Invincicles signed bat + 1948 england team

[Tom12]

When my Grandpa's brother went to a Invincibles vs England test match in Leeds or something in 1948 (he was only 6 or 7), he won this raffle for a signed bat by both teams including the one the only Sir Donald Bradman. When I visited him in Adelaide a couple of months ago, he knew I was an avid memorabilia collector and gave it to me! I wasn't even aware he had it, until he told me. The signatures are kind of faded so they need to be brought up again from this machine. There is some woodworm bites through the wood which sucks and my Uncle never realised how much it was worth and he said he should of taken better care of it.

Does anybody know how much this bat would be worth once the signatures are clearly visible and the bat has had a little bit of treatment?

Give me your thoughts,
Tom12

 

[howzat]

Pictures may help mate

 

[Matt26]

Yep picture may help and honestly, I wouldn't do anything to the bat at all.

Cheers
Matt

 

[Tom12]

pics arent working..... can tell me how to post them?

 

[crows2010]

ImageShack® - Online Media Hosting

 

[Tom12]

Thanks heaps crows2010, here are the pics:

Imageshack - sl370368.jpg < the bat
Imageshack - sl370373.jpg < sid barnes sig (camera didnt take very good close ups)

come on people please give me a price!!

thanks,
tom12

 

[hornet]

Hi Tom12

I can try and help you out a little here as I too have a bat signed by both the Australian and English 1948 sides. Because these items are not commercial products as such and all vary slightly in some way they are hard to put a single value on. Then of course you need to factor in condition.

The best I can do is tell you about my bat and compare two others I have seen auctioned in the past two years.

I paid $3000 for my bat. It is signed by 12 English and 15 Australian players (Including all the big names, Bradman,Miller, Barnes etc). It is also signed by 65 county players of the era on the back of bat (In real terms however this would not add a lot of value to the bat in itself). The bat was owned by a county cricketer who's benefit year was 1948 and obtained all the signatures himself - in fact at Bradmans last test. A couple of the Test cricketers signatures have faded a little and the bat (like yours) has suffered with Borers in the past. Otherwise the bat is unmarked and pretty much like new with even the original paper label on the back.

I have seen a bat with less Test Cricketers (we are just talking 1948 here) and probably of lesser condition than mine go for $1500.

I have also seen a bat with a few more Test signatures than mine (this one had the full Aussie squad of 18) and in very good condition, also signed at Bradmans last, test go for $7500.

It really depends a lot on who wants to pay what.

I have some advice from The Bradman Museum on how you can look after the bat if you want me to pass it on.

 

[Tom12]

cool thanks for the info, so mine could go for anywhere between 1000 and 3000 because of its condition??

 

[hornet]

That sounds about right I would think.

Hold onto it and look after it mate - it's a nice little investment!

 

[bjs127]

TOM12: I'm not sure what machine you are talking about using to "fix" the signatures, but that would ruin the bat completely. If the signatures are badly faded there is absolutely no way to restore them unfortunately.

The only way to know what an item like this is worth is to contact an auction house (ie Leksi Auctions or Sothebys) to have it expertly assessed. Provenance is key to items such as these, and it seems you have that....however to be quoting a price of $1000-$3000 is a little optimistic if the signatures are barely visible.

Good item though and great story to go with it - would love to know what an expert assessment suggests it is worth!

 

[hornet]

Yes, it is all relative to condition and how "faded" they are.

I wouldn't touch the signatures either as you will remove some of the authenticity. Unless they pose structural problems I would not fill in the borer holes either.

You can contact The Bradman Museum you will find they are happy to help and give advice. Don't bother asking for a value though as they are a Museum and not a valuation service and value is relative to many factors.

I think the range I quote is reasonable. The bat prices I quote were actually sold by Leski's.

 

[bjs127]

Good advice there hornet....I think the price range you quote is reasonable, however I cannot make out 1 signature from the 2 photos he has provided, which is why i doubt this particular example will command the money you quoted.

 

[hornet]

You could well be right. With photo's it's hard to tell if it's the bat or the image quality of the photo itself. These things are never flattered by photo's.

 

[Tom12]

you guys are right the photos dont really help... what i described is really all the info I could give you.