Mustache comb and stage costumes: Freddie Mercury's possessions at auction

UPDATE DAY

More than 1,500 items that belonged to Queen singer Freddie Mercury will be auctioned more than 30 years after the artist's death. 

“We see the specter of his taste there. It's a really smart and sophisticated collection,” said one of his oldest friends, Mary Austin, to whom the lead singer of the Queen bequeathed all his assets in 1991, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

Paintings by famous artists – including Pablo Picasso and James Tissot –, extravagant stage costumes, a small silver mustache comb: the imposing collection of objects will be exhibited at Sotheby's in London during the summer, before to be auctioned in September. 

“I like to be surrounded by beautiful things,” he said one day, according to Mary Austin. I want to lead the Victorian life, surrounded by exquisite disorder.”

Among the items is the famous red velvet crown, a replica of the St Edward's crown worn by the first King Charles at his coronation, which the singer wore while touring with Queen in the 1980s.  

The latter is estimated between £60,000 to £80,000, the equivalent of approximately $100,000 to $135,000. 

It will also be possible to put hand-written manuscript of the lyrics, harmonies and chords of the song “We are the Champions”, handwritten by the singer on nine pages. The latter could reach the sum of approximately $340,000 to $510,000. 

“You are looking at the process of the artist, of the work in progress. The erasures, the redesign, the reformatting, added her great friend. The collection takes you deeper into the individual and the man I once knew.” 

The auction is expected to fetch over £6m – over $10m – and part will be donated to charity.