More than a thousand belongings of the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury are going under the hammer in London. Including the baby grand piano on which Mercury composed – and the legendary “king’s cloak” complete with crown.
The auction house Sotheby’s is auctioning off more than 1,400 items from the estate of Queen singer Freddie Mercury for a week from tonight. Sotheby’s expects revenues of at least six million pounds (almost seven million euros).
The baby grand alone, which will be auctioned off in the “Evening Auction” on the first evening, is said to fetch 3.5 million euros. The Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano was one of the favorite pieces of the frontman, who died in 1991. Mercury composed classics like “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits on it.
Between mantle, crown and champions
Also up for auction is Mercury’s legendary red velvet and faux-fur “Royal Mantle” and matching crown, which he wore to wow fans on the 1986 “Live Magic” tour.
In addition to the legendary singer’s well-known extravagant wardrobe with various stage outfits from the 70s and 80s, some of which he designed himself, handwritten song lyrics, drafts and notes are also up for auction. Including a previously unknown text draft for the Queen hit “We Are The Champions”. The nine-page manuscript could fetch £200,000 to £300,000.
Many auction items achieved online bids in advance that exceeded the estimated value many times over. A silver beard comb from Tiffany & Co., originally valued at between £400 and £600, was trading at £30,000 on Tuesday.
Mary Austin plans to donate a portion of the proceeds
After Mercury’s death in 1991, the possessions he had amassed at his London home had remained relatively untouched for decades. They will now be put up for auction by Mary Austin, one of Mercury’s closest friends, who also looked after him in his house.
Mary Austin is Mercury’s former partner, he wrote the song “Love Of My Life” for her. When the Queen frontman revealed his homosexuality, they broke up but remained close friends. Mercury bequeathed Austin the lion’s share of his fortune, including his palatial mansion in London. Austin still lives there with her family.
She wants to donate part of the proceeds to the Mercury Phoenix Trust, founded by Mercury’s bandmates, and the foundation of pop star Elton John, both of which are dedicated to the fight against Mercury’s cause of death, AIDS.