A collection of four original catalogues from Sotheby's sales held in 1988 which were previously owned by Freddie Mercury. The lot consists of the following catalogues:

The Andy Warhol Collection of Art Nouveau and Art Deco sale held in New York on the 23rd April 1988

Chinese Export Porcelain and Decorative Arts sale held in London on the 10th May 1988 and the 13th May 1988

The Return of Marco Polo Auction in the Forbidden City sale held in Beijing on the 5th June 1988

Post War and Contemporary Art held in London on the 30th June 1988

In the book 'Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own' which was sold by Sotheby's to accompany their Freddie Mercury auction in September 2023, they note that 'Freddie did not make purchases haphazardly. The collections within Garden Lodge were meticulously assembled... Freddie's collecting was shaped by private visits to auction house exhibitions and an obsession with the auction catalogues that Peter (Peter Freestone, Freddie's assistant) would source for him. "I would always check what auctions were coming up and the things that would interest him. I would then get the catalogue so he could have a look - carpets, furniture, crystal, artworks, everything. He'd mark up the lots he wanted and send me to bid. On the morning of the auction, I would take his tea up at nine o'clock and his cheque book with me, for him to sign, so I could go later on and bid for him."

The catalogues measure 21cm x 27cm (8.2 inches x 10.6 inches). The condition is very good.

Provenance: previously sold as part of lot 666 from the Freddie Mercury: A World Of His Own, At Home sale held at Sotheby's, New Bond Street, London on the 8th September. This item is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity on Tracks Ltd. letterhead stating the above.