Freddie Mercury’s personal belongings, including clothing, hand-written lyrics, and a beloved Yamaha baby grand piano, are being exhibited before they go up for sale at Sotheby’s auction house in London. The exhibition showcases almost 30,000 items that belonged to the Queen frontman, offering a glimpse into both his private and public life.
The Yamaha baby grand piano, on which Mercury composed and developed some of Queen’s biggest hits, such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” takes center stage at the exhibition. This iconic instrument is expected to fetch a staggering £3 million at the auction.
Sotheby’s director, Thomas Williams, described Mercury as a hoarder who cherished his possessions, offering a comprehensive view of the man from his childhood to his death in 1991 at the age of 45. The auction includes items ranging from gold and platinum discs and extravagant stage costumes to personal Polaroid photographs, hip flasks, and even a travel Scrabble board that accompanied the star on tour.
Mercury left his Kensington home, Garden Lodge, and its contents to Mary Austin, a close friend. Now, after 32 years, Austin has made the decision to sell everything. Estimates for the auction range from about £20 for a china ornament to up to £3 million for the Yamaha baby grand piano. The auction is expected to fetch between £7.6 million and £11 million.
The exhibition is organized thematically across Sotheby’s 15 galleries. It encompasses Mercury’s fascination with Japanese art, with a dedicated room showcasing art and objects collected during his visits to Japan. The influence of Japanese culture on his stage performances is evident in the connection between the art he created and collected.
Other rooms recreate moments from Mercury’s life, such as his beloved Japanese-style drawing room and the Garden Lodge dining room where he hosted extravagant dinner parties. The collection also includes Mercury’s cat art, ornaments, T-shirts, and photos with his six beloved cats.
Highlights of the exhibition include a 1941 Wurlitzer jukebox, which Mercury moved around his house before it found a permanent place in his kitchen. This colorful, illuminated jukebox played some of his favorite records and added a touch of fun and glamour to his home.
Proceeds from the sale will be donated by Mary Austin to the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, continuing Mercury’s legacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The exhibition, titled “Freddie Mercury, A World of His Own,” will be open to the public at Sotheby’s on New Bond Street until September 5th.