Freddie’s Baby Grand Yamaha Piano, on which he composed Bohemian Rhapsody sold for £1.7 million. This was a new record for a composer’s piano.
Meanwhile, his handwritten Bohemian Rhapsody lyrics – a piece of paper with “Mongolian Rhapsody” crossed out – were sold for a whopping £1.379 million.
Another big seller was the Queen star’s costume crown and cloak going for £635,000, which was over 10 times the original estimate of £60,000-80,000.
Another surprise highlight was a silver snake bangle worn in the Bohemian Rhapsody music video by Freddie. Originally estimated at £7000-9000, this sold for £698,500, a record for a piece of jewellery belonging to a rockstar, and almost 100 times its estimate.
After a few hours of bidding, the evening auction concluded with Freddie’s 1941 Wurlitzer jukebox, which he kept in his kitchen, selling for £406,400 up from its estimate of £15,000-25,000.
Other Freddie Mercury auctions coming up at Sotheby’s are as follows:
“On Stage” Live Auction, 7 September, 10 AM
“At Home” Live Auction, 8 September, Session 1: 10 AM, Session 2: 2 PM
“In Love with Japan” Online Auction, 11 August – 11 September, 10 AM
“Crazy Little Things” Part One Online Auction, 11 August – 12 September, 10 AM
“Crazy Little Things” Part Two Online Auction, 11 August – 13 September, 10 AM
