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The Most Important Piece Of Sporting Memorabilia Ever Offered…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
15-Dec-2008
Lot No.
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Description:
The Most Important Piece Of Sporting Memorabilia Ever Offered At Auction In Australia - Don Bradman's Australian 'Baggy Green' 1948 'Invincibles' Test Cap, green wool, embroidered Coat-of-Arms & '1948' on front, endorsed on Farmers label 'D.G.Bradman'. Vg condition. With a note from Bradman 'This memo is to certify that on his twelfth birthday I gave Richard Robins one of my Aust. x I caps. If he decides to sell it the auctioneers are hereby assured it is genuine'. Provenance: Ex Richard Robins, Sir Donald Bradman's godson. Richard V.C. Robins (1935- ), played 60 First-Class matches for Middlesex & Mcc 1953-62. His father, R.W.V. Robins played 19 Tests for England 1929-37. The cap has been on display at the National Sports Museum at the Mcg since September 2003, following its purchase by private treaty from Robins, in England. While the museum was being re-built the cap was displayed at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney and was the centre-piece of the Travelex Cricket Roadshow. It has never been offered for public auction in Australia or England, and has a current Australian Cultural Heritage Export Permit. The 'Holy Grail' - the last Test cap worn by the game's greatest player on the only undefeated Ashes tour by an Australian team. Although cricketing adversaries, Bradman described the English Test all-rounder, R.W.V. Robins as his 'best pal in the cricket world'. He stayed with the family many times, while in England. Young Richard Robins recalled a visit by Bradman to his parents' home in 1953: 'I was a mad keen Australian cricket supporter, mad keen, and I didn't have an Australian cap. All I had was a green cap that my father had swapped with a South African player.......and I cut the Australian badge out of the tour itinerary and stuck the badge on the front of the cap. When Don saw this he said, 'Why are you supporting Australia?'. I said, 'I've always supported Australia, Uncle Don.' At that time England was playing Australia at Manchester. It was that famous Test match where Jim Laker got 19 wickets, and I couldn't stand the fact that Australia was beaten so badly. So I went into the garden where I'd rigged up my own pitch....and did my own bowling with my own commentary. Did my own match. And after the match......apparently I walked into the drawing room where Don and my father were sitting and I said, 'Don't worry about the match that's on television because Australia's just won in the garden with no trouble at all and I got all 10 wickets.' He thought that was the funniest thing because I came in with this [home-made] cap on he said, 'Hey, you can't have that. You've got to have a proper Australian cap' and so......the following year he sent me his 1948 touring cap.' The Cap is accompanied by several items of correspondence from Don Bradman to his godson, Richard Robins and his father: - 2nd Feb. 1948 4-page hand-written autograph letter, signed 'Goldie', stating he is about to announce publicly that he is available to play England in 1948. Says only sentiment is making him go, and that Robbie's encouragement had played a big part in his decision. Aside from family concerns he is taking a big business risk. Says he is not the player he was and is getting his runs mainly by experience; how he got ill last time he travelled; anxious that this tour will be the greatest success of all time. - 20th May 1952 2-page typed letter, signed 'Don', requesting he contact the Editor of Wisden to clarify how batting averages are compiled in their Almanack. Also discusses a proposed change to the rules regarding fast bowling. - 6th Nov.1953 2-page typed letter, signed 'Don', comments on retirements of Lindsay Hassett & Doug Ring; appointment of Keith Miller as captain of Nsw over Arthur Morris; calls Barnes & Miller unstable chaps. - 16th Nov.1956 3-page hand-written aerogramme, signed 'Goldie', hoping his cap arrived in time for Richard's birthday. Wonderful news of Keith Miller's retirement. Craig made captain of Nsw over Benaud,
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified