Freddie Mercury, the legendary frontman of Queen, saw his cherished Yamaha baby grand piano, used to compose iconic hits like "Bohemian Rhapsody," go under the hammer at Sotheby's for a staggering £1.7 million. This remarkable sale took place during a monumental auction event.
Auction Highlights
Mercury's beloved piano, initially estimated to reach bids as high as £3 million, fetched an impressive price. Sotheby's proudly declared it as the highest price ever paid for a composer's piano, though no details regarding the previous record were provided.
The items connected to "Bohemian Rhapsody" commanded significant premiums. Hand-written lyrics to the operatic anthem were sold for approximately £1.4 million, while a gold Cartier brooch, given to each band member after the song topped the charts, found a buyer at £165,000.
An unusual piece of Mercury's history, a Victorian-style silver snake bangle worn by the singer in a video for the song, made history of its own. It became the most expensive piece of jewellery ever auctioned, selling for £698,500—surpassing the previous record set by John Lennon's leather and bead talisman in 2008.
A Glimpse into Mercury's Eclectic Life
This eclectic collection of items was carefully accumulated by Mercury, following Queen's era of glam-rock and their surge of chart-topping hits. It allowed the singer to fulfil his dream of living a Victorian life "surrounded by exquisite clutter."
Over 1,400 items from Mercury's personal collection were made available for auction by his close friend, Mary Austin. Mercury had bequeathed his house and all its possessions to Austin before his untimely death from AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991, at the age of 45.
A touching moment during the auction saw a winning bid of £635,000, including a buyer's premium, for the rhinestone-studded crown and red fake fur cloak that Mercury donned at the end of every show during Queen's 1986 tour.
A Charitable Gesture
Notably, the entire proceeds from the sale of a Cartier onyx and diamond ring, gifted to Mercury by Elton John and sold for £273,000, were directed towards the AIDS charity founded by the Rocket Man singer.
Beyond Mercury's personal memorabilia, the auction featured items like prints by Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall, antique furniture, and a multitude of cat figurines.
A Tribute to a Music Legend
For an entire month leading up to the auction, fans of Freddie Mercury had the opportunity to visit Sotheby's galleries for free to view these precious items. More than 140,000 visitors from around the world eagerly queued up outside the elegant auction house to pay homage to the iconic musician.
Among the treasures on display were Mercury's draft lyrics to hits like "Somebody to Love," "Don't Stop Me Now," and "We Are the Champions." These drafts provided a unique glimpse into the birth of these timeless songs, with "Bohemian Rhapsody" initially penned on stationery from the now-defunct British Midland Airways, originally named "Mongolian Rhapsody" before a change of heart.
Freddie Mercury's legacy continues to resonate, as evidenced by the immense interest and historical values attached to these artefacts, reaffirming his status as one of music's greatest icons.
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