House where Sir Paul McCartney learned to play guitar as a child up for auction

The house where Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney first learned to play the guitar is up for sale at auction this month.

The address is the former home of Sir Paul’s childhood friend Ian James, where the musician has recalled first holding a guitar, learning his first chords and is known to have listened to the rock and roll records that fuelled his love for music.

The connection is well documented by Sir Paul himself.

43 Elswick Street is a two-bedroom mid-terrace home situated in Liverpool’s Dingle area / Credit: Omega Auctions

In a letter concerning the guitar used at the house, he wrote: “The above guitar, belonging to my old school pal Ian James, was the first guitar I ever held, it was also the guitar on which I learned my first chords in his house at 43 Elswick Street, Liverpool 8.”

The guitar was subsequently sold by Mr James for £330,000 in 2006, with Sir Paul providing his written provenance for the instrument.

The house is being offered with an estimate of £150,000 – £170,000.

The house is to be sold by Merseyside-based music specialist auctioneers Omega Auctions, which has previously sold properties connected to the Beatles including the house of John Lennon’s mother Julia and a house where George Harrison spent much of his childhood.

43 Elswick Street is a two-bedroom mid-terrace home situated in Liverpool’s Dingle area.

Sir Paul recalled first holding a guitar and learning his first chords at the property / Credit: Yui Mok/PA

It comes with an enclosed porch leading into the living room, a kitchen, a downstairs WC and access to a shared rear alleyway, currently used for bin storage.

Dan Muscatelli-Hampson, director of operations and consignments at Omega Auctions, said of the sale: “We have a great track record of selling properties around Liverpool connected to the Beatles, and I’m sure we’ll see similar interest in this historic house.

“Beyond the important link to Paul McCartney – it’s a super property in a very up and coming part of the city.”

The auction will finish on October 26 at 1pm.