Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Investing

Freddie Mercury Memorabilia Auction Draws Enthusiastic Crowd at Sotheby’s

An auction of items once owned by British rock star Freddie Mercury turned electric on its opening day, taking in a higher-than-expected $15.4 million.

The sale, by Sotheby’s in London, included $2.2 million for the
Yamaha
baby grand on which he composed “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits. The auction’s second and third installments happen today.

Mercury, the Queen frontman who died in 1991, was an eclectic collector of artwork, furniture, and feline-inspired décor, who had aspired to lead the Victorian life, “surrounded by exquisite clutter.” Lifelong friend Mary Austin said there was nothing Mercury loved more than an auction.

The live, black-tie event drew 2,000 bidders from 61 countries. The first item, a graffiti-covered door on which fans had written tributes, prompted a spontaneous chant of “We Will Rock You,” and sold for $521,000.

Mercury’s autographed handwritten lyrics to “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which he almost called “Mongolian Rhapsody,” sold for $1.8 million, while his “We Are the Champions” lyrics sold for $401,000.

Mercury’s stage costumes were a huge draw, including $801,500 for the jeweled crown and scarlet cloak he wore in his “Magic” tour, and $256,500 for his rainbow-colored satin appliqué jacket.

A serpent-shaped silver bangle Mercury wore in the “Bohemian Rhapsody” video sold for $882,000, setting a record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a rock star’s jewelry, Sotheby’s said.

The final three online auctions start Sept. 11 and run through Sept. 13.

Austin plans to donate an undisclosed portion of the proceeds to charity, including $344,000 from the sale of a Cartier onyx-and-diamond ring given to Mercury by Elton John to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Write to Janet H. Cho at [email protected] 

Read the full article here

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

Uncategorized

Content Sædvanligvis Populære Skuespil – troll hunters slot Get up wire €1000, 150 Free Spins De bedste free spins tilbud medmindre giroindbetalin Free Spins i...

Uncategorized

Posts Which Us online casino gets the greatest Issues the fresh Waking bonus offers? Totally free Fall Storms Maximum Gains for Aspects: The brand...

Uncategorized

Content ) Unser Lucky Days Inter auftritt Lucky Days Kundenservice Lucky Days Spielbank Umsatzbedingungen Lucky Days Spielbank Probe User Testberichte hinter Lucky Days Zugelassen...

Uncategorized

Content Really does Bitstarz Gambling enterprise provide alive specialist games? How do i allege Bitcoin gambling establishment incentives? Betting Slotastic Again, the advantage and...