Brian May’s Final Gift: The Queen Legend Leaves His Life’s Passion “to the Nation”
A Legacy of Music, Science, and Vision
Brian May — legendary guitarist of Queen and accomplished astrophysicist — has once again proven that his genius extends far beyond the stage. Now 77, May has made an emotional announcement about his personal legacy, revealing his plans for the Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy (BMAS) — an extraordinary collection that will one day be gifted to the nation.
On International Stereoscopy Day (June 21), May shared a heartfelt video and message on Instagram, unveiling his wish for the archive to continue after his death. “My hope in creating this archive is that it will be able to sustain itself after I’ve gone,” he wrote. “It will be a gift to the Nation.”
A Lifelong Fascination Born in Childhood
Stereoscopy — the 19th-century photographic technique that creates 3D images from two flat pictures — has been one of May’s deepest passions since childhood. His love for the art began when he was just 12 years old, after finding a stereoscopic card tucked inside a Weetabix cereal box. That small discovery would spark a lifelong fascination.
While studying Astronomy at Imperial College London in the 1960s, May began collecting vintage stereoscopic photographs, attending Christie’s auctions and digging through forgotten boxes in search of rare 19th-century gems. His collection grew to become one of the most extensive in the world, spanning scenes from Victorian Britain to the early 20th century.
Reviving a Forgotten Art Form
In 2008, May founded The London Stereoscopic Company (LSC) to revive public interest in stereoscopy. Through the LSC, he began publishing books and reproducing vintage 3D images for modern audiences. He even designed his own optical viewing device — the OWL stereoscope — allowing people to experience the wonder of 3D photography just as Victorians did more than a century ago.
His 2017 release Queen in 3D perfectly combined his dual passions for music and visual art. The book included stereoscopic images taken throughout Queen’s legendary career — from studio sessions to global tours — offering fans an intimate, multidimensional view of the band’s journey.
Over the years, May has authored or co-authored eight books under the LSC banner, each dedicated to preserving and celebrating the forgotten beauty of stereoscopic photography.
The Science and Emotion Behind the Art
May often describes stereoscopy as “the perfect meeting of science and art.” He has said that once someone experiences true 3D imagery, “you will never want to go back to flat pictures.” For him, the craft represents more than nostalgia — it’s a way to bridge human perception, imagination, and history.
Through his archive, May has ensured that generations to come can experience the same sense of wonder that first captivated him as a boy. “The Brian May Archive of Stereoscopy is the greatest — and only — archive of its kind in Britain,” he emphasized.
A Gift That Will Outlive Him
The BMAS, now a registered charitable organization, houses thousands of stereoscopic photographs, rare equipment, and educational materials. It also serves as a research center and exhibition space, preserving a crucial part of visual history that might otherwise have faded into obscurity.
By bequeathing the archive to the public, May ensures that his personal collection will remain a living museum — a cultural treasure available to artists, historians, and dreamers for generations to come.
A Life Measured in More Than Music
Though best known for his soaring guitar solos on songs like Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You, Brian May’s intellectual and creative pursuits have always gone far beyond music. From earning a Ph.D. in astrophysics to working with NASA on space missions, and now preserving Victorian 3D photography, May’s life reflects an insatiable curiosity and reverence for discovery.
His announcement is not just about preparing for the future — it’s about gratitude. By giving his collection “to the Nation,” May leaves behind more than art; he leaves a legacy of learning, imagination, and heart.
A Legacy That Lives in Depth
As the sun sets on one of rock’s brightest stars, Brian May’s gift ensures his light will continue to shine — not only through Queen’s timeless music, but also through every stereoscopic image that lets viewers see the world in a little more depth.
“Once you’ve been bitten by 3-D,” he once said, “you’ll never go back.”
And thanks to Brian May, neither will the nation he has so profoundly inspired.
