Freddie Mercury’s extensive and never seen before private collection has gone on display at Sotheby’s.
The auction house acquired the vast collection, from Mercury’s close friend Mary Austin who cared for his home and everything in it for the last thirty years.
The collection is made up of the contents of his beloved Garden Lodge home, and will be exhibited in a month-long takeover of Sotheby’s London galleries until the items are auctioned off on Wednesday, September 6, 2023.
Iconic stage costumes, handwritten lyrics, and a trove of personal belongings are all currently displayed.
These include Mercury’s crown and accompanying cloak worn for the finale rendition of God Save The Queen during his last tour with Queen, handwritten lyrics to We Are The Champions and Killer Queen and the lavish ceremonial military-style jacket created for Freddie Mercury’s 39th Birthday Party Drag Ball.
The collection also contains works of arts and objects Mercury acquired over the years since first buying the Georgian-style villa in 1980 which has remained as Mercury left it, following his death in 1991.
The exhibition will close on September 5, which would have been Mercury’s 77th birthday.
The rock star’s friend Mary Austin said that the decision to sell her friend’s belongs closes a special chapter in her life.
She said: “For many years now, I have had the joy and privilege of living surrounded by all the wonderful things that Freddie sought out and so loved. But the years have passed, and the time has come for me to take the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life.
“It was important to me to do this in a way that I felt Freddie would have loved, and there was nothing he loved more than an auction.
“Freddie was an incredible and intelligent collector who showed us that there is beauty and fun and conversation to be found in everything; I hope this will be an opportunity to share all the many facets of Freddie, both public and private, and for the world to understand more about, and celebrate, his unique and beautiful spirit.”
The collection will then go on sale in six auctions in September, each one devoted to a different aspect of Mercury’s life.
Address: 34-35 New Bond Street, Mayfair W1S 2RP
Website: sothebys.com
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