Collectibles
The One Where a Bunch of ‘Friends’ Props Shatter Auction Estimates
The company sold scores of original props and studio replicas through Julien's Auctions.
Friends started airing three decades ago, fixing the lives and loves of six now-iconic characters—from Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green to Matt LeBlanc’s Joey Tribbiani—in the cultural consciousness. The TV series, which ran for 10 seasons, remains a reliable comfort show today. To mark its landmark anniversary, Julien’s Auctions staged “Friends: The One With the 30th Anniversary Auction” in L.A. this week, offering clothing and props from the era-defining sitcom, alongside a VIP visit to the archives they were culled from.
“Julien’s and Warner Bros. Television partnered together to do something special,” Julien’s Head of Consignments and Appraisers Laura Woolley explained over email. “We put together a collection of iconic items from the series which came from the Warner Bros. Discovery Global Archives and Preservation Services.”
Many of those relics hammered high above their estimates, like a reproduction of the show’s orange couch, which sold for $29,250, despite its estimate of $2,000–$3,000. Like most of the lots in this auction, the couch is a copy—not the actual site where the show ostensibly starts, when Rachel plops down on it in her wedding dress. The studio modeled this iteration from the original, down to its precise measurements and distinctive details. Set designer Greg Grande unearthed it from the Warner Bros. basement.
A Central Perk coffeeshop sign also modeled after the show’s original fetched $5,850 against its estimated $500–$700. Two lots later, the Troll doll affixed to a two-by-four proved another standout. This replica of the fabled Geller Cup, which sold for $9,100 (estimate: $300–$500), might look a little unsettling, but the objects backstory is rich for fans of the show.
A handful of original props appeared in yesterday’s auction too, such as Monica Geller’s business cards and furnishings from her brother Ross’s apartments, including a dresser that sold for $10,400 (estimate: $500–$700) despite—or perhaps because of—its scratches.
Beyond the jokes, Friends shines on in the social media age predominantly for its sartorial styles, from Rachel’s Knicks shirt to Phoebe Buffay’s orange fur coat.
“Rachel and Chandler are, arguably, the Friends characters most associated with their distinctive fashion choices, so we are not surprised the sweaters worn by them achieved such high bids,” Woolley mused. “Each of the pieces vividly conveyed their beloved, iconic characters.”
Their garments topped the auction’s many clothing-related lots yesterday. First, the gray mohair sweater Rachel wore while babysitting Ross’s son sold for $6,500, compared with its estimate of $1,000–$1,500. The teal polo sweater once worn by Chandler Bing, played by the late Matthew Perry, sold for the same price, against the same estimate.
Apparently, Warner Bros. Unscripted is still feeling festive. It’s reportedly gone in on a Friends-themed game show, to be filmed inside the immersive Friends attraction in New York. Production starts in October. The date for its eventual release on Max hasn’t dropped yet.