Unseen for 30 years: See Freddie Mercury beyond the public eye, ‘in a different kind of world’
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It's a little-known fact, but legendary rockstar Freddie Mercury had an incredibly eclectic taste and diverse hobbies outside his on-stage antics.
Never before have we had such an intimate insight into the life of Freddie Mercury, the celebrated frontman of the rock band Queen.
And for the first time in more than 30 years, Freddie Mercury’s private photo album and possessions will be sold at a series of auctions which began on the 5th of September, the late rockstar’s 77th birthday.
It may come as a surprise to some that he was into antiques and Japanese art. Mercury also had a major love for cats and loved to curl up at home with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.
All these and more are seen in 260 of his personal photographs, which are being released as part of a Sotheby’s auction.
As David Macdonald, Senior Director at Sotheby’s in London, commented when presented to the press, 'They’re very, very biographical, but perhaps not in the way you might expect.'
'He’s sitting in the kitchen with a cat, or there’s a photo of a vase, friends in the garden chatting. It’s a different kind of world.'
This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the real Freddie Mercury, who—contrary to public belief—wasn’t a wild party animal who ran rampant in his London mansion, Garden Lodge.
'At Garden Lodge, he was actually more likely to ask guests "Can you please use a coaster?"' Macdonald added.
'There's something very interesting about polaroids because there's such a transient moment in life,' Macdonald said.
'They've been in the darkness for 30 years, actually longer, and to have them out in the light and to share them with people for this moment is quite special.'
'So much has already been written and discussed about Freddie Mercury in the past 30 years, but perhaps never before have we had the privilege of coming so close to illuminating his personal world, something only known until now by his nearest and dearest.'
But what makes this collection of photos really special is that they were selected by his friend and former fiancée, Mary Austin, who has rarely spoken to the public about Mercury since his death.
But as it was 'time to put her affairs in order', she agreed to sell the items earlier this year. Items include a baby grand piano, original song lyrics for some of Queen’s biggest hits, and a range of paintings.
The auction will be open to general public bidding and is expected to fetch millions of pounds in revenue—some of which will be donated to various charities.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out Sotheby’s website for a complete list of items to be auctioned.
What is your favourite memory (or song!) of Freddie Mercury? Share them with us in the comments below!
Never before have we had such an intimate insight into the life of Freddie Mercury, the celebrated frontman of the rock band Queen.
And for the first time in more than 30 years, Freddie Mercury’s private photo album and possessions will be sold at a series of auctions which began on the 5th of September, the late rockstar’s 77th birthday.
It may come as a surprise to some that he was into antiques and Japanese art. Mercury also had a major love for cats and loved to curl up at home with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other.
Freddie Mercury’s photos and possessions will be auctioned this September. Image source: Sotheby’s.
All these and more are seen in 260 of his personal photographs, which are being released as part of a Sotheby’s auction.
As David Macdonald, Senior Director at Sotheby’s in London, commented when presented to the press, 'They’re very, very biographical, but perhaps not in the way you might expect.'
'He’s sitting in the kitchen with a cat, or there’s a photo of a vase, friends in the garden chatting. It’s a different kind of world.'
This is an incredible opportunity to learn more about the real Freddie Mercury, who—contrary to public belief—wasn’t a wild party animal who ran rampant in his London mansion, Garden Lodge.
'At Garden Lodge, he was actually more likely to ask guests "Can you please use a coaster?"' Macdonald added.
'There's something very interesting about polaroids because there's such a transient moment in life,' Macdonald said.
'They've been in the darkness for 30 years, actually longer, and to have them out in the light and to share them with people for this moment is quite special.'
Some of Freddie Mercury’s photographs will be sold at Sotheby’s auction. Image source: Sotheby’s.
'So much has already been written and discussed about Freddie Mercury in the past 30 years, but perhaps never before have we had the privilege of coming so close to illuminating his personal world, something only known until now by his nearest and dearest.'
But what makes this collection of photos really special is that they were selected by his friend and former fiancée, Mary Austin, who has rarely spoken to the public about Mercury since his death.
But as it was 'time to put her affairs in order', she agreed to sell the items earlier this year. Items include a baby grand piano, original song lyrics for some of Queen’s biggest hits, and a range of paintings.
'The collection takes you deeper within the individual and the man I knew,' Ms Austin said.The auction will be open to general public bidding and is expected to fetch millions of pounds in revenue—some of which will be donated to various charities.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can check out Sotheby’s website for a complete list of items to be auctioned.
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. Did they even have a bad song.
