Wednesday, October 14, 2009

REMEMBER ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS?

Roy Rogers LampHow long do movie or TV stars remain popular after they die? Collectors buy memories of their childhood, and stars like Roy Rogers and his wife, Dale Evans, are probably unknown to those born after 1960. The pair were huge stars in over 100 cowboy movies made between 1935 and 1959 and starred in The Roy Rogers Show on television from 1951 to 1957. But interest in the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri, has declined and it is closing. Collectors who want Rogers-Evans memorabilia can find gun and holster sets, lunch boxes, play sets, books, comics, Halloween costumes and, of course, figurines of Roy's horse, Trigger. The Roy Rogers lamp pictured features a Hartland figurine of Roy riding Trigger. The lamp sold last week for $410 at Morphy Auctions in Denver, Pennsylvania. Prices for Rogers-Evans collectibles will probably go down without ongoing publicity.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought that the Roy Rogers Museum, was located in Victorville, CA. I used to liver there, and I lived about a mile from Roy and Dale. They are both buried there, in Apple Valley Ca, whick is the next city over. We used to see Roy at the Swap meet every once in a while, and Dale at the local Alpha Beta food Mart. The Museum is still there, if I am not mistaken. . .
Duane Bass

Unknown said...

Can you tell us whatever happened to Roy Rogers' horse Trigger? I understand that estate taxes were so high on stuffed Trigger that the family may not have been able to keep him.

Anonymous said...

I have a Dale Evans with her horse watch that you had featured in our newspaper one time. I forgot to tell you though that the horse's head moved up and down. My dad gave me that watch when I was young and it still works. That makes my watch at least 50 years old.

Anonymous said...

I have a lamp similar but of Porky Pig. Does it have a similar value.

Anonymous said...

In 2003, the museum moved from Victorville CA., to their new location in Branson, MO.

Anna Louise Parkerson, now Dekan said...

Born 1960, CA, I remember well the show and "Happy Trails" is still something I hum once in a while. I remember going to the museum, seeing Trigger. I just got some dinnerware with Roy and Trigger on them and was thrilled. It reminds me of a better and simpler time. I'm sorry to hear the museum closed. I'll always have Roy and Dale's great smiles and that tune..Happy trails to you..until we meet again!

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad I was able to visit the museum when it was in Victorville. I was there in February 2001. I thought I'd go to the new one in Branson someday, but I guess not. Are they auctioning the remining items? One thing I really remember was Roy's baptismal certificate.
Happr Trails to you all.

Anonymous said...

To Duane Bass. I lived in Apple Valley from 1953 to 1958. Are you related to Newt Bass. He owned the Apple Valley Inn first. I went to grammer school there and junior high. Our famous movie star then was Sky King.

Pamela Kinchen

Anonymous said...

Roy Rogers Museum was first located in what in now Oasis (bowling) lanes. in Apple Valley.
His first house was formerly owned by Bud Westlund, co-founder of Apple Valley, in 1946
I have the original swigging bar doors fron the The Western Bar. Apple Valley Inn, main dining room cash register, KAVR/ KAPL radio station sign (approx. 30"x 100" plexaglass.. a number of Apple Valley Newspaers printed following Roy's death . Other small memorabilia items.
For further information contact
smillieface@netzero.net

Anonymous said...

Trigger, Trigger Jr, Buttermilk and Bullet are all in the Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum in Branson, MO. and they are mounted not stuffed (ick).Once the museum is closed they will probably find a home in another western museum.