More than 1,500 items owned by Freddie Mercury will go on sale this summer after a month-long exhibition celebrating the flamboyant late singer’s remarkable life.

The collection includes original lyrics to some of his band Queen’s best-known songs and a selection of his dazzling stage costumes, paintings, and other private objects from the home he loved, Garden Lodge in Kensington, west London.

The pieces will go on display at Sotheby’s London from 4 August until 5 September, which would have been his 77th birthday, before six dedicated auctions starting the following day at the auction house.

Mercury died in 1991, aged 45, from complications related to AIDS, a day after he revealed he had been diagnosed with the illness.

Among the most highly valued items is a replica of St Edward’s Crown, the real version of which is to be worn by King Charles III at next month’s coronation.

Its accompanying cloak – in fake fur, red velvet and rhinestones – was made by the singer’s friend and costume designer Diana Moseley.

A consummate rock showman, Mercury wore them at the world-famous Live Aid concert in 1985, as well as the finale rendition of God Save The Queen during his last Queen tour – The Magic Tour in 1986.

The items are expected to fetch up to £80,000 at auction.

Previously unseen handwritten working lyrics to anthemic rock hit We Are The Champions – released in 1977 – which stretch over nine pages, are priced between £200-300,000.

Lyrics to another of Mercury’s hit songs, 1974’s Killer Queen, widely considered the turning point for the band, are also going under the hammer and expected to fetch up to £70,000.

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Mercury’s collection at Garden Lodge has remained largely untouched for around 30 years and highlights from the collection can be seen as it tours New York, London, Los Angeles and Hong Kong in June.

A live evening sale of some of the most significant items in the collection will take place on 6 September.

This will be followed by six other categorised auctions including stage items and objects he loved and lived with at Garden Lodge.

Olivia Barker, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe, said: “Freddie Mercury’s sensational life has left us with a rich array of artistic moments that still move and astound us, a legacy that, like his music, will live on forever.

“The focus will be as much on Freddie Mercury the showman, celebrating everything we already know about him, as on discovering his less well known private artistic passions.”

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