Freddie Mercury’s Private Collection Auction at Sotheby’s London

The most important thing is to lead a fabulous life’, believed Freddie Mercury. Over 30 years after his death, the iconic singer, songwriter and flamboyant stage performer, continues to be revered as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music. The lead vocalist of the rock band Queen, was born in 1946, to Parsi Indian immigrant parents in Zanzibar. In his lifetime the legendary musician, enjoyed worldwide fame, travelled extensively, had a keen eye for art, curios and fabrics, all of which adorn his home, Garden Lodge, in Kensington, West London. And now, music fans world over, can get an insight into a memorable, never before seen, private collection of the late musician at his beloved home, through a month-long exhibition, beginning in August at Sotheby’s London.

The house, a beautiful light-filled Georgian style brick villa, was originally built for an artist and his sculptor wife, in the early 20th century, was acquired by Freddie in 1980. For thirty years now, Garden Lodge has remained almost entirely as he had left it after his death in 1991, from AIDS related complications. The house reflected Freddie’s eclectic taste reflected in the many artworks that meant so much to him — from Victorian paintings and striking works on paper, to finest examples of glass makers art, from the exceptional fabrics and fine works, he would seek out on trips to Japan, to more personal items that he used in his daily life, along with never before seen drafts of immortal song lyrics and riotous costumes, all lovingly cherished and cared for by one of his closest and most trusted friends, Mary Austin.

“For many years now, I had the joy and privilege of living surrounded by all the wonderful things that Freddie sought out and so loved. But the years have passed and the time has come for me to take the difficult decision to close this very special chapter in my life. It was important to me, to do this in a way that I felt Freddie would have loved and there was nothing he would have loved more than an auction. Freddie was an incredible and intelligent collector, who showed us that there is beauty and fun and conversations to be found in everything. I hope this will be an opportunity to share all the many facets of Freddie, both public and private, and for the world to understand more about and celebrate his unique and beautiful spirit,” said Mary Austin.

The month-long exhibition, begins on August 4^th and closes on, what would have been his 77th birthday on September 5. There will be 1,500 or so items from Garden Lodge displayed in a sequence of specially designed immersive galleries, each one devoted to the singer’s rich and varied life, with six dedicated auctions and a live evening sale. Some of the prized valuables include, a replica of St. Edward’s Crown, similar to what King Charles III, wore on his coronation, a silver Tiffany and Co. moustache comb, handwritten lyrics of “We are the Champions”, along with British Midland Airways stationery and 19^th Century painting Type of Beauty, by French artist James Tissot.