Freddie Mercury's Notebook of Handwritten Lyrics Will Be Sold at Auction

Anyone who's heard (and sung along with) "Bohemian Rhapsody" knows that Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was a songwriter extraordinaire. Now, one music fan has the opportunity to own the rock star's handwritten lyrics in a notebook being sold at auction by Bonhams.

According to The Guardian, the notebook will be included in an entertainment memorabilia auction this June. Used for three years near the end of Mercury's life, the book includes some full lyrics as well as fragments from a total of 19 songs that were recorded between 1988 and 1990, including fan favorites like "Too Much Love Will Kill You" and "The Show Must Go On." Written in red and blue ink, the pages reflect Mercury's state of mind as his health was deteriorating from HIV.

"We see and sell lyrics from all sorts of different artists but they tend to be one piece of paper for one song," Bonhams consultant specialist Stephen Maycock told The Guardian. "To have a notebook which contains tracks recorded over a three-year period is really exceptional. I can’t think of another one.”

The piece of music history is expected to sell for between roughly $72,000 and $100,000.

[h/t Guardian]

Images courtesy of Bonhams