A red satin kimono worn by legendary Queen frontman Freddie Mercury on stage in Edinburgh has fetched over £57,000 at auction — nearly ten times its estimate.
Mercury, who died in 1991, wore the flowing Japanese robe when Queen performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse in September 1976.
The long-sleeved Showa period kimono worn in Edinburgh featured red figured satin silk “decorated in tie-dye with scattered fans on a ground of chrysanthemums and scrolling karakusa”.
It went under the hammer at Sotheby’s, where it was expected to attract bids of around £6,000-9,000. It made £57,150 after a bidding war.
David Macdonald, Head of Single Owner Sales at Sotheby’s London, said: “This exquisite kimono was used during Queen’s short summer tour of 1976 — the band appeared at the Edinburgh Playhouse Theatre on 1 and 2 September.
“It is significant as it was acquired by Freddie in Japan on either the band’s first, or second tour of the country, either during the spring of 1975 or Spring of the following year. These two Japanese tours sparked a deep passion for Japan and its culture.
“The ‘Edinburgh’ piece was discovered with others in a large metal touring trunk in the attic of his home, Garden Lodge in West London during our valuation of the collection.”
He added: “Its appearance after more than 40 years is wonderful and the link with that Scottish performance is super.”
