A signed book by Sir Paul McCartney has raised nearly £1,000 for Oxfam after being donated to a charity shop in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion. The copy of Paul McCartney In His Own Words, a collection of interviews with the Beatles star, was sold at auction by Bonhams for £950.
Discovery in a Charity Shop
The book was part of a wider collection of 1970s memorabilia donated to the Oxfam shop. It sat on a shelf for several months before its inscription was discovered by shop manager Joan Randle. Randle had been planning to use the items in a window display and only examined the book closely one afternoon. Upon opening it, she found McCartney's signature in black ballpoint pen on the inside front cover, reading: "All the best! to ye!"
Randle described the moment as "one of the best moments of my 10 years working in the shop." She added: "The book had actually been sitting on a shelf for a few months alongside lots of other 1970s memorabilia. It was one of the very last things I looked at."
Auction and Impact
After the signature was verified, the book was sent to Bonhams auction house, where it sold for £950. Oxfam staff have been unable to trace the donor. 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."
The spokesperson added: "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."
About the Book
Paul McCartney In His Own Words features interviews with the musician, offering insights into his career with the Beatles and solo work. The signed copy is a rare find, underscoring the potential value of donated items in charity shops.
