Collection of ‘Friends’ Props and Wardrobe Pieces to Sell at Auction

An auction of clothing, props, and decor from the hit sitcom “Friends,” will be held next month to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the show’s premiere.

The sale, which will be held by Julien’s Auctions live in Los Angeles on Sept. 23 and online, will offer 110 lots of original props, studio-made reproductions and costumes worn by stars Jennifer Aniston, David Schwimmer, Matt LeBlanc, Courtney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and the late Matthew Perry.

Leading the auction is a studio-made reproduction of the couch from Central Perk, the coffee shop that serves as a main hangout spot in the show. The orange upholstered sofa has a price estimate between US$2,000 andUS$3,000.

The studio-made reproduction of the couch from Central Perk has an estimate of between US$2000 and US$3000.

Other auction highlights include one wardrobe item from each member of the main cast, which includes Rachel Green’s grey sweater from season 7’s “The One With the Truth About London”; a blue long-sleeved shirt worn by Ross Geller in season 9’s “The One with the Boob Job”; and a teal, cashmere polo-style sweater worn by Chandler Bing in season 7’s “The One with the Holiday Armadillo.”

Also up for sale are Joey Tribbiani’s brown, striped short-sleeved button-down shirt from season 10’s “The One After Joey and Rachel Kiss”; Monica Geller’s brown and tan knit top from season 9’s “The One with the Mugging”; and a blue denim coat with faux fur on the cuffs and neck and embroidered Japanese flowers worn by Phoebe Buffay in season 7’s “The One With Joey’s Award.”

Each wardrobe piece worn by the main cast has a price estimate between US$1,000 andUS$1,500.

Costumes worn by notable guest stars will also be up for sale, including a polo shirt worn by Paul Rudd, a fur-trimmed jacket worn by Christina Applegate—who plays Rachel’s sister Amy—and a bright-pink dress and coat worn by Winona Ryder. Each of these items is estimated to sell between US$600 andUS$800.

Some original props included in the auction are five “Monica’s Catering” business cards (estimate: US$100-US$200 each) and a blue metal bike used by Ross’ son Ben—played by Cole Sprouse—in the season 7 episode “The One With All the Candy” (estimate: US$500-US$700).

“Friends” first aired on Sept. 22, 1994, and ran for 10 seasons, concluding with a 2004 series finale, which is the fifth-most-watched series finale of all time and the most-watched television episode of the 2000s.

Tuesday’s retail sales report could be the scrap of evidence that tips the balance as Federal Reserve officials decide how much to cut interest rates on Wednesday.

It is practically a given that the central bank will reduce rates. Inflation has fallen to its lowest point since February 2021, giving the Fed more flexibility to focus on the second component of its dual mandate—achieving maximum employment. Although the labor market remains resilient, the most recent two jobs reports have been weaker than expected, putting some pressure on the Fed to loosen monetary policy.

The question now is by how much rates will fall—0.5 percentage point, or 0.25 point? The indications from interest-rate futures are split , recently favoring the more aggressive half-percentage-point decrease.

Andrew Hollenhorst, an economist at Citi , leans toward the likelihood the Fed is more cautious on Wednesday, cutting rates by 0.25 percentage points. But he notes that it it is a close call that depends on the dynamics of the bank’s rate-setting committee and the strength or weakness of Tuesday’s retail sales report.

A positive surprise would suggest that both consumers and the labor market remain resilient, paving the way for a more modest cut. If the report comes in well below expectations, however, Fed officials may grow concerned that a weaker labor market is weighing on consumer spending, which could lead to a bigger cut, Hollenhorst added.

Louis Navellier, founder and chief investment officer of the money-management firm Navellier agrees. “In theory, if the August retail sales report is horrible, then a 0.5% Fed key interest rate cut may be forthcoming on Wednesday,” he said.

Economists are expecting retail sales will decline by 0.2% in August from July, according to FactSet. They jumped by a surprising 1% in July .

Lower gasoline prices and car sales will likely drag the headline number lower. Indeed, stripping out car and gas sales, retail sales are projected to increase by about 0.3% month over month.

Yet there is growing concern that even excluding autos and gas sales, the sales figure will be soft. While spending was remarkably strong in July, the Fed’s latest Beige Book flagged that consumer spending ticked down in August, points out Bill Adams, chief economist for Comerica Bank . Many retailers, particularly those catering to lower-income shoppers, have warned that Americans are being cautious and exceedingly choosy about what they are buying and where.

The impact of the retail sales report will likely extend beyond the immediate rate cut. The insights it contains about U.S. consumers will also factor into the Fed’s quarterly update to its Summary of Economic Projections, containing officials’ latest forecasts for the U.S. economy, inflation, and near-term interest rates.

The so-called dot plot , which charts the individual interest-rate projections of the seven members of the Fed’s board of governors and the 12 regional Fed presidents, is always closely watched as investors try to chart the Fed’s future actions.

Hollenhorst believes the median dot showing where rates will be at the end of 2024 should show “at least” 0.75 percentage-point of cuts, factoring in 0.25 point at each meeting through the end of the year. But it is likely that officials will leave the door open for more cuts in case data on the job market or consumer spending sour faster than expected.