image source, Denis O’Regan
Freddie Mercury photographed at Wembley Stadium in 1986
Mary Austin, the best friend of Queen singer Freddie Mercury, reported that she will auction nearly 1,500 objects that belonged to the famous artist, including the manuscript of one of his songs and several costumes that he used in his concerts.
The British singer, who died in 1991, built a collection of objects during his 30-year artistic career.
Mercury inherited his house, located in west London, and the things that were inside to his best friend.
“This collection of objects takes you deeper into the famous individual and the man that I knew,” Austin told the BBC.
image source, Getty Images
Mary Austin con Freddie Mercury en 1986
One of the objects that Austin showed the BBC to publicize the auction is a portrait by the French painter Tissot, what was the last work of art that the singer bought before he died.
The painting was hung in a special place in Mercury’s house so that the singer of the British band could see it from the sofa. It is estimated to have a value close to US$500,000
“You can see the spectrum of his taste. It’s a smart, sophisticated collection,” Austin noted.
image source, Sotheby’s
The last piece of art that Mercury bought was this portrait of James Jacques Tissot
One of the main pieces in the collection up for auction is a manuscript with the lyrics of one of Queen’s most famous songs, “We Are The Champions”.
In the handwritten text, in addition to the lyrics, you can see the chords and harmonies throughout nine pages.
It is expected to sell for around $250,000.
Another noteworthy handwritten manuscript is the lyrics to the song “Killer Queen” – one of the group’s early hits – on a sheet of paper written in pencil around 1974.
Austin noted that putting the manuscripts up for auction was particularly difficult because they show “the most beautiful side” of the man who was his great friend.
“You are looking at the process of an artist. The phrases, the rethinking, the starting over,” he said.
Austin met Mercury in 1970, when he was 19 years old.
Queen in 1973, from left to right: John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and Brian May.
Austin and Mercury lived together for a while and they remained very close friends even after he came out to her that he was gay.
She took over his care when he fell ill after contracting AIDS in the late 1980s.
“I don’t have many close people. And the only one, if we’re talking about that, is Mary,” said the singer on one occasion.
Due to his shyness, Austin has rarely spoken in public since Mercury’s death.
But she insists the singer is still a very important part of her life: “I miss the fun, the humor, his warmth and energy.”
image source, Sotheyby’s
Freddie Mercury lived at Garden Lodge in West London.
mercury’s house
The home, known as Garden Lodge, located in west London, has remained much the same since Mercury’s death in 1991, complete with all the furnishings and artwork.
There you can see Matisse and Chagall linotypes hanging on the wall and also a Picasso painting that is in the kitchen.
image source, Sotheby’s
In the kitchen of Freddie Mercury’s house hung the portrait of Pablo Picasso’s wife.
“I like to be surrounded by splendid things. I want to live a Victorian life, surrounded by elegant china and cutlery,” Mercury once said.
But now Austin has decided to sell the entire collection because she “You need to get your affairs in order.”
“The time has come for me to make the difficult decision to close this very special chapter of my life,” he said.
Beyond some personal gifts and photos of the two, Austin is selling everything.
“I realized that it was not appropriate to keep things. If I was going to sell them, I would have to be brave enough to sell everything,” he added.
image source, Sotheby’s
Freddie Mercury’s crown, a replica of the St. Edward’s crown that King Charles will wear at the coronation
Therefore, the costumes that Mercury used on stage will be sold, including those decorated with sequins and the crown and cape that he wore during his last tour with Queen in the 1980s.
The artist kept these objects in a dressing room lined with mirrors.
image source, Sotheby’s
Freddie Mercury is believed to have written and recorded the song “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” on this 1975 Martin D-35 acoustic guitar, which will also be up for auction.
There are personal items in the auction lot. The phone by her bed, monogrammed cocktail napkins embroidered with a green F and a littleof pain audiencedo for the mustache.
There’s also his favorite vest, worn in the last video he recorded for the song “These are the Days of Our Lives” in 1991.
The garment is made of red, green and purple silk and is hand-painted with each of the cats that belonged to the singer, Delilah, Goliat, Oscar, Lily, Romeo y Miko.
image source, Sotheby’s
Freddie Mercury’s favorite vest.
The 1,500 items will go on display at Sotheby’s in London in a purpose-built gallery, dedicated to a different aspect of Mercury’s life, before they go on sale in September.
The auction is expected to raise about $7 million with some of the money going to charity.
2023-04-26 14:46:58
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