BRADMAN LETTERS, CECIL COOKE COLLECTION AUCTION

When Cecil Cooke died in 2020 at the age of 91, he left behind more than a grieving family and a wide circle of friends in Australia and Singapore.  He also left a collection of cricket memorabilia that is a testament to his enduring love for the game.
 

It wasn't a love he internalised.  Far from it.  He inspired many Singaporeans to embrace the game.  In one obituary he was hailed as "the father of modern day cricket (in Singapore)...he lifted cricket from relative obscurity to creating an ecosystem in which it thrived and Singapore excelled on and off the field." 
 

The 104 lots includes many fascinating and novel items, such as a collection of more than 220 cricket ties housed in a superb custom-built timber chest of drawers.  Ties include the Australian Test Team 1969/70 Tour, Lords Jubilee 1970, World Cup 1975, Centenary Test Match 1977, Australian Bicentennial Test 1988, and India Tour to Australia 1977/78.  Lot 245 has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000 - $3,000. 
 

There is also an intimate collection of aerogrammes, letters and cards between Cecil Cooke, Sir Don and Lady Bradman.  Interestingly, the correspondence began in the same month and year as the 'Dismissal' (when the Governor General sacked Gough Whitlam and his government).  

The collection is housed in a specially-designed wooden box with 'Letters of Bradman' engraved on the lid.  Pre-sale estimate for lot 268 is $10,000 - $15,000. The auction will be held on 22 September from 12.00pm at Leski Auctions in High St, Armadale.

"Cecil Cooke was a man on a mission," says Charles Leski of Leski Auctions. "While he was an avid collector of cricket memorabilia, his focus was on developing the game in Singapore where he lived and raised a family. 

"He was notable for the relationships he developed, many at the highest levels of cricket internationally.  Among them was Sir Don Bradman who saw Cecil Cooke as a kindred spirit.  Despite walking hand-in-hand with cricket 'royalty', he committed himself to the game at every level, which is reflected in this collection."
 

Pictured below: Lot 231 (framed right-hand batting glove of Sir Donald Bradman) has a pre-sale estimate of $5,000 - $10,000.  

(Image available at https://auctions.leski.com.au/images/lot/4483/448389_l.jpg?1689047165)
 

About Leski Auctions
Leski Auctions was established in 1973. Today, it is regarded as one of Australia's leading auctioneers of Sporting Memorabilia, Australian Art & Antiques, Collectibles and World Philately.  Among the many significant collections that Leski Auctions has been privileged to sell are those of Shirley Strickland, Ron Clarke, Sir Reginald Ansett and former RSL President, Bruce Ruxton.  It has sold more 'baggy green' caps than any other auction house in the world.

Charles Leski is a registered valuer for the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts' Cultural Gifts Program.  He is also the valuer of the displayed items at the National Sports Museum at the MCG, Melbourne.  

The company is located at 727-729 High Street Armadale, Victoria 3143 Australia.  
Tel +61 3 8539 6150 and www.leski.com.au

Issued by:         
Charles Leski                
Tel: +61 412 053 692 / +61 3 8539 6150  

charles@leski.com.au