Freddie Mercury's Auction Surpasses Expectations
An electrifying atmosphere enveloped the opening day of the highly-anticipated auction of items once owned by legendary British rock star, Freddie Mercury. The sale, conducted by Sotheby's in London, amassed a staggering $15.4 million, surpassing initial expectations.
One of the standout items sold was the Yamaha baby grand piano on which Mercury composed his iconic masterpiece, "Bohemian Rhapsody," along with numerous other hits. This prized possession fetched an impressive $2.2 million. The subsequent installments of the auction are scheduled to take place today.
Renowned as the flamboyant frontman of the legendary band Queen, Mercury possessed a penchant for collecting various artifacts, ranging from artwork to furniture and feline-inspired décor. His aspiration to lead a Victorian-style lifestyle immersed in ornate beauty is well-known. According to his lifelong friend, Mary Austin, there was nothing Mercury adored more than attending auctions.
The live auction, attended by 2,000 bidders hailing from 61 different countries, was a majestic affair upheld by black-tie elegance. The electric atmosphere reverberated throughout the event as the very first item up for bidding, a door adorned with heartfelt graffiti tributes from fans, triggered an impromptu chant of "We Will Rock You." The door was eventually sold for an astonishing $521,000.
The handwritten autographed lyrics to "Bohemian Rhapsody" were another hotly-contested item, fetching an impressive $1.8 million. Interestingly, it was revealed that Mercury almost titled the song "Mongolian Rhapsody." Furthermore, his iconic lyrics for "We Are the Champions" found a bidder willing to pay $401,000.
Of course, no auction of Mercury's belongings would be complete without his dazzling stage costumes. One such item, the jeweled crown and scarlet cloak he wore during his "Magic" tour, captivated bidders and commanded a final price of $801,500. Additionally, his rainbow-colored satin appliqué jacket fetched an impressive $256,500.
A truly remarkable highlight of the auction was the sale of a serpent-shaped silver bangle prominently featured in the "Bohemian Rhapsody" music video. This unique piece of jewelry set a new record for the highest price ever paid at auction for a rock star's jewelry, reaching an astounding $882,000, as announced by Sotheby's.
The final three rounds of the auction will be conducted online, commencing on September 11 and concluding on September 13.
In a heartwarming gesture, Mary Austin plans to donate an undisclosed portion of the proceeds from the auction to charitable causes. Among the notable donations will be $344,000 from the sale of a Cartier onyx-and-diamond ring gifted to Mercury by Elton John, which will be provided to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
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