Roy Rogers Museum Auction Includes Trigger, Nellybelle

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Jun 14th 2010 at 9:01PM

Last month I wrote about the auction of Roy Rogers' mineral collection and I wondered where the rest of the contents of the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum would end up. It will be auctioned off by Christie's on July 14 and 15 in association with High Noon Western Americana. The museum was closed last year and the auction will include everything from saddles, personal photos, awards to the famous Nellybelle jeep from the 1950s TV Show and even the horse Trigger. A press release notes that High Noon Western Americana, in conjunction with the Rogers family, did try to place Trigger, another horse Buttermilk and the Rogers' dog Bullet with a national museum but found that because of the recession museums did not have funds available to expand their permanent collections.

The Roy Rogers Personal Firearms & Hunting Collections will be sold at Brian Lebel's Old West Auction at the Denver Merchandise Mart on June 25-27. Roy's firearms will be sold including his very first belt and double holster rig. his gold-plated 101 Ranch revolvers, the shotgun he bought off Clark Gable, and one of Dale Evans' only guns, a pearl handled Colt. The collection includes antique, modern and commemorative firearms. Artifacts supporting Roy's avid hunting interests will be offered including his favorite hunting hat as well as his 1964 Lincoln Continental convertible and the last motorcycle he owned before retiring from riding, a 1982 V45 Honda, driven only 2,000 miles will also be sold at this auction.

UPDATE: A Nebraska cable TV network, RFD-TV paid $266,500 for Trigger, at the auction.The company's owner, Patrick Gottsch, was interested in buying the whole Roy Rogers collection but found out about the auction too late to get a deal together. RFD-TV is looking to put a Western museum together but until then Trigger will likely find a home either in the office lobby or in Gottsch's home.

Tags: dale evans, nellybelle, roy rogers, roy rogers museum, trigger, western memorabilia

Filed under: Auctions

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 7)

diane Jun 15th 2010 6:27PM

What's with all the capital letters??

Midnightdiamonds Jun 15th 2010 2:17PM

Awwww. Trigger. I'd almost want Trigger because I was passionately in love with every horse that crossed a movie screen in my childhood. But seriously, preserved animals give me the creeps. I wish they would simply contribute Buttermilk, Trigger, Nellybelle and Bullet to one museum instead of selling them just to keep them together.

rostrom Jun 15th 2010 2:54PM

I didn't even know the museum closed last year. My husband and I were in Branson when the ribbon was cut and the new museum opened several years ago. We have gone there several times and always made a visit to the museum. Each time we went there were more items. The family - the most famous of them - Roy Rogers, Jr. "Dusty" - and many family members participated in the festivitives. We were there last summer and it was still open. In addition to Trigger, Trigger, Jr., Buttermilk (Dale's horse) and Bullit were also mounted and behind glass. I guess it's true - only the people my age who grew up with Roy and Dale - probably are the only ones who remember how special they were. I doubt that I can afford anything in the auction, but I really hope that Trigger and his son, Buttermilk, and Bullit go to a good place. Considering the immense popularity of Roy and Dale for such an extended time, they were icons that should never be forgotten. I would think the Smithsonian would have a place for them. They have made places for some of long-running television series' furniture, sets, etc. The whole thing makes me sad.

mentlyo Jun 15th 2010 6:23PM

I was thinking the same thing that you just stated . Let's hope that happens..

Doris Jun 16th 2010 12:32PM

I agree with you

harry Jun 15th 2010 9:39PM

I wasn't aware that he had another museum in Branson. I'd driven by the original? one in Victorville, Calif. almost weekly for years. WIth all the new car lots in that area now, I'm not even sure you can still see the place!
I guess all good things come to an end at some point, it's just hard to imagine this auction being necessary. I'd think some creative ideas could keep much of their collection intact, but it sound like that won't happen now.
My best to his family, ...Roy and Dale brought a lot of joy to folks for a lot of years.

Lee Jun 16th 2010 12:03AM

I like you have fond memories of being able to see the museum when it was open. The artifacts that were there are priceless. It is a sad day to see it all go away like so many of the great historical relics but his family must have their reasons for depriving our children and their children from seeing history first hand.....right? It's all about money. if they can't keep the horses together as a complete set, they should be cremated and poured on Roy's grave to rest in peace. RIP to the Roy Rogers era and legacy.

Saud Muhammad Jun 15th 2010 2:32PM

Just another sign of the decline of America. Oh I almost forgot "It's George Bush's fault"

mannamedjoe Jun 15th 2010 7:59PM

You got that right, surprised you admitted it!

dov888 Jun 15th 2010 2:34PM

I think a good Vet could bring Trigger back again.

Kenneth Moore Jun 15th 2010 2:53PM

This is an example of what Dennis said. Sadly, it's the truth. America has decided to turn it's back on The Golden Age of Television. Our generation was inspired and entertained by the old shows that had morals and a message of virtue. Is there any room at the Smithsonian for these Historic items?

Jim Jun 15th 2010 2:59PM

Folks... When Roy passed all went to Dale with no estate tax applied but when Dale died the Govt. said the "family" had to pay an estate tax on Trigger valued, by the Govt, at $250,000 since he was "one of a kind" . The Govt. basically taxed the museum out of business here in Ca. and it was moved. Lack of interest as previously stated is more than likely the reason for the closure.

Kevin Brown Jun 15th 2010 8:46PM

Where did you come across this information?

Debbie Jun 16th 2010 12:51PM

I agree ( a little ) with all comments. I wished the family would just give the animals a burial or at least get ahold of the Smithsonian. I don't know if the family needs or wants the money these auctions are generating but there goes a part of the past scattered everywhere.

Dan Jun 15th 2010 3:09PM

The entire Roy Rogers collection should be in the Smithsonian.

pmickey54 Jun 15th 2010 6:45PM

I agree with you. The collection belongs in the Smithsonian.

Cindy Jun 15th 2010 8:13PM

We were at the museum on the last day it was open. Roy Rogers Jr. said they offered any or all of the collection to the Smithsonian but they declined to take them. I only hope that someone who loved Roy and Dale buy the horses.

konfettees Jun 16th 2010 9:07PM

I agree with everyone of the comments stating that all of the Rogers collection should be placed in the Smithsonian. The Enola Gay is in the Smithsonian, why not the Rogers Collection? It really bites that the Roger's Family would let this happen!
Karen in AZ

rlg4675 Jun 15th 2010 3:29PM

Its too bad when our past and history is sold off, a sorry day. Part of the Greatest Generation lost. Truely heart breaking, whats next ?

J Long Jun 15th 2010 3:31PM

It's a shame to see all of this great memoribilila go. My wife and I saw all of these great items at the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans museum and show in Branson, MO last October. That's where everything being auctioned off was displayed. They told me they were shutting down due to lack of interest in Roy and Dale's items. Today's kids and young adults have no desire to view items from a successful TV series that I watched every week as a kid. Bummer!

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