal bat to distinguish it from the team bats. I apparently used it against the South Africans in 1932".
Bradman is widely recognised as the greatest test batsman in the history of cricket, rising to become an integral part of the Australian cricket team in just over two years. His 20 year career saw numerous records, with former Australian captain Bill Woodfull describing him as "worth three batsmen to Australia."
Another of Bradman's bats was sold shortly after his death by Christie's for $20,955 in 2002, displaying the appeal of the legendary batsman in the collectibles market. The current world record for Bradman memorabilia is held by his first test bat, which sold for $145,000 in 2008.
Learn more Bradman and cricket collectibles here.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb range of sporting autographs for sale, each of which will make a great Christmas gift. See more of our exciting Christmas collectibles.
