Key to Paul McCartney's Childhood Home Sells for £5,000 at Auction
On Wednesday, at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in the Cotswolds, a key to 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool—Sir Paul McCartney's childhood residence—was auctioned for £5,000, which is twice its initial estimate. Including fees, the British private collector who purchased it paid £6,100. The key came with a photograph of the house and a tag sent in 1965 by Ashley Jones, the then-resident, to American fan Kathy Salt, who had reached out to him. McCartney lived there with his family during the 1950s and 60s, writing some of the Beatles' earliest songs with John Lennon. He departed in 1963, followed by his father and brother the next year. Additionally, four autographs addressed to "Kathy" fetched £5,124. Chris Albury, a director at the auction house, remarked that the competitive bidding reflects the enduring popularity of the Beatles and described the key's provenance as "remarkable," emphasizing its significance in McCartney's history.
Key facts
- A key to Paul McCartney's childhood home at 20 Forthlin Road, Allerton, Liverpool, sold for a hammer price of £5,000 at Dominic Winter Auctioneers in the Cotswolds on Wednesday.
- The hammer price was double the estimate; with fees, the buyer paid £6,100.
- The key was sent in 1965 by then-occupant Ashley Jones to American superfan Kathy Salt, along with a photograph of the house and a tag.
- Paul McCartney lived at the house with his family during the 1950s and 60s and composed early Beatles tracks there with John Lennon.
- McCartney moved out in 1963, and his father and brother moved out the following year.
- A collection of four autographs from the band, each inscribed to "Kathy," sold for a total of £5,124.
- Chris Albury, director at Dominic Winter Auctioneers, said the bidding competition demonstrates the Beatles' enduring popularity.
- Albury described the key's provenance as remarkable and a tangible connection to McCartney's family home and Beatles history.
Entities
Artists
- Paul McCartney
- John Lennon
- Kathy Salt
- Ashley Jones
- Chris Albury
Institutions
- Dominic Winter Auctioneers
- The Beatles
- BBC Gloucestershire
Locations
- Liverpool
- United Kingdom
- Allerton
- Cotswolds
- 20 Forthlin Road