Freddie Mercury's private collection in main exhibition at Sotheby's London from tomorrow.

Freddie Mercury's private collection in main exhibition at Sotheby's London from tomorrow

Düsseldorf, 3 August 2023

By Lizzie Mauer

From tomorrow, 4 August the complete private collection of Freddie Mercury's will be on show at Sotheby's London in New Bond Street.

From the life of a very art-loving person.

"Freddie Mercury's collection is the expression of creativity, good taste and an unerring eye for beauty in the life of an extraordinary man."

©Richard Young: Freddie Mercury, Queen in Concert, Magic Tour, Wembley Stadium, London, 1986 www.richardyounggallery.co.uk

Courtesy of Sotheby's

Art Calendar, 3 August: Freddie Mercury was one of those rare stars who represented a global art event. He made his home at Garden Lodge in Kensington, West London. From tomorrow, the contents of Garden Lodge, which have been cultivated over the past three decades, will be made available to the public for the first time in a month-long exhibition at Sotheby's in London. The exhibition is 16,000 square feet and will culminate in six auctions in September. The exhibition opens at Sotheby's New Bond Street estate on 4 August and closes on his 77th birthday, 5 September. Prior to the London exhibition, the highlights travelled in a touring exhibition from New York, London, Los Angeles to Hong Kong.

The treasures of the estate

Mercury purchased the beautiful Georgian-style brick mansion in 1980, which had been built in the early 20th century for an artist and his wife, a sculptor. The home he furnished with beautiful works of art is said to have remained unchanged in the condition for 30 years. Mercury's collection ranges from Victorian paintings, works on paper by the greatest artists of the 20th century, glassmaking art, a medium he is said to have loved beyond measure. But also objects from his public life such as never-before-seen drafts of his song lyrics and some of the extravagant stage costumes.

A view of the Magnolia tree in the grounds of Garden Lodge Courtesy of Sotheby's

Freddie Mercury was very art-loving person

Mercury studied graphics and design at Ealing Art School, which undoubtedly shaped his love and appreciation for the arts, particularly the graphic arts. He also studied fashion and initially made his living selling vintage clothing and textiles from a market stand. Another great passion was Japan. Queen toured the country six times, and Mercury also returned there for personal trips.

"Love of his Life" Mary Austin

Freddie Mercury's eternal confidante and "Love of his Life", Mary Austin, was the guardian of his estate and had been appointed by him as his heiress. They had met in 1070 when she was a 19-year-old art student. Their engagement broke off after Mercury confessed to being homosexual. The two remained deeply involved until his untimely death in 1991 at the age of 45 after suffering the effects of AIDS. Mary Austin revealed that Mercury loved going to auctions and furnishing his house with objects of applied arts or print art."

English actress Jane Seymour in a white ballgown with Freddie Mercury, 1985. ©Dave Hogan, Hulton Archive, Getty Images

Courtesy of Sotheby's

The eye for beauty

Those who think of Mercury's staging and costumes as too flashy will be surprised by the collection. Oliver Barker, Chairman, Sotheby's Europe: "The Freddie Mercury collection is the expression of creativity, good taste and an unerring eye for beauty in the life of an extraordinary man. It offers so much more than an exquisite selection of the very best examples by artists from different centuries and countries.

The crown

One of the highlights is Mercury's Royal Crown, a replica of the St Edward's Crown created by Diana Mosley, Freddie Mercury's costume designer. The singer was given the crown at the end of each show on the 1986 "Magic Tour" with Queen, when he sang "God Save The Queen" in an ermine-trimmed cape. It is now arguably the second most important crown to be seen this year, after King Charles' coronation. The estimate price is £60,000 - 80,000.

But there could also be something for the smaller purse. Mercury's bakelite telephone from the 1980s, which he kept next to his bed, has an estimated price: £2,000 - 4,000. Or you might be interested in his small silver moustache comb by Tiffany & Co, late 20th century. estimated price: £400 - 600.

"The most important thing... is to lead a fabulous life."

Freddie Mercury

Courtesy of Sotheby's

Freddie Mercury’s 1980s vintage white telephone Courtesy of Sotheby's