Lot 165

Sir Donald Bradman (1908–2001), worn by him in the Fourth Test of the 1948 Ashes series, Headingley, Leeds, 22–27 July, and retained by him thereafter
Anthony (Tony) Baer (1938–2005), Melbourne, to whom gifted by Sir Donald in 1972 accompanied by the letter included in the present lot
The Dennis Lillee Testimonial Dinner, Sydney, 4 February, 1982, lot 8 of the auction held at the dinner, apparently donated by Tony Baer, purchased by G.E. Cullen, Sydney
By descent to the vendor

Exceptionally rare, this is believed to be one of only five pairs of Donald Bradman's match-worn batting gloves traced, and possibly the only pair in private hands with known Ashes provenance and association with a century-making innings, and a most historic one at that.

As Bradman confirmed in the 1972 letter included in this lot, these gloves were worn by him in the legendary Fourth Test of the 1948 Ashes series, played at Headingley. Before the tour, Bradman, captain of the Australian team and on his final international tour, had expressed his aim that Australia prevail undefeated throughout the tour. Australia won the first two Tests and the third was drawn. In the Fourth Test, England's declaration in its second innings early on the fifth day set Australia a target for victory of 404 runs in short time. Australia succeeded with fifteen minutes left to play, setting a record for the highest victorious run chase that stood until 1976. Bradman's contribution of 183 (not out) to the total was his twenty-ninth and last Test century.

With Australia's victory in the Fifth Test three weeks later, together with its wins and draws in the tour's other first class matches, Bradman's pre-tour aim was achieved, making his 1948 team the only Test match team before or since to play an entire tour of England without losing a match, a feat for which it was quickly given its lasting nickname 'The Invincibles'.

Tony Baer, to whom Bradman presented the gloves in 1972, was an important collector of a wide range of artefacts and material relating to the history of cricket. The Melbourne Cricket Club Museum was founded on his donation of a large part of his collection, some 1,200 objects, to the Melbourne Cricket Club in the late 1960s.