Friars under the hammer
The onetime glorious famous Friars Club forever celebrated our 4-star big-time all-time A1 show business names: George Burns, Henny Youngman, Jackie Gleason, Don Rickles, Martin and Lewis, Joey Adams, Abbott and Costello, Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Larry King, Milton Berle, Jan Murray, George Jessel, Frank Sinatra — and a ton of others stamped US Prime.
Their club? A now shut, padlocked townhouse that was up for sale on 55th Street. Why? Bad manicures. Certain fingers collected certain things.
Ol’ Blue Buys
Mementos up for grabs all were taken at public tributes to the celebrity stars, like Sinatra. A bronze bust of him, at 10-by-10-by-18 ¹/₂ inches. Sinatra served years as abbot of the Friars Club. Dated 1946, it includes a flyer showing it was displayed in the club’s Frank Sinatra Room. Estimate $4,000 to $6,000.
Other memorabilia, all being sold through Julien’s Auctions includes:
Quentin Tarantino’s Dec. 1, 2010, Friars Club Roast framed poster, signed by roastmaster Samuel L. Jackson, Jerry Lewis, Cheech Marin, Patricia Arquette and Kathy Griffin. Estimate $1,000 to $2,000.
Larry King seating chart for his Nov. 14, 2011, testimonial dinner at the Friars Club. Signed by emcee Katie Couric, Don King, Wanda Sykes, Judge Judy, Donald Trump, Regis Philbin, Kathy Griffin and more. Or framed portrait 20-by-24 ¹/₄ inches. Bargain — $500. No?
The Friars Club went into foreclosure back in 2024. Northgate Real Estate Group
Maybe a silkscreen print of “Satchmo — Louis Armstrong” by LeRoy Neiman. Signed, and could be grabbed for $800.
Keep paddling
Other relics for the taking are framed Barbra Streisand photos. Black and white, likely from the early 1970s. Plus a 1980 color headshot. One is Streisand wearing a purple shirt. Cheap, could be grabbed for $400.
Jack Benny’s violin, crafted in 1911 in Dresden, and 23 inches long in a wooden case with red fabric background. A plaque reads, “With love, Jack Benny.” Donated to the Friars Club by opera singer Roberta Peters. Estimate $2,000 to $3,000. The buyer’s premium is 28%, and shipping, taxes and additional fees may apply.
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Other auctions past were four framed items relating to Sinatra — owned by Burt Reynolds. Black-and-white photo, signed and inscribed by Sinatra in blue marker that reads, “Dear Burt, Why don’t you cheer up and have a good time! Much Love, Francis Albert.”
There’s more. Crates more. Question being questioned by loyal old timers is: How did they get this stuff? Where was it?
Roasted dinner
The yearly Friars roasts were famous. Berle on Sinatra: “What a crowd this is. I’d use the word ‘mob’ but you know how sensitive Frank is.”
Rickles about Sinatra: “I think it was Johnny Carson who said: ‘Everything about Sinatra turns to gold. I’m afraid to go to the toilet with him.’ ”
And from comedian Joey Adams’ book “Here’s to the Friars” was Fred Allen to a caterer: “Your food is good but it gave me heartburn,” and then, “I expect that from the delicatessen.”
What old timers are questioning is: Where was this stuff? Who had it?