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In the sacred sanctuary of high-end auctions, the illustrious Sotheby’s house, an extravagant mustache conspicuously adorns the façade, paying homage to one of the most iconic figures in music history – the late Freddie Mercury. A meticulous retrospective has been curated to reconstruct the ambiance of the singer’s abode at Garden Lodge, Kensington, where he breathed his last in 1991, succumbing to the horrific AIDS epidemic that was sweeping the world at the time.
This cultural heart of London has harbored for three decades the invaluable “treasures” that have weathered time, as articulated by David Macdonald, the overseer of “single owner” sales at Sotheby’s.
Navigating through the different rooms, much like an explorer traversing the labyrinthine alleyways of an ancient city, one stumbles upon emblematic artifacts. Among them, the crown and cloak the artist wore during the “God Save The Queen” performance concluding every concert of Queen’s last tour, “The Magic Tour” in 1986, are showcased as hallowed relics.
Mercury’s fascination with Japan, an exuberant love disclosed during the exhibition’s preparation, is a veritable revelation. His collection of artifacts – kimonos, prints, porcelain, lacquerware – illustrates the artist’s infatuation for the Land of the Rising Sun, as described by Cécile Bernard, the Europe General Director of Sotheby’s.
Roaming through the furniture, visitors can almost sense the effervescence of festive evenings, hear the delicate clink of cutlery against fine china and the gentle brush of a spoon against a hollow plate adorned with a pheasant. These details narrate Mercury’s fervour for hosting his guests with the utmost care.
Among these treasures is a 1941 Wurlitzer jukebox, a metallic eagle whose heart pulsed to the beats of records from Ray Charles, Little Richard, and Bill Haley, loaded by the singer himself.
The handwritten drafts of Queen’s biggest hits, particularly that of “Bohemian Rhapsody”, are akin to sacred manuscripts, revealing the manifold directions contemplated by Mercury for this track originally titled “Mongolian Rhapsody”.
The centerpiece of this auction, a Yamaha piano acquired in 1975, stands as a sacrosanct altar upon which Mercury composed almost all his songs, starting from “Bohemian Rhapsody”. Sotheby’s values it between two and three million pounds sterling (2.3 – 3.5 million euros).
Mercury’s wardrobe, a kaleidoscope of flamboyant and audacious styles, offers a dazzling spectacle: jackets, shoes, glasses, sequined stage costumes, and even the yellow “Champion” tank top he wore at his last concert in 1986.
Another moving treasure is a poetry anthology, including some composed by Farrokh Bulsara – Mercury’s birth name.
“We acted as cultural archaeologists, opening suitcases and boxes, unearthing memories and attempting to reconstruct the life and personality of Freddie Mercury,” Cécile Bernard narrates.
In total, between 30,000 and 40,000 items will be auctioned off. Fenella Theis, from the books and manuscripts department, notes that “each piece is so autobiographical,” reflecting the myriad facets of the artist’s personality. A veritable treasure trove that paints the panorama of an extraordinary life and reveals the numerous layers of Freddie Mercury’s character.
Mary Austin, the artist’s inseparable friend and former companion is offering this precious collection for sale. The proceeds from this auction will be partly donated to foundations committed to the relentless fight against AIDS.
Cécile Bernard, commenting on this noble endeavor, portrays the artist as a passionate collector, an eager participant in auctions, akin to an insatiable treasure hunter. According to her, this auction is the most magnificent tribute, a resonating echo to “Freddie”, an ode to his love for art and his zest for life. It feels as if, through this sale, we manage to weave a golden thread linking the present to the memory of an unforgettable man.
With AFP
