Paul McCartney Is Auctioning Off the Iconic Beatles Boots He Wore at the 2012 London Olympics

These boots were made for collecting.

Paul McCartney is auctioning off the custom boots he wore for his performance at the London Olympics opening ceremony in July 2012 to raise funds for charity. The stage shoes, which will be offered as part of a Sotheby’s Sealed sale running May 24 to 31, are expected to fetch between roughly $12,500 and $18,800 (£10,000–£15,000).

More from Robb Report

• One of Monet's Haystack Paintings Could Fetch More Than $30 Million at Auction

• Paul McCartney Is Still Driving His Decades-Old Corvette

• This Bespoke Cowboy Boot-Maker Just Launched a Made-to-Order Program

McCartney has been rocking boots since the 1960s. The British musician and his fellow Beatles bandmates John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr popularized what we now call the Beatle boot in the 1960s. Originally made by Covent Garden footwear company Anello and Davide, the black leather boot, known then as the Baba, was a twist on the classic Chelsea with a high Cuban heel that appealed to the four Liverpudlians and other style-savvy folks. The Beatles made a few alterations to the Baba, creating a namesake style that became a highly sought-after fashion accessory.

The pair heading to auction this month are based on the iconic Beatle boots but showcase a new, more sustainable material. Shoemaker Steven Lowe of Eastbourne footwear shop Crispinians handcrafted the shoes from an alternative suede rather than traditional leather. McCartney sported the kicks on stage at the 2012 London Olympics opening ceremony and at the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations the same year. He also wore them for his “On the Run” tour in Europe, South America, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

McCartney is selling the boots to raise money for Meat Free Monday. The Brit set up the nonprofit with his daughters Mary and Stella McCartney to encourage people to have a healthier diet and save animals by not eating meat at least one day a week.

“As it was time for me to get myself a new pair of boots, I thought this might be a good way to help our Meat Free Monday campaign celebrate its 15th anniversary,” McCartney said in a statement. “Me and my boots have great memories of that special evening at the Olympic opening ceremony in London. It was a high to be involved with such an awesome and spectacular event. Something I’ll remember forever.”

If you happen to be in the British capital, the boots will be on display in Sotheby’s New Bond Street galleries in London before the auction at the end of May.

Best of Robb Report

• The 10 Most Expensive Watches Sold at Auction in the 21st Century (So Far)

• 11 Stunning Jewelry Moments From the 2020 Oscars

• The New Suit: A Buyer’s Guide

Sign up for Robb Report's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.