MELBOURNE, Australia, January 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the largest collections of Bradman memorabilia to be sold in Australia will go under the hammer in February as part of a major sale of Test cricket and general sporting memorabilia by auction house Mossgreen.
This is also one of the largest sales of cricket and sporting memorabilia that Mossgreen has mounted since its merger in July 2013 with Bradman and sports auction specialist Leski Auctions.
Although none of the Bradman lots are as significant as his 1948 'Invincibles' match-used bat or his 'baggy green' Test Cap from the same tour of England, both of which were auctioned by Leski, the breadth of lots on offer suggests that fascination for Test cricket's greater player is at an all-time high.
Many of the lots of Bradman memorabilia have pre-sale estimates that auctioneer Charles Leski believes will be attractive to first-time Bradman collectors or those wanting to add to their existing collections.
These include signed limited edition and framed prints of Bradman with estimates starting from $100, and a bronze statuette of Bradman at Lords in 1930 by sculptor Tanya Bartlett with a pre-sale estimate of AUD$400 - $500, to a large colour print 'A Tribute To The Don 1908 - 2001' by Brian Clinton and
signed by Bradman, showing the cricketer playing his classic cover drive at Headingly in 1930 when he made a record-breaking innings of 334. This has a pre-sale estimate of AUD$1,500 - $2,000.
"We have close to 90 lots in which Sir Donald Bradman is featured," says Charles Leski. "These vary from limited edition prints and signed cricket bats to posters, commemorative mirrors and Toby jugs.
"While much has changed in cricket in recent years, such as the introduction of 20-20 cricket and sponsor messages on players' clothing, Bradman's influence on the game is as potent today as it ever was."
Lot 164 (bronze statuette) has a pre-sale estimate of AUD$400 - $500. (NB: Image available at
http://www.mossgreen.com.au/images/lot/9671/96710_2.jpg)
The lot will be offered for sale by Mossgreen in Melbourne on Tuesday, February 3rd at 10.00am.
Single-owner auction specialist, Mossgreen, and Leski Auctions, one of Australia's largest auctioneers of coins, stamps and sporting memorabilia merged in July 2013.
Leski Auctions, established in 1973, previously sold many significant collections, including those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke, Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton. Leski Auctions also sold more 'baggy green' caps than any other auction house in the world, sold the Phar Lap horse tonic recipe book for almost $38,000 and achieved a world record price for a Don Bradman cricket bat.
Founded in 2004, Mossgreen is Australia's first combined Auction House and Art Gallery - a unique business specialising in the sale of single-owner collections at auction and the promotion of a select group of Australian artists.
Mossgreen is now Australia's largest multi-department auction house, offering expertise and auctions in Fine Australian & International Art, Australian Indigenous Art, Asian Art, Jewellery, Luxury Accessories, European Decorative Arts, Stamps & Coins, Sporting Memorabilia and Collectables.
Mossgreen is based in Melbourne, with representative offices in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney.
Charles Leski is a Director at Mossgreen and a registered valuer for the Cultural Gifts Program through the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.
Mossgreen offers online bidding through 'Mossgreen live(TM)'. Visit www.mossgreen.com.au for more details.
Issued by:
Charles Leski, Mossgreen
t. 61 (0) 3 9508 8888
charles.leski@mossgreen.com.au
Michael Krape, Michael Krape Consulting
m.61 (0) 403 135 88
michaelkrape@krape.com.au
Mossgreen Auctions Monday-Friday 10am-5pm
Mossgreen Gallery Monday-Friday 10am-5.30pm & Saturday-Sunday 10am-5pm
Mossgreen Tearooms Monday-Sunday 8am-5pm
926-930 High Street, Armadale VIC 3143
t. 03 9508 8888 | e. mail@mossgreen.com.au
Sydney
Martyn Cook Antiques, 98 Barcom Avenue, Rushcutters Bay NSW 2011
www.mossgreen.com.au
