A LETTER FROM PAUL TO PRINCE ASKING FOR HIS SUPPORT IN SETTING UP LIPA... THE LETTER SOLD FOR OVER £11,200

A letter from Paul to Prince asking for his support in setting up LIPA. The letter sold for over £11,200.

Paul penned a letter to Prince asking for his support in setting up LIPA in the aftermath of the Toxteth riots.

The letter sold for over £11,200, according to an American auction company, and says “the story started just after the inner-city riots” and goes on to ask for a donation from the Purple Rain singer.

He also invites Prince to teach students at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts and says he hopes to create “something special for thousands of future kids”.

The two-page letter is signed “Paul McCartney,” and is undated, but is shortly after the Toxteth riots in 1981.

The letter says: “Hi there! I know how hard it is to always be getting letters that ask for some favour or another, so it was not easy for me to accept the job of Lead Patron for a Performing Arts School to be located in my home town, Liverpool.

“But, you guessed it! I did agree to do it, so now I’m writing to ‘friends and all good people’ to try and interest them in the scheme.

“The story started just after the inner-city riots in Liverpool a few years ago. A friend suggested that ‘what the city needs is a ‘Fame’ School.’

“I liked the idea as a possible positive focus for local and overseas kids, but it was only later when I went back to my own old school that was in ruins, that “I thought by locating a Performing Arts Centre there we could save the 1825 building in the process. So…(phew!)

“We’re now well on our way, as the enclosed info shows, but there’s still a lot to be done.”

The letter, which sold for $14,822, asks the Purple Rain singer for funding the set up and said Prince’s involvement would be a “thrill”.

It continues: “Anyway, one of these days you’ll have to come and teach a class some moves!

“Who knows, it may turn out to be something special for thousands of future kids. Thanks for looking at this.”

The Beatles legend also sketches a smiley face at the end of the letter.

Paul co-founded the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts which opened its doors in 1996 after years gathering fundraising and support.

Robert Livingston, Vice President at RR Auction in Boston who sold the letter, said: “We’re not sure if Prince made a donation or not —the vast majority of his contributions were gifted anonymously.

“It is an incredible letter with personal content relating to McCartney’s philanthropic efforts to extend the gift of music to future generations.”