MOSCOW, September 8. The vest of the lead singer of the British rock band Queen, Freddie Mercury, was sold at Sotheby's for 139.7 thousand pounds sterling (17.1 million rubles at the current exchange rate. – Editor's note), according to the auction house's website. 
“”Silk vest with portraits of Freddie Mercury's six cats, painted by Nerissa Ratcliffe. Estimate: 5-7 thousand pounds sterling. Lot sold for 139.7 thousand pounds sterling,” – Sotheby's reports.
It is noted that the final cost was 20 times higher than the estimated value.
At the auction held this Wednesday in London, 59 lots belonging to the famous musician were presented.
Thus, fans and connoisseurs of the work of the Queen member purchased drafts of the lyrics of the group’s songs, including Bohemian Rhapsody (1.4 million pounds sterling) and We Are The Champions (317 thousand pounds), as well as personal belongings of Mercury.
In addition to the silk vest, one of the most interesting lots was the musician’s robe and crown, which he wore at concerts. They were sold for 635 thousand pounds.
Before the auction, Sotheby’s organized an exhibition with the musician’s belongings. Over the course of a month, 140 thousand people visited it.
Queen gained popularity in the mid-1970s and became one of the most successful bands in the history of rock music.
The band's frontman Freddie Mercury died in London on November 24, 1991 from pneumonia that developed as a result of HIV infection.
