Freddie Mercury's Ivor Novello award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 1975/1976

Freddie Mercury's Ivor Novello award for 'Bohemian Rhapsody', 1975/1976

A bronze statuette of Euterpe, muse of music and lyric poetry, designed by Hazel Underwood, on stepped circular black wooden plinth, the base of the statuette engraved ‘IVOR NOVELLO AWARD’, the plinth with brass plaque engraved FREDDIE MERCURY / BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY / BEST SELLING BRITISH RECORD/ 1975-1976

30 cm. high x 7 cm. diam; 11.8in. x 2.75in.

The 21st Ivor Novello Awards were held at the Dorchester Hotel, London, 11 May, 1976, and there is a photograph of Freddie receiving his award included in lot 159.

‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ was released on 31 October, 1975 and by 24 January had held the No.1 position in the UK charts for nine weeks, the first time a single had achieved this feat since 1957 and sold over six million copies worldwide. In 2021 it was ranked at number 17 on Rolling Stone's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

Named in honour of Ivor Novello (1893-1951), Britain’s most successful and distinguished theatrical composer at the time, Ivor Novello Awards have been presented annually since 1956 for excellence in composition and songwriting and represent the ultimate in musical achievement and peer recognition in the industry. Voted for by members of the British Academy of Songwriters and Composers, the Ivor Novello Award is the equivalent of the American GRAMMY.

See lot 2041 for Freddie Mercury’s ‘Certificate Of Honour’ for ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

SPECIAL NOTICE

This lot is being sold for private use only. No right to reproduce or otherwise commercially exploit the copyright or other intellectual property in the lots is included with the sale of lot. Queen Productions Limited and Queen Music Limited and other rights holders reserve all their rights.