Paul McCartney’s 1960s Driving Licence Auctioned for Collectors

A rare piece of music history is set to attract significant attention as Paul McCartney’s original 1960s driving licence goes on auction. The licence, issued by the Greater London Council on September 24, 1968, will be featured prominently in Ewbank’s Auctioneers two-day sale of pop culture and historical memorabilia on November 13 and 14, 2023.

The document, valid until 1971, lists McCartney’s home address as 7 Cavendish Avenue, St John’s Wood NW8, just a short distance from the iconic Abbey Road studios. It includes his signature in blue felt pen and notes two minor motoring offences: one in Coventry in February 1968 and another in Bath in May 1969. Housed in its original red “Cartier International Services” pouch, the licence offers a unique glimpse into McCartney’s life during a peak period of his career. The pre-sale estimate for this item is between £800 and £1,200.

Additional Memorabilia Highlights

The auction’s first day will kick off with a collection of items from other notable music figures, including three handwritten letters from a young Steven Morrissey, dating back to around 1979. These letters, addressed to a record collector seeking Sparks records, showcase Morrissey’s early wit and self-awareness. Each letter carries an estimated price range of £1,300 to £2,500.

Guitar enthusiasts will find an impressive array of 42 separate lots from a single vendor. Highlights include a Rickenbacker 660 Tom Petty Limited Edition 12-string, personally signed by Petty, with a valuation of £4,000 to £6,000. Another notable item is a 1977/78 school photograph of Kurt Cobain, valued between £100 and £200.

Cinematic Treasures on the Horizon

The second day of the auction, focusing on Film, TV, Political, and Historical Memorabilia, begins at 14:00 on November 14. A key attraction will be the Greg Dupre Collection, featuring various items related to his work on blockbuster films such as Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back and 007: Octopussy.

Among the Star Wars memorabilia, an original Rebel Trooper hat with a radio transmitter is estimated to fetch between £15,000 and £30,000. A production-used clapperboard marked for director Peter MacDonald and cameraman Geoff Glover, dated April 3, 1979, is valued at £10,000 to £15,000. Dupre’s complete Norwegian crew outfit, featuring a blue ski jacket and trousers, carries an estimate of £7,000 to £12,000.

The auction will also showcase unique items from the Bond franchise, including a clapperboard used during Octopussy (1983), estimated at £3,000 to £6,000. Additionally, the Andrew Sachs Collection of Fawlty Towers memorabilia will feature items such as a heavily annotated personal script for the episode “Basil the Rat,” estimated at £800 to £1,200.

Ewbank’s Auctions, based in Surrey, has earned a reputation for uncovering significant artefacts from the realms of film, television, and music. This comprehensive sale is expected to attract both collectors and fans from across the globe.

For further details about valuations, interested parties can contact Ewbank’s at 01483 223101 or via email at [email protected]. Valuations are available from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, with jewellery assessments by appointment. The full catalogue and live bidding registration can be accessed at www.ewbanks.co.uk.