NYC’s famous Friars Club got the ax — and some of – Latest News
Friars beneath the hammer
The onetime superb famous Friars Club without end 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 membership? A now shut, padlocked townhouse that was up for sale on fifty fifth Street. Why? Bad manicures. Certain fingers collected sure issues.
Ol’ Blue Buys
Mementos up for grabs all have been taken at public tributes to the movie star 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 contains a flyer exhibiting it was displayed in the membership’s Frank Sinatra Room. Estimate $4,000 to $6,000.
Other memorabilia, all being bought by means of Julien’s Auctions contains:
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 foreclosures back in 2024. Northgate Real Estate Group
Maybe a silkscreen print of “Satchmo — Louis Armstrong” by LeRoy Neiman. Signed, and might be grabbed for $800.
Keep paddling
Other relics for the taking are framed Barbra Streisand photographs. Black and white, probably from the early Seventies. Plus a 1980 colour headshot. One is Streisand sporting a purple shirt. Cheap, might be grabbed for $400.
Jack Benny’s violin, crafted in 1911 in Dresden, and 23 inches long in a wood case with pink material 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 purchaser’s premium is 28%, and transport, taxes and further charges might apply.
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Other auctions previous have been 4 framed gadgets regarding Sinatra — owned by Burt Reynolds. Black-and-white picture, 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 previous timers is: How did they get these things? Where was it?
Roasted dinner
The yearly Friars roasts have been 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 comic Joey Adams’ e-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 previous timers are questioning is: Where was these things? Who had it?
