Freddie Mercury’s iconic Yamaha Baby Grand Piano that used to create hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” goes up for auction without reserve.
The piano’s value is said to fall between £2 million and £3 million.
Music enthusiasts and collectors alike are up for a treat as the iconic Yamaha Baby Grand Piano owned by the late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury is set to hit the auction block “without reserve.” Fans across the globe will have a chance to bid on this cherished musical relic.
Freddie Mercury, the British superstar and legendary vocalist of Queen, acquired the Yamaha Baby Grand Piano in 1975 after an extensive search for what he described as his “perfect piano.” It played an important role in the creation of some of Mercury’s greatest hits, including the timeless classic “Bohemian Rhapsody” and his final operatic masterpiece, “Barcelona.”
Sotheby’s, the prestigious auction house, estimates the piano’s value to fall between £2 million and £3 million. What sets this auction apart is its “without reserve” status, meaning there will be no minimum sale price. This decision was made in light of the overwhelming response to the recent “Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own” exhibition, which shows thousands of items from Mercury’s beloved home, Garden Lodge in Kensington, West London.
The idea to open the bidding without a reserve price came from Mary Austin, a close friend of Freddie Mercury, who has been entrusted with the care of his estate. Austin believes that this approach will enable a broader base of potential buyers to have the opportunity to own this treasured piece of music history. “More than anything, Mary wants the piano to go to a home where it will be loved, cherished, and enjoyed to the full,” Sotheby’s noted.
The proceeds from these auctions will provide collectors with a chance to own a piece of rock history. Part of the funds raised will be donated to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. This charitable gesture is particularly poignant as Freddie Mercury tragically passed away at the age of 45 in 1991 due to health complications related to AIDS.
