Enthusiasts of Freddie Mercury might find themselves questioning whether they’ve stepped into actual reality or a fantastical realm as they enter a meticulously recreated version of his London residence, where an array of thousands of possessions once belonging to the late Queen frontman will be exhibited starting this Friday.
Among these rarities are handwritten lyrics, artwork, and an assortment of collectibles from Mercury’s London abode, famously known as Garden Lodge. These cherished items have been under the custodianship of his close confidante, Mary Austin, since his passing in 1991 due to AIDS-related pneumonia.
For the very first time, these belongings will be showcased to the public in a month-long exhibition hosted by Sotheby’s. Following this display, a significant portion of these items will be auctioned off in September, encompassing a wide price spectrum, starting from as low as 40 pounds and extending to millions of pounds.
“We’ve meticulously designed our gallery spaces to imbue the atmosphere of living with Freddie in his home,” remarked David MacDonald, the head of single-owner sales at Sotheby’s London. He added that the spaces they’ve created would be instantly recognizable to Freddie if he stepped inside.
Central to this forthcoming auction is Mercury’s cherished ebony Yamaha piano, anticipated to fetch between 2 and 3 million pounds ($2.5 and $3.8 million). This iconic instrument served as the conduit for his creative genius, acting as the birthplace for the legendary 1975 Queen masterpiece “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Mary Austin affectionately described the baby grand piano as an extension of Mercury’s own being and creativity. She noted his meticulous care, highlighting that he never smoked near it or placed a glass atop it, ensuring it remained immaculate.
A medley of other items up for auction span from Mercury’s iconic crown and regal cloak, worn during the grand finale of “God Save The Queen” on his last tour with Queen in 1986 (valued at 60,000–80,000 pounds), to a silver moustache comb from Tiffany & Co. (estimated at 400–600 pounds).
Furthermore, the exhibition features handwritten working lyrics for anthems like “We Are The Champions,” with a projected value of 200,000–300,000 pounds, and “Killer Queen,” with an estimated range of 50,000–70,000 pounds.