A notebook Freddie Mercury used to write down ideas for lyrics between 1988 and 1990 is up for auction.

The lot is estimated to bring in around £50,000-70,000 ($72,000-100,800) when it sells on June 29.

Freddie Mercury used the notebook between 1988 and 1990

It includes the original lyrics to Too Much Love will Kill You and his swansong The Show Must Go On.

In 1987 Mercury was diagnosed with HIV. By 1991 it had developed into AIDS, leading to his untimely death.

Stephen Maycock of Bonhams explains: "We see and sell lyrics from all sorts of different artists but they tend to be one piece of paper for one song.

"To have a notebook which contains tracks recorded over a three-year period is really exceptional. I can't think of another one."

"It is a poignant record of that period but it also struck me that it is a testament to the creative energy in the band.

"Despite his illness and increasing frailty the ideas were still there.

"His performance on that last album was remarkable considering how frail he was, his vocal powers on some of the tracks are just extraordinary…he did have this incredible drive."

Memorabilia relating to Mercury is rare and the poignancy of the present lot is likely to make it a hit with bidders.

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