Freddie Mercury's Yamaha Grand Piano Is Expected to Sell for $528,000 USD
The Yamaha C3 grand piano was used at Musicland Studios to record ‘The Game,’ ‘Hot Space,’ and ‘The Works.’
Summary
Propstore is auctioning the historic Yamaha C3 grand piano Freddie Mercury used at Munich's Musicland Studios to compose Queen hits such as "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"
The instrument headlines the Reinhold Mack Collection, an 81-lot archive featuring the late singer's studio microphone and early handwritten lyrics
A historic Yamaha C3 grand piano played by legendary frontman Freddie Mercury is scheduled to go under the hammer as part of a major entertainment memorabilia sale. Mercury utilized the sleek instrument at the iconic Musicland Studios in Munich to write and record solo material as well as massive tracks for Queen albums including The Game, Hot Space and The Works. The auction house Propstore expects the musical centerpiece to sell for up to $528,000 USD. Beyond just serving as a studio tool, the piano represents a pivotal era in rock history where heavyweights like the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath also flocked to the German recording haven to craft their own seminal projects.
The upcoming sale features the Reinhold Mack Collection, a significant trove of 81 distinct items carefully preserved by the band’s longtime producer and his son Freddie Jr. Mack described the late singer as an extension of their own family who frequently used their Munich home to safely escape the intense pressures of global fame. Treasured pieces hitting the block include an AKG C414 EB microphone used specifically for Mercury’s lead and backup studio vocals, which carries a pre-sale estimate reaching $105,600 USD. Collectors will also have a rare opportunity to bid on original handwritten lyrics for early solo tracks like “My Love Is Dangerous” and “Let’s Turn It On.” The producer noted that his family held onto the archive for decades strictly for the sentimental memories rather than financial gain.
Bringing these historical artifacts to the open market highlights the massive enduring cultural weight of Queen’s creative process. The curated archive provides dedicated fans a highly personal connection to the charismatic star’s extraordinary artistry and his quiet moments away from the blinding stadium spotlights. Overall, the broader entertainment sale expects to draw roughly $4 million USD across its extensive catalog of industry history. Enthusiasts and prospective buyers can view the prized instrument along with the rest of the exclusive lots at a public exhibition inside the Cumberland Hotel in London starting September 23. The live bidding event officially commences on October 1 and concludes the following day.
