Personal items from the collection will be sold across auctions in September.
Overwhelmed by the response to the exhibition, Mercury’s close friend Mary Austin decided the piano should be offered “without reserve” to open the possibility of bidding to a broader base of potential buyers. “I have almost lost count of the number of auctions I have presided over from this rostrum, but I know for certain that I will never forget bringing the hammer down tonight – nor will I forget the electric atmosphere that both imbued the auction room and that has taken over our galleries for the past month.”Ĭostumes which were part of Freddie Mercury’s personal collection went on display during a photo call at Sotheby’s in London ahead of their auction (Yui Mok/PA)Īuctioning of the treasured piano came a month after thousands of items from Mercury’s beloved home – Garden Lodge in Kensington, west London – went on display as part of the Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own exhibition. Sotheby’s Europe chairman Oliver Barker said: “It has been a once-in-a-lifetime privilege for all of us at Sotheby’s to celebrate the legend that is Freddie Mercury. Sotheby’s said a record 2,000 people from 61 countries registered to bid for the 59 lots on Wednesday, all of which found a buyer. The items came up for sale in the first of six auctions devoted to Mercury’s never-before-seen private collection. Meanwhile, a sparkling silver sequined stage-worn cat suit worn by Mercury on tours in 19 was sold for £139,700 (€163,246).
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