A piano belonging to legendary British rock singer Freddie Mercury was sold at auction in London on Wednesday for the equivalent of around two million euros (£1.74 million). The Queen frontman, who died in 1991, once composed the rock classic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and many other songs on the baby grand piano, a Yamaha G2 Baby Grand. However, the highest bid remained below the original estimate, which was between 2.3 and 3.5 million euros.
The grand piano is one of approximately 1,400 items from Mercury’s estate that will go under the hammer at various auctions from the traditional London auction house Sotheby’s until next Wednesday. In addition to handwritten lyrics and stage costumes, many works of art, paintings, special and classic furniture and beautiful crockery that the Queen frontman collected during his life will also be auctioned.
On the very first night of the auction, a note featuring Mercury’s handwritten lyric design for “Bohemian Rhapsody” was also up for auction. On paper from a now-defunct airline, Queen’s biggest hit was originally supposed to be called “Mongolian Rhapsody.” However, the word “Mongolian” was crossed out. The highest bidder paid the equivalent of approximately 1.6 million euros (£1.38 million) for the design.
In the run-up to the auction, all auction items, from Mercury’s private home “Garden Lodge” in London’s Kensington district, were on display at Sotheby’s. According to Sotheby’s, the exhibition “Freddie Mercury – A World Of His Own” drew approximately 140,000 visitors.
Mercury had bequeathed the “Garden Lodge” to his former partner and close friend Mary Austin, who is now divorcing it. A fan-scribbled front door to the property fetched about 480,000 euros (£413,000) on Wednesday, about 20 times what was expected. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
