Last week in London, Freddie Mercury – musical instruments, works of art, furniture, and clothing – were auctioned off. The collection was divided into six auctions – three in person in the British capital and three online. In total, 1,500 items were made available.
In the first in-person auction, the piano Freddie played at home went to an anonymous buyer for the equivalent of R$10 million . The crown and red robe worn at the end of each show on the Magic in 1986, the singer's last with Queen, were bought by Brazilian Rafael Reisman for 500,000 pounds.
The Brazilian businessman, who has already produced the largest exhibition of Elvis Presley memorabilia outside of Graceland, represented a group of international investors at the auction with whom he will produce a large immersive exhibition about the star, to be held in Brazil and then tour the world.
The group of foreign investors, represented by Rafael Reisman, acquired approximately 40 items.
The Brazilian TV program Fantástico , on TV Globo, covered the auction and interviewed Rafael. See the video of the interview at the end of the article. “It was difficult to contain the anxiety and emotion; these were the most important pieces of clothing of his entire career. This image is as ingrained in our minds as Michael Jackson Elvis Presley 's eagle jumpsuit ,” says the businessman.
Auction featuring items belonging to Freddie Mercury.
The items, which were put up for sale by Mary Austin, were sold for a total of £12.2 million (R$7.7 million). They included costumes, jewelry, and paintings from the singer's extensive art collection.
When Freddie died in 1991, he left the house and all its contents to Mary. For three decades, Austin kept everything almost exactly as it was when Mercury died, but now she has decided to sell the collection.
Commenting on the decision, she wrote in a press release: “For many years, I have had the joy and privilege of living surrounded by all the wonderful things that Freddie sought and loved so much,” Austin said in a statement. “But the years have passed and the time has come to make the difficult decision to close this very special chapter of my life.”
When Freddie died in 1991, he left the house and its contents to Mary, his former girlfriend and longtime friend. For three decades, Austin kept the house and its contents almost exactly as they were when Mercury died, but now she has decided to sell the collection.
Austin will donate a portion of the sales proceeds to the HIV/AIDS charities Mercury Phoenix Trust and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
