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A flight case marked "YEL 4", which was used for Freddie Mercury's piano monitor rig during Queen's Live Aid performance and various tours. On 13 July 1985, around 72,000 people gathered in Wembley Stadium to witness the benefit concert Live Aid. Queen's 18-minute set gripped the crowd from start to finish, with classic hits and Mercury's improvised acapella section, where the audience sang in unison along to "Ay-Oh". Live Aid is remembered as one of rock history's greatest live performances. There is also photographic evidence of this case on the Hot Space Tour and the Magic Tour, and its "Tokyo Japan" freight sticker suggests it was used on the Works Tour, too. It is rare for touring items associated with Mercury to come to market, making this a sought-after piece of music history.

This case can be seen behind Mercury when he plays the piano at Live Aid during "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "We Are The Champions." The positioning of marks, paint wear, and stickers screen-match it to the footage, and the case can be seen on stage in photographs from the event. It can also be matched to photos from Queen's 1986 Magic Tour, and it is seen on stage in footage from their Wembley concert on 12 July 1986.

The case was purchased directly from Queen in the late 1990s when they vacated one of their warehouses in Maida Vale, London. Different numbers and colours were assigned to each band member and were used alongside a stage plan so the technical crew could efficiently set up for each show.

The case is made of plywood and metal, and its top and some of its sides are painted yellow, so the case could be immediately identified as Mercury's. It features plastic edging, four butterfly latches, handles at the sides, and wheels. The lid has "Yel 4" and "Queen" stencilled in black, a "Tokyo Japan" freight sticker and a worn pink sticker which appears to have "Queen 2" written on it. "Queen Productions Ltd" and the company's London address are stencilled in white on two sides, and one edge is labelled "Piano". The case has a foam interior lining, which shows notable signs of age. The lot displays general signs of scuffing and marks from use on tour. The yellow paint has chipped and worn away in places over time, and the metal exhibits corrosion due to its age. Dimensions: 87 cm x 70 cm x 72.5 cm (34.25" x 27.5" x 28.5")

Estimate: £15,000 - 30,000 M



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