From The Comic's Comic

How’d you like to own the custom pool table built for the third-floor billiards room at the old New York Friars Club?

That’s perhaps the largest item out of hundreds now up for bid by Julien’s Auction under the umbrella “Legends of Comedy,” which features hundreds of items from the Friars Club, which closed permanently in the pandemic after 120 years. Also part of this auction, which opened today and closes on March 4: “Sledge-O-Matic” sledgehammers owned and used by the late comedian Gallagher; and more than 100 pieces of clothing, art and memorabilia owned by the late Louie Anderson (including his outfits worn for Coming 2 America and the Emmy Awards).

Here’s a quote from the press release!

“Julien’s is honored to represent the Friars Club legacy in this exclusive auction that includes the iconic collections of comedy legends Gallagher and Louie Anderson,” said Catherine Williamson, Managing Director of Entertainment, Julien’s Auctions. “If you’ve always wanted to be a member of the Friars Club, this is your once in a lifetime chance to own a piece from the legendary comedy mecca. We’re delighted to serve this glorious banquet of brilliant archival treasures from the kings and queens of comedy and entertainment, chronicling over a century of laughter.”

In addition to the Friars Club pool table, you also can bid on a piano, keyboard, guitars, busts, photos, paintings, and even a trunk full of jokes. Some of the items highlighted by Julien’s? “a handmade inscribed 1911 violin from Eduard Reichert owned by violinist and entertainer Jack Benny, (estimate: $2,000-$3,000)”; “a bronze bust of Frank Sinatra by Jo Davidson (estimate: $4,000-$6,000) that was displayed in the Club’s Frank Sinatra Room”; and “cartoonist Al Hirschfield’s signed “Friars Club” print featuring Michael Jackson, Shirley MacLaine, Dom DeLuise, Barbra Streisand, Jackie Mason, Donald Trump, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis, and Jackie Kennedy, among others (estimate: $3,000-$5,000) (photo right); and caricature of George Burns (estimate: $800-$1,200)”.

You can view and register to bid on all 383 items in the Legends of Comedy auction here.

Coincidentally, the following week (March 10-11, 2026), Julien’s will host an auction of 551 items from Whoopi Goldberg, for whom the Friars Club infamously roasted in 1993, with her then-boyfriend Ted Danson as Roastmaster.

While plenty of comedy legends have bequeathed their belongings to the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY, here are a few opportunities over the next few weeks to bid on and potentially own your own little piece or pieces of comedy history and lore.