Freddie Mercury: Record attendance well-wishes from Elton John piano to be offered with no reserve

SOTHEBY’S SEES RECORD ATTENDANCE AT

FREDDIE MERCURY ‘A WORLD OF HIS OWN’ EXHIBITION
With Daily Attendance Figures Higher than for Any London Show in Recent Memory

Fans Queue to Visit Once-in-a-Lifetime Exhibition
& Leave Heartfelt Tributes in Visitors’ Book

Overwhelmed by the Response

Mary Austin Decides to Offer Freddie’s Beloved Piano

–  On Which he Composed Bohemian Rhapsody and Countless Other Hits –

Without Reserve

Elton John Remembers His Friend & Sends Fond Wishes Ahead of Auctions

& Bids Flood in at Multiples of Pre-Sale Estimates

LONDON, 4 September 2023 – Freddie Mercury ‘A World of his Own’ – a never-before-seen private collection of over 1,400 of the star’s personal possessions – everything from works of art to stage costumes and hand-written lyrics – has already drawn over 130,056 visitors during its month-long run in London.  The culmination of a world tour that took highlights of the collection to New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, the London showing has attracted more daily visitors than any exhibition dedicated to an iconic figure ever staged in the city.*

Free to the public and open seven days a week, the month-long show draws to a close at Sotheby’s in London on Tuesday, on what would have been Mercury’s 77th birthday. Visitor numbers have exceeded all expectations with fans (some of whom we speak to here) flocking from the far reaches of the UK and from across the globe, some flying in from as far as the USA and Japan just for one day, to catch a glimpse of the specially designed immersive galleries; each one devoted to a different aspect of Mercury’s rich and varied life. (See here for fans’ accounts as they leave the exhibition.)

Experiencing the exhibition has sparked heartwarming moments. Just last week, the 400m long, round-the-block queue broke spontaneously into a chorus of ‘We Will Rock You’ in celebration of Freddie: watch here. Comments from visitors inside the galleries were similarly enthusiastic (see below).

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 02: at Sotheby’s on August 02, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Sotheby’s)

Overwhelmed by the response, Mary Austin has decided that Freddie’s adored Yamaha Baby Grand Piano, which she has so treasured over the years, should now be offered without reserve, so as to open the possibility of bidding to a broader base of potential buyers. More than anything, Mary wants the piano to go a home where it will be loved, cherished and enjoyed to the full. (See here for information on how to register to bid. Or leave bids direct at bids.london@sothebys.com) Please also find further information about Freddie’s piano here.

ELTON JOHN SENDS FOND WISHES

As the auctions approach, Freddie Mercury’s close friend Elton John has sent a heartfelt message.

I miss Freddie to this day.  He was a wonderful friend – more full of love and life than anyone I’ve ever met – as well as a brilliant performer whose music has inspired and thrilled millions. Freddie and I shared a love of collecting and exchanged many gifts over the years, including some in this brilliant auction. He was kind, generous and funny and it is a tragedy that AIDS took him from the world much too soon.  I am grateful to Mary for so lovingly curating his home, and for donating the proceeds from my gifts to Freddie to my Foundation, which continues to fight AIDS around the world, and I hope that would make Freddie smile.

Elton John

In recognition of the strong friendship they enjoyed, proceeds from the sale of six items – some gifts from Elton to Freddie, others reminders of their friendship – will be donated to the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Freddie Mercury and Elton John at Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, London 1985. © Nils Jorgensen/Richard Young/Shutterstock

BIDS FLOOD IN

With sales set to begin on Wednesday, so far over 535,000, people have viewed the auction pages on Sotheby’s website and placed over 17,000 bids. The items proving most popular include:

• Freddie’s small, but mighty moustache comb by Tiffany & Co. has attracted 53 bids so far. The bid currently stands at £30,000, exceeding its original estimate £400 – 600 by 50 times.
• Bidding on an acoustic guitar owned by Mercury for two decades is currently at £20,000 – 10 times its original £2,000-3,000 estimate
• Mercury’s collection of chopsticks (hashi), one of the lowest priced lots in the sale, with an estimate of £40-60, has so far drawn in 41 bids; with bidding currently standing at £1,100.
• Mercury’s barware has attracted 38 bids so far
• There have been a further 27 bids on a 19th century Japanese ewer resembling a teapot, 39 bids on his comic book collection, 44 bids on his membership cards for London clubs including The Embassy, a ground-breaking gay nightclub in London’s West End, 23 bids on his personal record collection and 35 bids on a 1930s French metronome.

SOME COMMENTS FROM VISITORS TO THE EXHIBITION

To Freddie, I don’t know what I would do without you or your music. You have inspired me to stand out and not follow the crows and to be myself. Thank you for everything.

You dressed to kill.

Queen Wembley ’86. My first ever gig – I shall never forget looking back and the hands clapping to Radio Ga Ga! I’ve been to you home and paid tribute. My daughter’s first dance at her wedding. You will never know how many hearts you touched, Freddie. Sleep well and thank you Mary for letting us into his world.

Very emotional. Especially his piano. I couldn’t hold my tears…Thank you Freddie for inspiring my life.

You changed my life.

Well Freddie, an awesome talent with an awesome collection. We feel so privileged to come and see so many things that were part of your too short life. But the legend goes on – and always will. True talent does. We miss you so much.

I was fortunate enough to meet Freddie when he would visit Mr Gandolphi at his Dance Wear shop in Marylebone! Mr Gandolphi made his early catsuits. I was a student at the Arts Educational School and worked in the shop. Mr Gandolphi told us to get Freddie’s autograph as he would be a big name in the future! He signed a Gandolphi compliment slip and I treasure it to this day. Thank you Freddie for your outstanding contribution to the music world.

Amazing. I feel incredibly privileged to be able to see / enter Freddie’s world! Love of my life.

Gone but not forgotten.  Such beautiful belongings for a beautiful man!  Thank you for sharing your talent and great taste.

WELCOMING THE PUBLIC AT SOTHEBY’S AROUND THE WORLD

The much-loved exhibition comes in the wake of similarly successful exhibitions Sotheby’s has staged around the world already this year, with queues also having formed for the exhibition of the Codex Sassoon, a 1,100 year-old Hebrew bible which sold for $38.1 million, breaking a 30 year-old record as the most valuable manuscript ever sold, and Gustav Klimt’s “Lady with a Fan” – the most valuable painting ever sold at auction in Europe.

We are thrilled to have reimagined our London galleries in order to share such an intimate insight into the world of Freddie Mercury with so many of his fans.  The overwhelming popularity of this exhibition – the most visitors in our history – demonstrates the continued desire to discover fascinating objects with exceptional and unique provenance.

Charles F. Stewart, Sotheby’s Chief Executive Officer