Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury Exhibition: An Inside Look

In September 2023, Sotheby’s London presented Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own. This auction was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore and bid on a global icon’s stage costumes, personal belongings, music memorabilia and art collection. Moreover, a month-long public exhibition preceded the series of auctions, giving visitors access to the legendary Queen frontman’s artefacts he collected over fifty years. I had the chance to attend the opening of the exhibition. So, here’s a look inside Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury exhibition.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: An Inside Look
Figure 1

About Sotheby’s “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own” Exhibition

For just one month leading up to Sotheby’s auction, the “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own” exhibition showcased various aspects of Mercury’s public and private life, career, and influence on music and popular culture (see Figure 1). Surprisingly, his costumes, outfits, personal belongings, music memorabilia, and art collection were all on display and for sale (see Figures 2 & 3).

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Costumes
Figure 2
Figure 3

Exhibition Highlights

The following list outlines some significant items and noteworthy aspects of Sotheby’s auction/exhibition dedicated to Freddie Mercury:

1. Freddie Mercury’s Costumes and Stage Outfits

Freddie Mercury’s stage presence was extravagant and flamboyant, accompanied by unique and elaborate costumes and outfits (see Figure 4). His fashion sense was undeniably integral to his on-stage persona and established him as an iconic rock star. The exhibition displayed (and later sold) many of Freddie’s stage costumes and outfits worn during Queen’s performances (see Figure 5).

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Costumes
Figure 4
Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: T-Shirts
Figure 5

2. Freddie Mercury’s Personal Belongings

Freddie had a life filled with music, art, and creativity. Thus, he acquired many things throughout his lifetime. His personal belongings, memorabilia, and letters/notes from friends, family, and fans also offer insights into his private life and personality. As you’d expect, many of Freddie’s personal belongings appeared in the exhibition (see Figures 6 & 7)

Figure 6
Figure 7

Freddie Mercury was also known to have a fondness for cats. He reportedly had several feline companions and was particularly attached to them. One of his most famous cats was named Delilah (see Figure 8), whom he wrote a song about on Queen’s 1991 album “Innuendo.” The song “Delilah” is a playful ode to his beloved feline companion.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Cat
Figure 8

3. Queen Music Memorabilia

Visitors could also view rare photographs, album covers, and other music-related memorabilia relating to Queen’s discography (see Figures 9 & 10). Moreover, memorabilia associated with Freddie’s solo work was also for sale.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Music Memorabilia
Figure 9
Figure 10

Freddie Mercury’s Yamaha piano was significant in his life and career (see Figure 11). He had an affinity for this instrument and used it extensively in his songwriting and performances. One of the most notable instances of its significance is its role in creating the iconic song “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Yamaha Piano
Figure 11

4. Freddie Mercury’s Art Collection

Mercury was not just a talented musician. He also had a deep appreciation for art and diverse tastes. For example, he was particularly fond of Japanese art and culture. Together with the works of Salvador Dali (see Figure 12), Marc Chagall and Pablo Picasso (see Figure 13). This interest in different forms of creativity further highlights Mercury’s artistic sensibilities.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Dali Paintings
Figure 12
Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Picasso
Figure 13

5. Biographical Information

The exhibition concluded with information panels, timelines, and narrative segments detailing Mercury’s life journey, from childhood to his rise to fame with the rock band Queen (see Figure 14).

Figure 14

Sotheby’s Exhibition Fosters Freddie Mercury’s Legacy

Freddie Mercury’s powerful and versatile voice, flamboyant stage presence, and charismatic personality made him one of the most iconic and influential figures in the history of rock music (see Figure 15). People celebrate his incredible vocal range and ability to switch between various musical genres, including rock, opera, pop, and more. Moreover, Mercury’s legacy continues to endure through Queen’s music and his indelible mark on entertainment. Consequently, he remains an iconic and beloved figure (see Figure 16), remembered not only for his extraordinary musical talents but also for his charisma, showmanship, and the joy he brought to countless fans.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: An Inside Look
Figure 15
Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: An Inside Look
Figure 16

Summary

In short, Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury exhibition pays homage to the legendary musician’s contributions, providing fans insight into his creative legacy. The exhibition was, without a doubt, a must-see attraction for devoted Queen fans (see Figures 17 & 18). It also presented an opportunity for music memorabilia collectors to acquire rare and valuable items—although they came with a hefty price!

Figure 17
Figure 18

Sotheby’s Freddie Mercury Exhibition – Photos

Finally, view more photos I took at the “Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own” exhibition below.

Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition
Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Personal Items
Sotheby's Freddie Mercury Exhibition: Adidas Shoes
Fuck Dancing Lets Fuck T-Shirt

Where

Freddie Mercury: A World of His Own” exhibition, Sotheby’s, London

When

August 2023.

What

I used the Ricoh GR point-and-shoot compact digital camera.

Did you find this post enjoyable? If so, please show your support by liking and sharing. Thank you!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

My Instagram

@popesphotos
  • loneliness
-
#bnw 
#loneliness 
#minimal 
#bnwminimalism 
#bnwminimalismmag 
#minimalist 
#minimalism 
#bnwminimal 
#streetphotography 
#bnwstreetphotography
  • 'Great Value Rooms' Margate!
-
#margate #derelict #derelictplaces #derelictbuilding #abandoned #urbex #abandonedplaces #urbexphotography #lostplaces #urbexworld #abandonedphotography #urbanexplorer #forgottenplaces #urbanexploring #abandonedbuilding
  • The Diskery record shop, Birmingham (before the move).
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #birmingham #highstreet
  • Two women looking at dead sheep at a county show!
-
#bcncollective
#myspc
#sdpcollective
#Spicollective
#documentaryphotography
#martinparr 
#streetphotography
#countyshow 
#magnumphotos 
#reportage 
#photojournalism
#photooftheday
#lensculture
  • Washington DC office worker on a red moped.
-
#streetmoment
#Spicollective
#sdpcollective
#street_macadam
#ig_streetclub
#minimal_streetphoto
#streetgallerymagazine
#moped 
#maydaidia
#bcncollective
#spgcaptures
#streetphotographybrazil
#streetshared
#sharingstreets
#streetrepeat
#streetleaks
#streetsacademy
#streetclassics
  • Canal boat lights
-
#abstractphotography #abstract #abstractart #photography #art #abstractphoto #contemporaryart #fineartphotography #minimal #streetphotography #abstractartist #experimentalphotography #photooftheday #artphotography #contemporaryphotography #minimalism #abstractphotoart #abstracts #fineart
  • Eggs £1.
-
Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #eggs #easter
  • Jogger on beach
-
Contax G2 + Kodak Portra 160
-
#minimal #35mmfilm #kodakportra160 #contaxg2
  • Bowl of sweets.
-
Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #sweets
  • Two Trainspotters | Sheffield Park
-
Contax G2 + Kodachrome 64
_
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodachrome #kodachrome64 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #trainspotters #sheffieldpark #trainstation
  • Women praying the World won't end!
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #bcncollective
#eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve
#sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #endoftheworld #fortheearth
  • Vinyl Lovers!
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #bcncollective
#eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve
#sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography
loneliness
-
#bnw 
#loneliness 
#minimal 
#bnwminimalism 
#bnwminimalismmag 
#minimalist 
#minimalism 
#bnwminimal 
#streetphotography 
#bnwstreetphotography
loneliness - #bnw #loneliness #minimal #bnwminimalism #bnwminimalismmag #minimalist #minimalism #bnwminimal #streetphotography #bnwstreetphotography
9 months ago
View on Instagram |
1/12
'Great Value Rooms' Margate!
-
#margate #derelict #derelictplaces #derelictbuilding #abandoned #urbex #abandonedplaces #urbexphotography #lostplaces #urbexworld #abandonedphotography #urbanexplorer #forgottenplaces #urbanexploring #abandonedbuilding
'Great Value Rooms' Margate! - #margate #derelict #derelictplaces #derelictbuilding #abandoned #urbex #abandonedplaces #urbexphotography #lostplaces #urbexworld #abandonedphotography #urbanexplorer #forgottenplaces #urbanexploring #abandonedbuilding
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
2/12
The Diskery record shop, Birmingham (before the move).
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #birmingham #highstreet
The Diskery record shop, Birmingham (before the move). - Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9. - #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #birmingham #highstreet
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
3/12
Two women looking at dead sheep at a county show!
-
#bcncollective
#myspc
#sdpcollective
#Spicollective
#documentaryphotography
#martinparr 
#streetphotography
#countyshow 
#magnumphotos 
#reportage 
#photojournalism
#photooftheday
#lensculture
Two women looking at dead sheep at a county show! - #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #martinparr #streetphotography #countyshow #magnumphotos #reportage #photojournalism #photooftheday #lensculture
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
4/12
Washington DC office worker on a red moped.
-
#streetmoment
#Spicollective
#sdpcollective
#street_macadam
#ig_streetclub
#minimal_streetphoto
#streetgallerymagazine
#moped 
#maydaidia
#bcncollective
#spgcaptures
#streetphotographybrazil
#streetshared
#sharingstreets
#streetrepeat
#streetleaks
#streetsacademy
#streetclassics
Washington DC office worker on a red moped. - #streetmoment #Spicollective #sdpcollective #street_macadam #ig_streetclub #minimal_streetphoto #streetgallerymagazine #moped #maydaidia #bcncollective #spgcaptures #streetphotographybrazil #streetshared #sharingstreets #streetrepeat #streetleaks #streetsacademy #streetclassics
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
5/12
Canal boat lights
-
#abstractphotography #abstract #abstractart #photography #art #abstractphoto #contemporaryart #fineartphotography #minimal #streetphotography #abstractartist #experimentalphotography #photooftheday #artphotography #contemporaryphotography #minimalism #abstractphotoart #abstracts #fineart
Canal boat lights - #abstractphotography #abstract #abstractart #photography #art #abstractphoto #contemporaryart #fineartphotography #minimal #streetphotography #abstractartist #experimentalphotography #photooftheday #artphotography #contemporaryphotography #minimalism #abstractphotoart #abstracts #fineart
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
6/12
Eggs £1.
-
Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #eggs #easter
Eggs £1. - Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200 - #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #eggs #easter
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
7/12
Jogger on beach
-
Contax G2 + Kodak Portra 160
-
#minimal #35mmfilm #kodakportra160 #contaxg2
Jogger on beach - Contax G2 + Kodak Portra 160 - #minimal #35mmfilm #kodakportra160 #contaxg2
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
8/12
Bowl of sweets.
-
Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #sweets
Bowl of sweets. - Contax G2 + Fuji Superia 200 - #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #fujisuperia200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #sweets
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
9/12
Two Trainspotters | Sheffield Park
-
Contax G2 + Kodachrome 64
_
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodachrome #kodachrome64 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #trainspotters #sheffieldpark #trainstation
Two Trainspotters | Sheffield Park - Contax G2 + Kodachrome 64 _ #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodachrome #kodachrome64 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #contaxg2 #bcncollective #myspc #sdpcollective #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #trainspotters #sheffieldpark #trainstation
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
10/12
Women praying the World won't end!
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #bcncollective
#eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve
#sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #endoftheworld #fortheearth
Women praying the World won't end! - Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9. - #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #bcncollective #eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve #sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography #endoftheworld #fortheearth
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
11/12
Vinyl Lovers!
-
Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9.
-
#ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #bcncollective
#eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve
#sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography
Vinyl Lovers! - Kodak Gold 200 + Ricoh FF-9. - #ishootfilm #35mmphotography #kodakfilm #kodakgold200 #35mmfilm #35mm #istillshootfilm #filmisnotdead #filmisnotdeadil #filmphotography #35mmfilmphotography #ricohff9 #vinyl #vinylrecords #vinylrecord #recordshop #bcncollective #eyeshotmag #myspc #photoobserve #sdpcollective #spgcaptures #Spicollective #documentaryphotography
1 year ago
View on Instagram |
12/12