Guide to the Sir Donald Bradman Scrap albums.
MS 7035
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Donald Bradman
- Title
- Sir Donald Bradman Scrap albums.
- Date Range
- 1925 - 1950
- Collection Number
- MS 7035
- Extent
- 4.0 metres (52 Volumes)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Contents
Collection of 52 scrapbooks specially bound and inscribed. The scrapbooks consist of news clippings, memos, invitations, photographs, telegrams and letters relating to Sir Donald Bradman's career, and include material relating to tours both at home and overseas, the 'bodyline' tour, his knighthood and his publications.
Conditions Governing Access
Please refer to the collection's catalogue record (http://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn2901137) for the access conditions.
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Scrapbooks of Donald Bradman, National Library of Australia, MS 7035, [item number]'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
During the late 1950's Mr. Hedley Brideson whilst Chief Librarian at the Public Library of South Australia (later the State Library) managed to convince Sir Donald Bradman that the records of his sporting and other achievements should for posterity be properly collated and documented.
At that time the press cuttings and other material was housed in boxes together with miscellaneous scrap books, most of which had been assembled and later presented to Sir Donald by cricket enthusiasts. Sir Donald well realised that the sorting of and consolidation would prove a daunting task and it was for this reason that it was some years before he finally agreed to allow the project to proceed.
The Special Collections Division of the Public Library of South Australia and in particular Mrs. Jill Gauvin commenced work on the project in 1968 and finished in 1975 with Mrs. Gauvin working fulltime with some additional assistance, but most importantly helped on an average at least 3 afternoons a week by Sir Donald himself.
The end result was two sets of "scrap books" each comprising 52 volumes. The State Library has in its possession one set and Sir Donald the other.
It is important to note that Sir Donald's set contains a vast amount of original material in the form of, letters, telegrams, invitations, menus and other personal items, whereas the Library only has photographed copies of these items. A consolidated record of the career of Donald Bradman known as "The Don Bradman Scrap books", 52 volumes containing much original material in the form of letters, telegrams, invitations, menus, etc.
Note: the volume descriptions were prepared by Sir Donald Bradman.
Item Descriptions
Class MS 7035. Original Consignment
Scrapbook (Item 1)
Traces career from age 17. Photo of Bowral home and cricket ground. Cuttings on first score of 300. Official invitation to practise in Sydney and developments leading to State selection. Interesting photos and letters. Photo with Charles Bannerman, the first man to make a century in test cricket.
Tour of Western N.S.W. with "The Bohemians", including Arthur Mailey and Jim Bancks (creater of "Ginger Megs"). Return to Bowral for opening of new turf wicket and official presentation from citizens.
End of 1927/1928 season.
Scrapbook (Item 2)
Deals with matches in 1928/1929 leading to selection for Australia in that season's tests. Photo of 1928/1929 M.C.C. touring team. Official letter notifying of test selection. Lots of telegrams. Letter from the only male issue surviving W.L. Murdoch's family and letter from Secretary N.S.W.C.A. congratulating me on breaking Murdoch's record score on the S.C.G. made in 1881/1882.
Scrapbook (Item 3)
Deals with the 1929/1930 season including world's record score of 452 not out. Photos and cuttings of that innings. Including details of every scoring shot and photo. of S.C.G. Board showing the score.
Letter of congratulations from W.H. Ponsford who previously held the record. Copy of radio talk - myriads of telegrams - official announcement of selection for England. Autographs of that team. Official document from Board Secy giving details of tour and copy of agreement.
Scrapbook (Item 4)
1930 tour of England including all matches up to Cambridge and the 1000 runs before the end of May. Photo of Hampshire's captain, Lord Tennyson. Letters of congratulation from Sir Pelham Warner and H.D.G. Levenson-Gower. Beautiful photo. of "Fenners" - Cambridge.
Scrapbook (Item 5)
1930 tour of England from Cambridge to Yorkshire. Many excellent photos and detailed descriptions of record breaking 254 at Lords.
Scrapbook (Item 6)
Continuing English tour to Northampton. Details of worlds record score of 334 in test at Leeds including century before lunch.
Diagram and details of every stroke. Telegraphic gift of £1000 from Arthur Whitelaw and confirmatory letter.
Special article by "Cricketer" - (Sir Neville Cardus).
Scrapbook (Item 7)
Up to end of English tour of 1930. Many excellent photos including one of the then Prince of Wales. Farewell test match of Sir Jack Hobbs and final first class match at Scarborough of the legendary Wilfred Rhodes.
Scrapbook (Item 8)
Details of farewells in Australia before going to England plus extracts from personal diary re Australian section of tour and of sea voyage. Photos and diary extracts of trip through Italy and France en route to England.
Scrapbook (Item 9)
Includes personal diary entries of English tour with many intimate photos and details. Photos of Archie MacLaren, "Ranji", "Duleep", Walter Lindrum and a host of others - making piano record. Diary notes of return journey and photos of car presentation by General Motors. Pilot Shortridge and the ill fated "Southern Cloud". Welcome home to Bowral, photos of mother, father and brother.
Scrapbook (Item 10)
Serialisation articles of my first book - critiques thereon. Fine by Board of Control. Articles for "The Referee".
Scrapbook (Item 11)
Details of season 1930/1931. Matches against West Indians, Shield games and a tour of North Queensland which ended with a broken ankle and a sojourn in Rockhampton Hospital.
Scrapbook (Item 12)
Details of the offer to play professional cricket in England and refusal. Personal letter from Dr. H.V. Evatt, also one from Professor Cecil Sweet Allen and the President of the S.A.C.A. Mr. B.V. Scrymgour.
Scrapbook (Item 13)
Details of 1931/1932 season including test series v S. Africa and record score of 299 n.o. on Adelaide Oval.
Scrapbook (Item 14)
Details of "honeymoon" tour of Canada and the U.S.A. including personal diary account of tour and many unique photographs.
Scrapbook (Item 15)
Second volume of American tour. Photos of Jessie at "Snowy" Baker's establishment and photos taken in Hollywood with celebrities there, including the renowned Sir Charles Aubrey Smith.
Scrapbook (Item 16)
1932/1933 season in Australia - the notorious "bodyline" tour. My "row" with the Board over writing for press.
Scrapbook (Item 17)
Details of 1933/1934 season, my last for N.S.W. Passing of umpire's exam. Selection of 1934 team for England. Details of employment contract with Hodgetts. Move to Adelaide.
Scrapbook (Item 19)
Details of English tour matches prior to the 4th Test. Photos shaking hands at Lords with King George V.
Scrapbook (Item 21)
1934 tour continued. Fifth test and all other matches until the conclusion of the tour.
Scrapbook (Item 22)
More intimate details of the 1934 tour of England including photos of the remarkable John Burns and Joe Davis. Details of sudden illness and emergency operation at end of tour and eventual return to Australia.
Scrapbook (Item 23)
First season (1935/1936) with South Australia. Congratulatory letter from the President, S.A.C.A. Mr. Scrymgour and S.A. winning the Shield. Winning of the Mt. Osmond Golf Championship.
Scrapbook (Item 24)
Matches against England 1936/1937 up to 1st Test, Brisbane. Appointment as Australian Captain and Selector. Loss of first born son.
Scrapbook (Item 27)
Balance of the 1936/1937 season including the fifth Test when Australia won "The Ashes".
Personal letter from Dr. H.V. Evatt. Telegram from Governor General and message from H.M. the King.
Scrapbook (Item 28)
Season 1937/1938. Various club and State matches and games against Tasmania also of the team chosen to tour England in 1938 and captaincy thereof.
Scrapbook (Item 29)
Serialisation of articles written for "The News of the World". Newspaper critiques of book "My Cricketing Life".
Scrapbook (Item 30)
Details of 1938 tour of England with all matches up to Hampshire including the unique achievement of scoring 1000 runs before the end of May for the second time. Players Agreement with Board set out. Details of 278 v M.C.C. at Lords.
Scrapbook (Item 31)
Further details of the English tour up to the washout at Manchester. Details of century at Old Trafford in 73 minutes.
Scrapbook (Item 32)
Continued story of 1938 tour until its conclusion. Argument with Aust. Board over wife "ban". Hutton's world record test score at The Oval. Gift of the Royal Worcester Vase.
Scrapbook (Item 33)
Details from personal diary of 1938 tour. Sundry matters including photo with Lord Hawke. Golf at Moor Park with Sandy Herd. Photo with Gordon Selfridge. "The wives" arrive in England. Convalescence at the home of the Robins at Slough.
Scrapbook (Item 34)
Mainly Shield cricket in seasons 1938/1939 and 1939/1940. Details of equalling world's record of 6 successive centuries. Winning S.A. squash championship.
Scrapbook (Item 35)
Outbreak of war. Enlistment in The Army. Series of articles by Sir Neville Cardus on the Tests between 1920 and 1939.
Letter of appreciation from Lord and Lady Gowrie.
Early picture of children, aged 5 and 3.
Resumption of Shield cricket after the war and a match against the Services team. Personal letter from army chief Brigadier Bundock.
Scrapbook (Item 36)
Season 1946/1947. Refusal of enormous financial offer to write for the press in order to be available again to play cricket for Australia and try to revive the game. Wonderful letter from Johnnie Moyes. Resumption of Tests v England. Exciting 1st Test Brisbane. Many telegrams.
Scrapbook (Item 39)
Balance of 1946/1947 season with sundry matches and last 2 Tests. Telegram from Deputy Prime Minister. Personal letter from Ian Johnson, also from the Leader of the Opposition - Hon. R.G. Menzies and from Vijay Merchant.
Scrapbook (Item 40)
Season 1947/1948 and the first 2 Tests v India. Hundredth century. Enormous volume of letters and telegrams. Announcement of my last season in Australia. Fine letter from Robert Ashton.
Scrapbook (Item 41)
Last 3 tests v India. Agreement to go to England once more. Details of chosen side. Details of early matches in Tasmania and Western Australia.
Scrapbook (Item 42)
English tour of 1948. Opening of tour and matches up to and including match v Surrey.
Scrapbook (Item 43)
English tour continued. County matches prior to first test. Publicity concerning Johnnie Moyes" biography is revealing and timely.
Scrapbook (Item 45)
Details of 2nd Test. Match Surrey and details of 3rd Test and match v Middlesex. Advance publicity about possible testimonial.
Scrapbook (Item 46)
Details of 4th Test and Australia's greatest win in history. Continuing matches v Counties.
Scrapbook (Item 47)
Details of 5th and final test plus matches to end of tour including farewell century at Aberdeen. My comments at end of tour.
Scrapbook (Item 48)
Various aspects of the 1948 tour in comment and photos. Interesting pieces including a letter from my then 9 year old son. Life membership of Lancashire and Yorkshire. Presentation of the Warwick Vase. Birthday cake in final appearance at Lords. Fine letter from Philip Noel Baker of Commonwealth Relations Office, Downing Street, London.
Scrapbook (Item 50)
Continuation of letters, telegrams and cables from people in all walks of life on knighthood.
Scrapbook (Item 51)
Further letters, telegrams etc re knighthood. Official invitation to Investiture in Melbourne on 15th March by the Governor General and completion of the Ceremony.
Scrapbook (Item 52)
On returning to Australia in 1948, played in the Kippax Oldfield Testimonial match in Sydney and the Arthur Richardson Testimonial in Adelaide. Details of my own fantastic testimonial game in Melbourne which ended in a tie. Attracted over 94,000 spectators.
The final item is a magnificent tribute by H.S. Altham to my book "FAREWELL TO CRICKET".