Freddie Mercury exhibition opens at Sotheby's
Sotheby's unveils over 1,400 personal items of Freddie Mercury, including legendary stage costumes, handwritten drafts of iconic songs, and his cherished baby grand piano before their upcoming auction.
Image: Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
An exhibition showcasing the personal belongings of Queen's legendary frontman, Freddie Mercury, is currently on display at Sotheby's. The exhibition, titled Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own, presents over 1,400 items from Mercury's residence, Kensington Garden Lodge House, which will be auctioned in September. These items range from costumes and handwritten lyrics to artwork, furniture, photographs, paintings, and his collection of Japanese decorative arts.
Image: Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Image: A collection of ephemera relating to his birthday parties, 1977-1986. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
At the heart of this exceptional collection lies Freddie's beloved Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano, valued between £2-3 million, it was acquired in 1975 to replace his earlier upright piano. Notably, it played a pivotal role in crafting iconic songs like Bohemian Rhapsody and his final composition, Barcelona.
Image: Freddie's beloved Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano, valued between £2-3 million. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Image: Freddie Mercury's multi-coloured jacket. Estimated to fetch £6,000 - £8,000. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
The exhibition also offers glimpses into Mercury's personal life by showcasing 265 previously unseen photographs and Polaroids that capture memorable moments of joy and adventure throughout his life. Additionally, it presents items from his home, such as a weathered kitchen table, ornate cutlery, distinctive crockery, and an array of art, including works by Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Manuscripts and musical paraphernalia up for sale include handwritten lyrics for songs like Somebody to Love and 15 pages of working drafts for Bohemian Rhapsody, unveiling Mercury's initial plan to name it ‘Mongolian Rhapsody.’ It is expected to fetch between £800,000 to £1.2 million.
Image: The Garden Lodge Door. Estimated to fetch £15,000 - £25,000. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Image: Collection of Freddie’s outfits. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Running from 4 August - 5 September, the exhibition coincides with what would have been Freddie Mercury's 77th birthday and offers an unparalleled glimpse into Mercury's personal life and creative journey.
Image: Early photoshoot of Queen took place in 1973, where Freddie wear the snake bracelet (lot 28) by Mick Rock. Estimate to fetch £3,000 - £5,000. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Image: Freddie Mercury. Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own. Sotheby’s London. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
The extensive collection, left to Mercury's close friend Mary Austin, remained untouched in his London mansion for 30 years after his death in 1991. Austin, overseeing the auction of these items, intends to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The auctions pay fitting homage to Mercury's passion for collecting and acquiring through auctions, allowing his treasures to find new homes and continue narrating his story. Sotheby's anticipates a diverse range of buyers, including museums and Mercury's global fan base, all eager to possess tangible connections to the legendary artist.
Image: Miko and Delilah at The Story Café. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
Image: Miko and Delilah at The Story Café. August 2023. Photo by MTotoe.
While at the exhibit, stop by The Story Café by Sotheby's. Throughout the duration of the Mercury exhibit, The Story Café pays homage to Freddie Mercury's cherished feline companions, Miko and Delilah, who are said to have ruled the roost at Garden Lodge, his Kensington home. The entrance to the cafe is through 1-2 St George Street; there's no passage between the café and the exhibition.
Date: 4 August - 5 September 2023.Location: Sotheby's London, 34-35 New Bond St, London W1S 2RP. Opening hours: Monday- Friday: 11am - 4.30pm; weekends: Noon - 5pm.On 1 September the exhibition will remain open until 7pm, and it will conclude on 5 September at 1pm. Price: Free.
The auction will run 6-13 September 2023. Website: sothebys.com