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A notebook filled with Freddie Mercury’s song lyrics has sold for £277,000 at auction.
The Queen frontman’s handwritten lyrics were the highest-selling lot on day one of Propstore’s Music Live Auction.
The lines were from the recording sessions for Mercury’s debut solo album, Mr. Bad Guy (1985).
They featured in The Reinhold Mack Collection, an archive of personal gifts, recording memorabilia and handwritten lyrics highlighting the producer’s close friendship and creative partnership with Mercury.
Meanwhile, Noel Gallagher’s autographed Takamine FP460SC acoustic guitar, which he owned and played during Oasis’s 1996 MTV Unplugged performance, set a world record for the highest price achieved at auction for an Oasis acoustic guitar, selling for £226,800.
Michael Jackson’s black-and-gold military-style jacket, worn at multiple public appearances during the Dangerous and HIStory eras, sold for £226,800.
Offered as part of The Omer Bhatti Collection, the jacket came directly from the Norwegian rapper and dancer, to whom Jackson had given it.
Jackson’s sailor varsity jacket from the same collection sold for £56,700.
Tinted prescription glasses worn by John Lennon during his “lost weekend” – the 18-month period during which he was separated from Yoko Ono – sold for £126,000.
Also from The Reinhold Mack Collection, the Yamaha C3 grand piano played by Mercury, Queen, The Rolling Stones, Elton John and many other artists sold for £81,900.
Mercury’s stage-worn black wraparound embellished top and flared trousers worn during his sheer heart attack tour sold for £75,600.
Tears For Fears star Roland Orzabal’s Stratocaster which he used to compose “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” sold for £53,550.
The Beatles’ autographed framed Pan Am menu from their first flight to the US in 1964 sold for £50,400.
Pink Floyd’s autographed custom fender Stratocaster, used during the recording of their 1973 album The Dark Side Of The Moon, sold for £34,650.
Day one of the Music Live Auction made £2.5 million after the sale of all the items.
Mark Hochman, Propstore’s music specialist, said: “Setting a world record with Noel Gallagher’s MTV Unplugged guitar is a fantastic result for Propstore and a testament to the lasting connection fans have with Oasis.
“Freddie Mercury’s handwritten notebook offers an extraordinary glimpse into his songwriting, and seeing it fetch the day’s highest price was another highlight.
“From the Reinhold Mack archive to Michael Jackson’s iconic jackets, these results show how much collectors value pieces with a personal connection to the artists and their music.”
