Iconic Freddie Mercury memorabilia sells for millions at auction
- Queen frontman’s prized piano and a ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ draft are champions at an auction in London
- The 59 lots sold on Wednesday brought in £12.2 million (US$15.4 million), blowing away estimates
The piano Queen frontman Freddie Mercury used to compose almost all of his greatest songs and the original manuscript for “Bohemian Rhapsody” were snapped up for over £3 million when they went under the hammer in London.
The Sotheby’s auction room echoed to the sound of the track “We Will Rock You” before bidding began at the black-tie evening auction.
The items were among over 1,400 lots of Mercury memorabilia up for grabs over the next week, with the famous auction house’s facade decorated with a huge moustache for the occasion.
The 59 lots sold on Wednesday brought in £12.2 million (US$15.4 million), Sotheby’s said, adding that each one went for more than double the estimated price.
Mercury’s Yamaha quarter-tail piano went for £1.7 million, including buyer’s premium and fees, while the manuscript for the epic hit song “Bohemian Rhapsody” fetched £1.3 million.