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On Paul McCartney's birthday, I revisit the crown jewel of my collection

I went to the 2023 National with no expectations, I left with a grail

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On Paul McCartney's 82nd birthday, and with the 2024 National rapidly approaching, I revisit my favorite memory of my collecting life.

When I walked in to the National in 2023, I was a rookie. I knew I’d be jam-packed with work obligations and meeting up with various people in the industry, and I thought it would be best to try to avoid any temptation or possible distraction by purposely showing up with $0 in cash.

Once I held the signed postcard in my hand, I knew it was over (Credit: Will Stern)
Once I held the signed postcard in my hand, I knew it was over (Credit: Will Stern)

My intent to avoid buying any of the incredible pieces dotting the convention center held steady for a few hours.

But, after speaking to the folks at the Gotta Have Rock and Roll booth and mentioning my love of Paul McCartney, I found myself caving.

Soon, I held in my hands a signed McCartney postcard.

I was given a firm price. It was at the upper-end of my budget, but I figured, let me take a lap, do some research, and I’d reconsider when I came back.

Then, as so often is the case with unique collectibles, I dug into the story and was enamored with what I found.

The postcard shows McCartney with his sheep dog Martha, whose namesake is used in the White Album song “Martha My Dear.” The photo was taken by Linda McCartney in either 1968 or 1969 and is titled “Martha My Dear” after the song.

Then, as I felt that familiar feeling of “I’m definitely buying this” sweep over me, I was hit with a haymaker.

Paul had posted the exact photo from the postcard on his twitter in 2020.

To me, seeing Paul not only remembered the photo but felt it was important enough to share over 50 years later, was the nail in the coffin. This was a truly special piece — at least to me — which is all that really matters, right?

I kept digging.

The same photo had previously been displayed in exhibits of Linda's photography around the world over the years, from Arizona to Montpellier, France.

In one exhibit, it's accompanied by Linda's cover photo of Eric Clapton for Rolling Stone.

So, I bought it, trying to pretend like the price — a pretty penny for me, though surely chump change for others — didn't bother me. I just had to have it.

It came with a Beckett LOA for the signature, and I've decided not to slab it. Right now, it sits under protective layers of card stock. I'd like to get it framed one day.

Why not slabbed? To me, assigning a serial number to it feels like sacrilege. This is about my connection with one of my favorite humans to walk the earth. I don't need a cert number to get involved.

It's about the beauty of collecting, the stories behind the items and, of course, the National, where you never know what you might find.

It’s still the crown jewel of my collection and I can’t imagine what would top it. Not about price, but the experience and my memory of the thrill of finding it is impossible to beat.

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Will Stern is a reporter and editor for cllct. You can follow him on X at @Will__Stern.