Then the competition exploded, with a half-dozen bidding paddles raised in the London salesroom, followed by a flurry of bids online and by phone.
“The very piano on which ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was composed.
The instrument,” the auctioneer Oliver Barker intoned as the bidding paused after spiraling into seven figures.
Mercury composed many of Queen’s hits at the Yamaha.
It was originally estimated to sell for at least $2.5 million in Sotheby’s 59-lot evening auction of the most desirable pieces from the collection offered by the singer’s lifelong friend Mary Austin.
Persons:
’, Oliver Barker intoned, Barker’s, Freddie Mercury’s, Mercury, Mary Austin
Organizations:
Yamaha
Locations:
London, British