LONDON: From fanciful costumes and working drafts of Bohemian Rhapsody to ashtrays and art, hundreds of items Freddie Mercury owned go on show in Britain on Friday (today) before being sold next month.

Sotheby’s has transformed its central London gallery to resemble the Queen frontman’s former home in the UK capital for the month-long exhibition, ahead of its six-stage sale of the more than 1,400 lots.

The singer-songwriter, who died in 1991, had assembled an array of “treasures” which had been left largely untouched at his one-time west London house in the three decades since, according to the auctioneers.

They include a treasured Yamaha baby grand piano, revealed to be among the lots by Sotheby’s Thursday, which Mercury composed numerous hits on. It is estimated to fetch up to 3 million pounds.

The replica of Britain’s St Edward’s Crown and an accompanying cloak — in fake fur, red velvet and rhinestones — worn by the star on stage in the 1980s is also on display. He performed in both at the world-famous Live Aid concert in 1985 and the finale renditions of “God Save The Queen” during his last tour with the band in 1986.

The 16,000 square feet multi-room showcase, which runs until September 5 — the late singer’s birthday — also features numerous elements from his so-called Japanese collection.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2023