LONDON.- Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia sale includes the piano used to compose almost all of ABBA's greatest hits between 1972-1979.

The piano was purchased by ABBA and brought up to a small cottage on the island of Viggsö in the Swedish archipelago. The cottage, owned by band members Agnetha Fältskog and Björn Ulvaeus, became the base for ABBA's creative writing sessions.

Benny Andersson used to carry the piano up to the house in the winter, and again carry it back down to the small writing hut when spring arrived so that the group could play and compose all summer. It remained in the cottage until 1979 having been used by Andersson and Ulvaeus for the composition of most of the major ABBA hits in this period, including: Fernando, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, Money Money Money, Take a Chance on Me, The Name of the Game, Thank You for the Music, Voulez-vous, I Have a Dream, Does Your Mother Know and Chiquitita.

The hits scored on this piano in these defining years of pop music established ABBA as one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Benny Andersson modestly described the instrument as, “Not one of the best pianos I have played on, but it sure did the work well to compose some good songs on."

Natalie Downing, Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Specialist, said: “This model of piano was built small and light, so that it could be as portable as possible, enabling Benny to carry it up and down the hill at the band’s writing retreat.” The piano is offered at an estimate of £30,000-40,000.

Other items include:

• STAR WARS: Star Wars 1977 a rare advance one sheet poster, estimated at £800-1200; The Empire Strikes Back, 1980, an 'Intergalactic Passport', estimated at £300-400

• ED SHEERAN: One of the first Ed Sheeran collectors’ items to come to auction, a ‘Green T’ Fender Stratocaster, estimated at £4,000-6,000.

• BOB MARLEY: Bob Marley handwritten lyrics for ‘Keep On Movin’ (1977), estimated at £8,000-10,000

• FREE: The Gibson Les Paul Guitar owned by legendary musician, Paul Kossoff, who was the guitarist in ‘Free’, the 70s rock band of ‘All Right Now’ fame.

• WIZARD OF OZ: A blouse made for Judy Garland as Dorothy in the production, estimated at £20,000-30,000

All lots are included in Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia Sale, taking place 10 December.