Preserved amazingly given its age, the notations on this bat indicate that it was signed at the First Test at Nottingham during the 1938 Ashes Tour of England by the Australian team.
Personally signed by Don Bradman, Stan McCabe, Bill O'Reilly, Ben Barnett, Lindsay Hassett, Jack Fingleton, Ernie McCormack, Chuck Fleetwood-Smith, Sid Barnes, Frank Ward, Merv Waite, Charles Walker, Jack Badcock, Arthur Chipperfield and Bill Brown, for Australia, and Wally Hammond, Denis Compton, Len Hutton, Norman Yardley, Hedley Verity, Bill Edrich, Les Ames, Eddie Paynter, Doug Wright, Charlie Barnett, and Reg Sinfield for England.
It is even signed by the Test Umpires (near the base of the bat) and by the Test scorers (top left of the bat).
The inscription at the top right of the back of the bat states "Warmest Regards Betty, Ben. 1938" and in the typical "ownership position" at top right, another Ben Barnett initial. It is thus highly possible that this William Gunn (now Gunn & Moore) bat was owned and then gifted by Australian Test cricketer Ben Barnett.
His career significantly interrupted by World War II (in which he served as a Sergeant), at the age of 45, he captained the Commonwealth XI team that toured India in 1953-54!
Purchased framed, it comes with a Perspex display case. Timber framing is possible - please request a quote.
International customers: Please contact us before purchasing for a custom shipping quote.
