Peter Hince is parting with a piece of Queen history after deciding to auction a gold microphone once given to him by Freddie Mercury. The item is among several keepsakes from Hince’s years with the band, where he worked first as a roadie and later as head of the road crew through Queen’s final concert with Mercury in August 1986.
The auction listing places the microphone at an estimated value of $39,600 to $79,200. It is described as a gold finished Shure 565 SD microphone that Mercury later used during a 1982 television appearance. Hince said the gift came after the singer received the award and handed it over with a joke, thanking him for looking after the band’s microphones and equipment.
Other items in the sale include a stage used tambourine and a backstage dressing gown. Hince said he is still keeping his most personal mementos, including awards, gold discs, tour itineraries, backstage passes, and a Christmas card that will remain with his family.