Freddie Mercury's belongings sold at auction for record sums

Freddie Mercury's prized piano, on which he composed "Bohemian Rhapsody" and other Queen hits, has sold for more than $2 million. In addition, a massive collection of the late singer's colorful stage costumes, artwork and original song lyrics was sold at a record-breaking auction . The publication told in more detail NBC Philadelphia.

Photo: IStock

Items associated with "Rhapsody", the band's longest-running hit, brought in big profits: handwritten lyrics to the song sold for an estimated £1,4 million ($1,7 million), and a gold Cartier brooch inscribed with Queen number 1, donated each member of the group by their manager after the song reached number one in the charts, was sold under the hammer for 165 pounds sterling ($000).

The Victorian-style silver snake bracelet that Mercury wore with an ivory satin suit in the song's video set the record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a piece of jewelry owned by a rock star.

The bracelet sold for £698 ($500), 881 times its estimated sale price. Sotheby's said the lot broke a record set in 000, when a John Lennon leather and bead talisman sold for £100 ($2008).

On the subject: Microscopic copy of Louis Vuitton handbag sold at auction for $63

The eclectic collection of objects was assembled by Mercury after Queen's glam rock spawned an avalanche of hits, allowing the singer to realize his dream of living in Victorian style "surrounded by exquisite clutter."

More than 1400 items are being sold by Mercury's close friend Mary Austin, to whom he left his home and all his belongings when he died in 1991 at the age of 45 from AIDS-related pneumonia.

In "Rhapsody," Mercury wrote, "Is it easy, is it easy, will you let me go?" and the answer to that question from wealthy fans seemed to be "no," as they shelled out vast fortunes—more and more—for to get their hands on some of the clothing, awards and original handwritten drafts of the late singer's classic songs such as Killer Queen and We Are the Champions.

One man, who raised his arms above his head in triumph and hugged the woman sitting next to him, bid £635 ($000) for the rhinestone-encrusted crown and red faux-fur cape that Mercury wore on stage at the end of each concert during his last tour. Queen in 801.

The auction opened with the sale of a graffiti door to the garden of Mercury's home, which quickly surpassed the £25 ($000) estimate predicted before the sale and led to more than 31 minutes of bidding.

A green door covered in love notes from fans who made the pilgrimage to the house in London's exclusive Kensington neighborhood has sold for $521.

All proceeds from the sale of the Cartier onyx and diamond ring, given to Mercury by Elton John and sold for $344, are to go to the Rocket Man singer's AIDS charity.

The auction included engravings by Pablo Picasso ($240), Salvador Dali ($000) and Marc Chagall ($60), antique furniture and numerous cat figurines.

For the past month, Mercury fans who couldn't afford the prices (or just wanted to see his shoes, diamond brooches, sequined jacket) have been able to view them for free at Sotheby's galleries. More than 140 visitors from around the world lined up outside the elegant auction house to take the tour.

Promotion of the Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own exhibition has fueled bids in online auctions that began last month and end next week.

Even items that some buyers thought were affordable exceeded online auction pre-sale estimates.

Thus, for a collection of chopsticks, the cost of which was estimated at 40-60 pounds sterling, a bid of 1 pounds sterling ($200) was made.

One of the quirky items, a silver mustache comb from Tiffany & Co, for which the buyer was expected to pay between 400 and 600 pounds ($500-$750), received a bid of 35 pounds ($000).

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The Yamaha grand piano on which Mercury wrote some of his biggest hits was expected to fetch £3 million ($3,75 million) but sold for £1,7 million ($2,2 million). Sotheby's said it was the highest price ever paid for the composer's piano, but did not provide information about the previous record.

Other valuables that attracted fans included a draft of the lyrics to Mercury's Somebody to Love (£241; $000), as well as Don't Stop Me Now and We Are the Champions, which sold for the same price: £304 ($000).

The rough drafts contained songs from the very beginning of their creation: “Bohemian Rhapsody” was written on stationery from the now-defunct British Midland Airways. The song was originally called “Mongolian Rhapsody,” but then the title was crossed out.

The song ends with the words: “Nothing matters to me.”

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