Mercury's Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano and Lennon's Baldwin Concert Grand Model D Piano will be auctioned off in two separate sales in September
Two pianos belonging to two of the 20th century's biggest pop stars are set to be auctioned off this September for staggering fees.
Freddie Mercury
©Sotheby's
Freddie Mercury's Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano will be up for grabs at Sotheby's in London on 6 September. This piano was reportedly the first instrument that Freddie ever owned, and was the piano upon which some of his greatest ever hits were written – including Bohemian Rhapsody. He purchased the piano in 1975 for approximately £1,000 and it remained in his possession until his death in 1991.
The G2 has a bright, ebonised polyester case, square tapered legs, brass castors and faux-ivory keys. Sotheby's states that, "Freddie loved its easy keyboard action, plangent sound and elegant look, keeping it close at hand for the rest of his life."
It expected to be sold for a whopping estimate of £2,000,000-£3,000,000, with bidding starting at £1,000,000. Anyone got a spare few million lying around?
The auction event will also feature many more items from Freddie's collection, including an autographed manuscript draft of lyrics for 'Bohemian Rhapsody'. This is set to be auctioned off for between £800,000 and £1,200,000.
More information on the auction can be found here.
An autographed manuscript draft of lyrics for 'Bohemian Rhapsody' lay on top of Freddie Mercury's Yamaha G2 Baby Grand Piano. ©Sotheby's
John Lennon
©Alex Cooper
John Lennon's Baldwin Concert Grand Model D Piano will be auctioned off on 30 September at Alex Cooper Auctioneers in Maryland, USA.
This "Lennon - Ono - Green - Warhol Piano" has a fascinating history.
Lennon initially purchased the piano from the Baldwin factory in New York City, 1978. A year later, Lennon and Yoko Ono gifted the piano to their long-time friend Sam Green.
For many years, the piano stayed in Green's home in NYC. He comments, "I, Sam Green, had a professional and personal relationship with John and Yoko. They would often visit and stay at my house in Fire Island, NY. Yoko thought the creative atmosphere here would help inspire John in writing songs for their new album."
In 1983, Green then loaned the piano to none other than Andy Warhol, who kept it on display at the Interview Magazine office in New York City. Four years later, he loaned it to the New York Academy of Art.
The piano is expected to be sold for £2,000,000-£3,000,000, with bidding starting at £1,000,000.
More information on this auction can be found here.
One of John Lennon's other pianos currently sits on the list of the world's most expensive pianos.
