The British record collector magazine Record Collector has published several Top 20 to 100 “Worldwide Rarities” lists throughout the years for Queen and solo releases. The ones published between 1998 and 2000 can be found here. Some more lists have been published throughout the years with the last notable one being from 2021, but all were arguably incomplete. The collectors market changes on a regular basis. New items are being discovered every few months or years. Rare items are suddenly not so rare anymore because old warehouse stock was found or interest in a particular artist or release has increased or decreased, changing demand and thus an item’s value.
A small group of Queen collectors came up with the idea to compile a new contemporary list, covering not just Queen, but also the solo releases. Each list will be a Top 100 to ensure that as many releases will be covered as possible. To avoid the fact that many lists will be dominated by obscure one-off releases or test pressings, two main categories are introduced:
- General public releases: these include music formats which could be purchased in a shop, were handed out to radio stations or where released but then withdrawn again
- Non-general public releases: as expected, this one covers anything that was not made for the record buying audience. These include test pressings, acetates, special executive and non-public event releases and anything rumoured
Each of these two categories apply to every artist or band (Queen, The Cross, Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Roger Taylor) and will cover 100 of the most rare and expensive releases up to the date of this publication. This approach thus means that you will get up to 200 releases per artist! The only exception is for John, since his solo output is so small.
The Top 100 lists
Some words about these lists. The referenced values are all estimates and not written in stone. They are in most cases for (near) mint copies and based on (recent) sale values. Still, anyone can ask or pay for an item whatever he or she wants.
The title of a release in the lists can be a link to a relevant page (i.e. Discogs or Popsike) with further details including images, catalogue number, label information etc. You may even stumble upon an opportunity to buy such an item!
The thumbnails are clickable to see a larger version of the artwork if needed, but please note that many images are sourced from various places across the internet. This means that the quality is not always that great.
These lists furthermore are solely covering Freddie’s true solo work, including collaborations with Montserrat Caballé. This thus means that you will not find anything by Larry Lurex, nor compilations with various artists which feature one song by him.
General public releases
The below 100 entries cover those releases which were made available to the general public and radio stations in relation to Freddie’s solo work.
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 3.500 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Album) Green vinyl, unofficial? |
|
| #2 | 3.000 € | |
 | Living On My Own 1993, Ecuador, Vinyl (12″, Single) Pink vinyl, company sleeve |
|
| #3 | 1.400 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Germany, CD (5″, Single) CD was made in West Germany and used in the UK, 300 copies were signed by Freddie and used as promotional CDs |
|
| #4 | 1.100 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Single) Green vinyl, company sleeve |
|
| #5 | 1.000 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Bolivia, Vinyl (7″, EP) With unique sleeve, featuring four tracks |
|
| #6 | 900 € | |
 | I’m Sorry / The Golden Boy 1987, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Sampler, unique sleeve, A-side by Hothouse Flowers |
|
| #7 | 800 € | |
 | Barcelona 2012, EU, Vinyl (7″, Box Set) Numbered and limited to 200 copies, only available through the official Freddie Mercury online store, an additional 10 artist proofs exist as well |
|
| #8 | 750 € | |
 | How Can I Go On 1987, Hong Kong, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, single-sided, unique sleeve |
|
| #9 | 600 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Brazil, Vinyl (7″, Single) Unique sleeve |
|
| #10 | 600 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Sampler, single-sided, with black & white photocopied sleeve |
|
| #11 | 600 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Single) Red vinyl, company sleeve |
|
| #12 | 550 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, with obi |
|
| #13 | 500 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with folded colour promo sheet |
|
| #14 | 500 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with unique front insert |
|
| #15 | 500 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, with obi |
|
| #16 | 500 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, with folded colour promo sheet |
|
| #17 | 450 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Album) With obi |
|
| #18 | 430 € | |
 | Guide Me Home 1988, Japan, CD (3″, Single) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and “Sample” on the disc |
|
| #19 | 400 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You / Sense Of Purpose 1985, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, unique sleeve, B-side is by the artist Third World |
|
| #20 | 400 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, Japan, Cassette (Album) In-house sample cassette, unique sleeve |
|
| #21 | 300 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Bolivia, Vinyl (7″, Single) Company sleeve |
|
| #22 | 290 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, Germany, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, comes with an additional booklet in German |
|
| #23 | 290 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, Spain, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, comes with an additional booklet in Spanish |
|
| #24 | 280 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, Rarities 1 CD is mispressed, containing the music from the Rarities 3 CD |
|
| #25 | 275 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, France, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, comes with an additional 12-page booklet in French |
|
| #26 | 260 € | |
 | Remixes 1993, Bolivia, Vinyl (12″, Album) With unique picture sleeve |
|
| #27 | 260 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, Japan, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, comes with an additional 28-page booklet in Japanese |
|
| #28 | 250 € | |
 | It’s A Sin / The Great Pretender 1987, Hong Kong, Vinyl (12″, Single) Black vinyl with large picture labels, A-side by Pet Shop Boys |
|
| #29 | 250 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Shaped picture disc with plinth |
|
| #30 | 250 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, Italy, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s, comes with an additional 12-page booklet in Italian |
|
| #31 | 250 € | |
 | Never Boring 2019, EU, Vinyl (12″, Compilation) Picture disc, unnumbered sleeve, 2 known to exist |
|
| #32 | 225 € | |
 | The Golden Boy 1988, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo |
|
| #33 | 225 € | |
 | The Golden Boy 1988, Japan, CD (3″, Single) |
|
| #34 | 225 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 10 CD’s and 2 DVD’s |
|
| #35 | 200 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Costa Rica, Vinyl (12″, Album) With double-sided insert, featuring a photo and lyrics |
|
| #36 | 200 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, France, CD (5″, Single) Promo, card sleeve |
|
| #37 | 200 € | |
 | Guide Me Home 1988, Japan, CD (3″, Single) |
|
| #38 | 175 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Costa Rica, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, company sleeve |
|
| #39 | 175 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Taiwan, Vinyl (12″, Album) With double-sided insert, featuring a photo and lyrics |
|
| #40 | 150 € | |
 | Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Doublepack along with I Was Born To Love You 12″ single, shrinkwrapped with a round hype sticker |
|
| #41 | 150 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Japan, CD (5″, Album) With unique obi box and three bonus tracks |
|
| #42 | 150 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, USA, CD (5″, Album) Longbox |
|
| #43 | 150 € | |
 | It’s A Sin / The Great Pretender 1987, Hong Kong, Vinyl (12″, Single) Clear vinyl with large picture labels, A-side by Pet Shop Boys |
|
| #44 | 150 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, Zimbabwe, Vinyl (12″, Album) Additional print on sleeve |
|
| #45 | 150 € | |
 | Barcelona 1992, USA, CD (5″, Album) Longbox |
|
| #46 | 150 € | |
 | The Solo Collection 2000, EU, CD-R (5″, Compilation) Promo, 10 CD-R’s in individual wallets |
|
| #47 | 150 € | |
 | Never Boring 2019, Japan, CD (5″, Box Set) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on front and back and “Sample” on the disc |
|
| #48 | 140 € | |
 | The Golden Boy 1988, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, single-sided, with unique edit |
|
| #49 | 130 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1992, USA, CD (5″, Album) Longbox |
|
| #50 | 125 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Ecuador, Vinyl (7″, Single) In transparent company sleeve |
|
| #51 | 125 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Philippines, Vinyl (12″, Single) Die cut company sleeve with sticker |
|
| #52 | 125 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Zimbabwe, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #53 | 125 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 2006, Poland, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo |
|
| #54 | 120 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Japan, Vinyl (7″, Single) With unique picture sleeve |
|
| #55 | 120 € | |
 | How Can I Go On 1989, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Picture disc |
|
| #56 | 120 € | |
 | Barcelona 1992, Portugal, Vinyl (7″, Single) Medical promo, unique gatefold sleeve |
|
| #57 | 120 € | |
 | Living On My Own 1993, Ecuador, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, black vinyl |
|
| #58 | 100 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Venezuela, Vinyl (12″, Single) With unique picture sleeve, paired with Living On My Own |
|
| #59 | 100 € | |
 | Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) White label pressing, with stickered plain sleeve for instore play |
|
| #60 | 100 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Spain, Vinyl (7″, Single) Non-gatefold sleeve, Lufthansa sticker on front, promoting the new flight service Stuttgart-Barcelona |
|
| #61 | 100 € | |
 | How Can I Go On 1989, Germany, CD (5″, Single) |
|
| #62 | 100 € | |
 | Barcelona 1992, Colombia, Vinyl (12″, Album) With unique picture sleeve |
|
| #63 | 100 € | |
 | How Can I Go On 1992, France, CD (5″, Single) Cardsleeve |
|
| #64 | 100 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1992, Barbados, Vinyl (7″, Single) |
|
| #65 | 100 € | |
 | Time 1993, USA, CD (5″, Single) Promo, only comes with a back sleeve |
|
| #66 | 100 € | |
 | Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs – The Very Best Of Freddie Mercury Solo 2006, Japan, CD (5″, Compilation) Promo, regular commercial issue with promo sticker on back and Japanese text on discs indicating it is a sample, with obi |
|
| #67 | 100 € | |
 | Never Boring 2019, EU, Vinyl (12″, Compilation) Picture disc, numbered and limited to 2019 copies |
|
| #68 | 90 € | |
 | Hold On / A Change Is Gonna Come 1987, Germany, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, B-side is by Tina Turner, picture sleeves are not official |
|
| #69 | 90 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Uruguay, Cassette (Single) |
|
| #70 | 90 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, France, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, could arguably also be a test pressing |
|
| #71 | 90 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Philippines, Vinyl (12″, Single) |
|
| #72 | 90 € | |
 | How Can I Go On 1989, UK, CD (5″, Single) |
|
| #73 | 90 € | |
 | The Freddie Mercury Album 1992, Ecuador, Vinyl (12″, Album) Promo, with blue border on front, unique back sleeve |
|
| #74 | 90 € | |
 | Living On My Own 1993, Ecuador, Vinyl (12″, Single) Black vinyl, company sleeve |
|
| #75 | 90 € | |
 | Barcelona 2012, Japan, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 3 CD’s and 1 DVD |
|
| #76 | 85 € | |
_eu_vinyl_7_box_set_id179.jpg) | Messenger Of The Gods (The Singles) 2019, EU, Vinyl (7″, Box Set) Box set with 13 colored 7″ singles |
|
| #77 | 85 € | |
_us_vinyl_7_box_set_id180.jpg) | Messenger Of The Gods (The Singles) 2019, USA, Vinyl (7″, Box Set) Box set with 13 colored 7″ singles |
|
| #78 | 80 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, Costa Rica, Vinyl (7″, Single) Company sleeve |
|
| #79 | 80 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Spain, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, with unique picture sleeve, sticker with text in Catalan (“versió llarga”) |
|
| #80 | 75 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, South Korea, Cassette (Album) With slipcase |
|
| #81 | 75 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Taiwan, Cassette (Album) With unique picture sleeve |
|
| #82 | 75 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Mexico, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #83 | 75 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Philippines, Vinyl (12″, Album) Additional print on sleeve |
|
| #84 | 75 € | |
 | Time 1986, Philippines, Vinyl (7″, Single) Company sleeve |
|
| #85 | 75 € | |
 | Time 1986, Australia, Vinyl (12″, Single) |
|
| #86 | 75 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Spain, Vinyl (12″, Single) Promo, with unique picture sleeve, sticker with text in Spanish (“version larga”) |
|
| #87 | 75 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, Japan, Vinyl (12″, Single) With obi |
|
| #88 | 75 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, New Zealand, Cassette (Single) |
|
| #89 | 75 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, South Korea, Vinyl (12″, Single) With insert and obi |
|
| #90 | 75 € | |
 | The Freddie Mercury Album 1992, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #91 | 75 € | |
 | The Freddie Mercury Album 1992, Guatemala, Vinyl (12″, Album) |
|
| #92 | 75 € | |
_eu_cd-r_5_single_id235.jpg) | Love Kills (Sunshine People Remix 2006) 2006, EU, CD-R (5″, Single) Promo |
|
| #93 | 70 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, Canada, CD (5″, Album) |
|
| #94 | 70 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Ecuador, Vinyl (7″, Single) Promo, company sleeve |
|
| #95 | 70 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Embossed gatefold sleeve |
|
| #96 | 70 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1993, Italy, CD (5″, Single) |
|
| #97 | 70 € | |
 | Guide Me Home 2000, Germany, CD (5″, Single) Lancia Lybra TV ad Promo CD. “Freddy” misspelled |
|
| #98 | 70 € | |
 | Lover Of Life, Singer Of Songs – The Very Best Of Freddie Mercury Solo 2006, Japan, CD (5″, Compilation) With obi |
|
| #99 | 70 € | |
 | The Very Best Of Freddie Mercury Solo 2006, Japan, CD-R (5″, Compilation) Promo, 1 CD-R |
|
| #100 | 70 € | |
 | Barcelona 2012, EU, Misc (5″, Box Set) Box set with 3 CD’s and 1 DVD |
|
Wonderful! You’ve managed to reach the end of this Top 100 list! Hope it was worthwhile and in some way educative. On to the next one!
Non-General public releases
The next entries cover those releases which were not made available to the general public. These include test pressings, acetate discs, releases for special events, executive pressings and rumoured releases.
Unlike the previous list, this one “only” covers 37 items as there are not that many known, certain collectors tend to not share information about their collection or there are simply not that many of these type of releases for Freddie.
Nevertheless, have fun with this list. It is arguably the most interesting one with a lot of rarities and oddities!
| Details | Value | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | 7.000 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) White vinyl test pressing for the UK 12″ picture disc, one known to exist |
|
| #2 | 5.000 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Uncut picture disc test pressing, 12″ disc with 7″ grooves |
|
| #3 | 4.500 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Mispressed uncut picture disc test pressing, inner paper is torn in the middle, 12″ disc with 7″ grooves |
|
| #4 | 4.000 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Shaped picture disc, with surrounding cut out piece included, this piece was immediately thrown away at the Orlake pressing plant and is the only known copy |
|
| #5 | 3.750 € | |
 | The Great Pretender / Exercises In Free Love 1987, UK, Acetate (7″, Single) Two single-sided 7″ discs, Town House label, once owned by Freddie, hand-written labels, side A sold through Sotheby’s in September 2023 |
|
| #6 | 3.500 € | |
 | Barcelona 1992, Japan, CD (3″, Single) Reportedly only 50 copies were issued to record company executives after Freddie’s death |
|
| #7 | 3.000 € | |
 | The Freddie Mercury Album 1992, Ecuador, Vinyl (12″, Album) Rumoured, white vinyl |
|
| #8 | 2.800 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Uncut picture disc test pressing, 12″ disc with 7″ grooves |
|
| #9 | 2.500 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing, dated 19 JAN 1987, once owned by Freddie, with personal complimentary slip from Queen Productions Ltd, sold through Sotheby’s in September 2023 |
|
| #10 | 2.300 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing, dated 20 JAN 1987, once owned by Freddie, sold through Sotheby’s in September 2023 |
|
| #11 | 1.600 € | |
 | Barcelona / Exercises In Free Love 1987, UK, Acetate (7″, Single) Two single-sided 7″ discs, Town House label |
|
| #12 | 1.500 € | |
 | Mr. Bad Guy 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing, with sales presenter/proof sleeve featuring different artwork |
|
| #13 | 600 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1992, UK, Acetate (10″, Single) Single-sided, Abbey Road Studios label |
|
| #14 | 550 € | |
 | The Freddie Mercury Album 1992, Greece, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing |
|
| #15 | 500 € | |
 | It’s A Sin / The Great Pretender 1987, Hong Kong, Vinyl (12″, Single) White label black vinyl test pressing, A-side by Pet Shop Boys |
|
| #16 | 400 € | |
 | The Golden Boy 1988, UK, CD (5″, Single) Promo which comes in a black presentation box, it is unknown whether the box is genuine |
|
| #17 | 290 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) White label test pressing, with instore 12″ flat |
|
| #18 | 275 € | |
 | Love Kills 1984, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #19 | 270 € | |
 | Love Kills 1984, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #20 | 250 € | |
 | Barcelona 1988, UK, Vinyl (12″, Album) Test pressing |
|
| #21 | 230 € | |
 | Time 1986, Germany, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #22 | 225 € | |
 | Time 1986, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing, one-sided |
|
| #23 | 225 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, France, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing, picture sleeve with embossed promo stamp |
|
| #24 | 200 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing, with copyright statement on labels |
|
| #25 | 200 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, France, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #26 | 200 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, Germany, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #27 | 175 € | |
 | I Was Born To Love You 1985, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #28 | 175 € | |
 | Made In Heaven 1985, UK, Vinyl (12″, Single) White label test pressing, without instore 12″ flat |
|
| #29 | 150 € | |
 | Time 1986, Argentina, Vinyl (12″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #30 | 150 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1987, UK, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing |
|
| #31 | 150 € | |
 | Foolin’ Around 19??, Philippines, Vinyl (7″, Single) Test pressing, unofficial? |
|
| #32 | 125 € | |
 | Barcelona 1987, UK, Cassette (Single) With unique picture sleeve, CSI Awards |
|
| #33 | 125 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1992, UK, Master tape (Single) Sony Tape Master, for Dutch 4 track CD-single release |
|
| #34 | 125 € | |
 | Barcelona 2012, UK, CD-R (5″, Album) In-house reference CD-R, Metropolis Group Mastering label |
|
| #35 | 100 € | |
 | Living On My Own 1993, UK, Cassette (Single) Abbey Road Studios, dated 25 June 1993 |
|
| #36 | 70 € | |
 | The Great Pretender 1993, France, CD (5″, Single) 1 track test pressing, faceless disc, some copies come with a photocopied or printed sleeve |
|
| #37 | 40 € | |
 | In My Defence 1992, UK, Master tape (Single) Sony Tape Master, for part 2 CD-single release, note that the value only reflects the outer box as the tape might be lost |
|
This second list concludes the top rarities and collectables for Freddie. 137 items broken down into two categories, added through collaboration by a number of fans and collectors. It is expected that there are still some gems hidden in someone’s collection or information has gone lost over the years. But anything that may pop up this year, may be a candidate for next year’s list in case we decide to revise this topic.
For an overview of all available lists, please refer to the main article.
These Top 100 lists were created with the valuable input from the following people: Remy Hunter, Román Varady, Michael Ehrt, Jeroen Kooistra, Hugo Pedro-Martins, Agustin Risso, Fabio Baraldini, Paul Bird, Bill Carson, Ron Formela
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