Friends’ iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum – along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

As I delve into this poignant tale of loss and remembrance, my heart is heavy with the weight of emotions that the life and untimely demise of Matthew Perry has left us with. Having grown up watching Friends, his character Chandler Bing was not just a source of laughter, but a beacon of warmth and camaraderie in our living rooms every week.


On Monday, Julien’s Auctions conducted their auction commemorating the 30th anniversary of the popular show “Friends.” Among the items up for grabs was a replica of the famous couch from the opening credits, which fetched an astonishing $29,250.

The initial projected selling price for the ornate, plush sofa upholstered in orange velvet ranged from $2,000 to $3,000. It boasted intricate brown resin carvings that were lacquered to mimic wood and boasted decorative copper-hued tassels on the front apron.

During every season from 1994 to 2004, spanning a total of 10 seasons, the couch was significantly noticeable at the imaginary coffee shop Central Perk. This is where a group of six friends in their twenties faced the challenges of careers, personal lives, and relationships in Manhattan, as depicted in the popular NBC sitcom.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I recently found myself reminiscing about the good old days while watching the Friends cast reunite on the iconic couch for their 2021 special on HBO Max.

In the third season’s episode titled ‘The One With The Football,’ even the most passionate viewers may remember the contentious Geller Cup, which the characters competed for throughout that specific installment.

Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

At Julien’s Auctions, they estimated the value of the handcrafted replica of a golden-haired Troll doll affixed to a wooden plank and fastened to a metal container base would fetch between $300 and $500. However, an eager bidder ended up spending a whopping $9,100 for it.

The handcrafted trophy has labels that identify it as the Geller Bowl and lists the siblings’ winning years: Ross (77, 80), Monica (79, 81, 82). The latest victory was by Ross in 83.

While some items were replicas, the authentic business card from Monica’s Catering, which appeared in the fourth season’s episode titled ‘The One with the Dirty Girl’, was sold for $1,625 at the auction.

In the seventh season’s episode titled ‘The One With Joey’s Award,’ Lisa Kudrow, portraying masseuse Phoebe Buffay, donned a long coat made of deep blue denim. This fashion piece was estimated to fetch between $1,000 and $1,500.

In a surprising turn of events, Phoebe’s unique coat adorned with fake fur edging and intricate gold embroidery blooms fetched an impressive $5,200 at the recent auction.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I find myself reminiscing about Jennifer Aniston, famously known for her role as fashion icon Rachel Green. In the captivating season seven episode titled ‘The One With The Truth About London,’ she sported a chic grey sweater that shared screen time with Ross Geller’s son, Ben, portrayed by the Sprouse twins. This timeless ensemble is estimated to fetch a pretty penny between $1,000 and $1,500 in today’s market.

However, the size-medium mohair turtleneck adorned with the tagline ‘People Once Dreamt of the Future’ was purchased at a price of $6,500.

In the ninth season episode titled ‘The One With The Mugging’, Courteney Cox, who portrayed chef Monica Geller on the show, donned a knitted top. This particular outfit is estimated to sell for between $1,000 and $1,500.

Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

But the brown long-sleeve shirt featuring an asymmetrical beige-striped pattern wound up getting $2,275.

In the tenth season episode titled ‘The One After Joey and Rachel Kiss,’ Matt LeBlanc, portraying the character Joey Tribbiani, sported a casual short-sleeved top. This attire was estimated to fetch him anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500.

But the size 4/XL, burgundy-striped Ben Sherman top was sold for $3,250.

In the seventh season episode titled “The One With The Holiday Armadillo,” Matthew Perry, famous for his role as Chandler Bing, donned a stylish teal sweater with a collar, an item estimated to sell for between $1,000 and $1,500.

However, the Autumn Cashmere polo shirt, crafted entirely from premium cashmere material, ended up fetching a winning auction price of $6,500.

Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction
Friends' iconic Central Perk couch sells for an eye-watering sum - along with VERY obscure memorabilia at 30th anniversary auction

Five times Emmy-nominated individual, aged 54, tragically passed away on October 28 due to severe reactions to anesthetic ketamine. Subsequently, a total of five individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with the Los Angeles Police Department’s ongoing probe.

‘It’s a huge loss,’ Friends co-creator Marta Kauffman told TODAY last Friday.

‘And it does make the 30th a little fraught.’

In a different phrasing, Kevin Bright, the executive producer of Friends, stated: “He’d been battling tirelessly for such a long time, but it seemed, starting from the reunion, that he had discovered tranquility at last…Every day, he brought laughter to us.

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2024-09-24 22:07

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