A book signed by Sir Paul McCartney has sold for nearly £1,000 after being donated to a charity shop.
The copy of Paul McCartney In His Own Words, a collection of interviews with the Beatles star, was given to an Oxfam shop in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion.
The book, donated as part of a wider collection of 1970s memorabilia, sat in the shop for several months before its inscription was discovered by manager Joan Randle.
It was subsequently sold at auction with Bonhams, raising £950 for the charity.
Randle said: “The book had actually been sitting on a shelf for a few months alongside lots of other 1970s memorabilia.
“I’d been planning to use some of the items in a fun window display, so it wasn’t something we’d paid particular attention to at first.”
She added that one afternoon she found herself “with a bit of spare time” and decided to work her way through the pile.
“It was one of the very last things I looked at.
“When I opened the book and saw Paul McCartney’s signature, I could hardly believe it… it was one of the best moments of my 10 years working in the shop.”
The book is signed on the inside front cover in black ballpoint pen by Sir Paul, reading: “All the best! to ye!”
Oxfam staff have so far been unable to trace the donor.
A lasting musical legacy
In 1957, a sixteen-year old boy named John Lennon created a group called the Quarrymen, and later his friend, Paul McCartney joined.
Over the next five years, John and Paul’s band totally transformed into a new group called The Beatles. They were joined by Paul’s friend, George Harrison, on guitar and session drummer Ringo Starr.
They released their first UK No. 1 single From Me To You in 1963 and went on to have 16 more UK No. 1’s.
In total, they spent 65 weeks at the top of the UK charts.
And for one week in April 1964, the Beatles achieved something that had never been done before – they took the top five best-selling singles in the United States Billboard chart.
And nearly 70 years on from their creation, they remain one of the world’s most popular music groups of all time.
An Oxfam spokesperson said: “This is a fantastic example of how a single donation can make a real difference.
“We’ve just launched an emergency appeal following the devastating earthquake in Venezuela and every donation to our shops helps ensure Oxfam can respond when communities are hit by disasters around the world.
“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who donates to Oxfam.
“Whether it’s a signed collectible, a well-loved book or an everyday item, every donation and every sale helps us stand with people when they need it most.”
By BBC
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