Røde Founder Peter Freedman Buys Bradman’s First Baggy Green

In 1959, Sir Donald Bradman gifted the baggy green to his neighbour, Peter Dunham, whose house backed onto the Bradman’s family home on the Parade in Kensington Gardens. The baggy green has been on loan to the State Library of South Australia since 2003 and has been authenticated by Mr Barry Gibbs (former manager of the State Library of South Australia’s Bradman Collection).

Mr Freedman’s acquisition of the baggy green joins a list of recent philanthropic activities, including the purchase of Kurt Cobain’s 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic guitar for a A$9 million. Plans are currently in place to exhibit the guitar extensively around the world, starting in Australia. Similarly, Mr Freedman plans to tour the baggy green around the country and share it with local cricketing communities.

“Sir Don Bradman is an Aussie legend,” says Mr Freedman. “Not only as one of our greatest talents on the sporting field and one of the most revered athletes of all time, but as an icon of Australian fortitude and resilience.”

“All too often, memorabilia such as this ends up spending its life on the wall of some board room or in some basement bar of a well-heeled sports fanatic. I want as many people to enjoy it as possible. I have some exciting plans for the baggy green that will see it travel the country and shared with sports fans and cricketing communities,” says Mr Freedman.

Pickles Executive Manager, Mr Gavin Dempsey, who has overseen the auction says ensuring the baggy green is shared with the community is the best possible outcome.

“We’re thrilled the Australian people can get close to this iconic piece of sporting memorabilia and we thank Mr Freedman for facilitating an ongoing appreciation of Sir Donald Bradman’s achievements.”

Arrangements are currently underway for the tour of the baggy green, with the first events set to take place in early 2021.

Sir Donald Bradman’s 1928 baggy green was sold under instructions from Mr Nick Cooper from Oracle Insolvency Services, Trustee for the Bankrupt Estate of Mr Peter Mark Dunham.