January 28, 1929 - Autographed Sykes Bat Ad
Sir Donald Bradman
$52.5K US
Don Bradman's dominating feats in his sport have led many to consider him the greatest sportsperson in history. His career batting average of 99.94 is akin to Babe Ruth hitting 2000 homeruns instead of 714, Tom Brady throwing 5 touchdowns or Michael Jordan scoring 50 points per game as a career average. In a brief span of six months Bradman at the age of only 21 would stun everyone in cricket by setting the world record 452 for first-class innings which stood for 29 years and 334 in Test cricket that would stand for 73 years.
William Sykes & Son, Ltd. was already well known as a premier cricket bat manufacturer and had several other athlete signature bats in their repertoire when they approached 20-year-old Don Bradman in January 1929. Bradman used an unprepared Sykes bat playing for NSW, when he faced the Victoria team during a Shield game on Thursday the 24th and Friday the 25th of 1929, batting a brilliant 340 not out in just 488 minutes. It was the first triple century of the six in his career and the highest score ever at the time and by anyone under the age of 21, a record that stood for another 45 years.
He never used that bat again; Sykes kept it as a souvenir on display at their factory headquarters.
The performance sealed the deal for Sykes and Bradman and during a Saturday rest day and Sunday the 27th, Sykes produced the promotional card shown above referencing the previous Friday, Victoria, 340 not out play on the back.
Don Bradman signed his first Sykes Signature bat contract and this card was signed by Bradman, dated Monday 28 – 1 – 29 and was given to the contract agent, George Sutton from Adelaide and stamped by the agency on the back. Since none of the signature bats were in production at the time and given the date, this card is the first William Sykes promotional ad ever signed by Don Bradman, a museum grade historical item.
As part of the Sykes Signature bat contract, produced, signed and dated during the three days of Sykes bat agreement this is one of the rarest items ever signed by Sir Don Bradman, the greatest cricketer in history.
There are some great milestone memorabilia items for Sir Don Bradman;
1928 Ashes, Duke & Son - Warren Bardsley first Test bat $90,250
1929 William Sykes Signature bat first promotional ad, signed and dated
prior to breaking the First-Class Innings (452) and Test (334) world records. $52,500
1934 Ashes, William Sykes Signature bat. $174,250
1948 Ashes Baggy Green cap. $311,000
Open Offer $52,500 US
