LONDON — Freddie Mercury’s prized piano that he used to compose “Bohemian Rhapsody” and other hits by Queen sold for more than $2 million on Wednesday as some of the late singer’s massive collection of flamboyant stage costumes, fine art and original lyrics were auctioned in a sale that broke records.
The eclectic collection of objects were amassed by Mercury after Queen’s glam-rock produced an avalanche of hits that allowed the singer to achieve his dream of living a Victorian life “surrounded by exquisite clutter.” Depending how you looked at it, the champions of the night may have been Sotheby’s or Austin or a few charities she’s promised to donate an undisclosed portion of the proceeds to.
All of the proceeds of the sale of a Cartier onyx and diamond ring given to Mercury by his friend, Elton John, that sold for 273,000 pounds were to go to the “Rocket Man” singer’s AIDS charity. Even items being sold online that had seemed like they might be in reach for some average buyers eclipsed pre-sale estimates.