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 7 of 7)

rostrom Jun 16th 2010 12:16PM

Re Harry's comments about the museum in Victorville. We never got to see the museum when it was in Victorville and Roy and Dale were alive and often chatted with visitors. I talked with Roy Rogers, Jr. "Dusty" on the day the ribbon was cut and the new museum opened in Branson. He said that Victorville was no longer a viable place for the museum because of the rather isolated location and that he had talked with Dale before her death about moving the museum to a place where it would be more visable and draw the people who would remember Roy and Dale so that it could remain solvent. Dale agreed on Branson. I had read that while the museum was in Victorville, the family was having difficulty keeping the taxes paid and even keeping Trigger. It's hard to believe that moving to Branson didn't draw more interest and revenue. Even tho the economy has been really tight, each time we visited the museum (and this was quite a few), more memorabelia had been added and there always seemed to be quite a few patrons. The day the museum opened, we were there at 9am, along with a huge crowd, some of which were in western costume. I was so happy to see that there were still plenty of folks who remembered Roy and Dale and what they represented and I find it hard to imagine that all of those people have gone away.

DebinSoCal Jun 16th 2010 2:32PM

Quite a few people have voiced the same opinion that myself, and my whole family, have also talked about. The THINGS being auctioned, yes, that hurts. If an appropriate museum cannot be found for many of these items, then I understand the financial issues. But, the animals. They were part of these people, and shouldn't be sold to the highest bidder....they should be (what is left of them) laid to rest with Roy and Dale. The things being gone, I can handle that. But, Trigger, Trigger, Jr., Buttermilk and Bullet....I'm having a hard time dealing with them not being finally laid to rest. Especially Trigger, he was so treasured by Roy and his fans, it's just incredibly sad. I hope fans from all over are contacting the Rogers family right now and making THEIR wishes known to them. Most of us couldn't even afford a doorstop at the auction, but that doesn't mean we have forgotten, we haven't. It's sad that it has come down to $$. I could never have traveled to Branson to go to the museum again, but would have if it were still in Victorville. My grandson is old enough now to go, but he will have to miss it....forever.

dcdilda Jun 16th 2010 7:43PM

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. Shame on the family for being so money hungry!

Dan Jun 16th 2010 10:36PM

America's King of the Cowboys and Queen of the West absolutely deserve a place of immortality in the Smithsonian and it's a disgrace that we even have to discuss it. People of far less importance are recognized there. Build a special wing for Roy and Dale in the Smithsonian NOW!

Kris Jun 17th 2010 9:02PM

I realize that there is a recession but couldn't the Rogers family have DONATED the horses and dog to the Smithsonian or something?

dolly12 Jun 20th 2010 4:42PM

Trigger, Buttermilk and Bullet were all at The Cowboy Hall of Fame in OKC for years. I saw them there sometime in the late eighties. I wonder why they do not take them back?

Jimmy Allen Jun 21st 2010 6:14PM

As most others on this site, I grew up in the 40's & 50's watching Roy, Dale, Trigger, Buttermilk, Bullet, Nellie Bell, and the whole host of silver screen and tv western stars of that period. They are all woven into the fabric of Americana and are a significant part of American history for their time period. It could not and will not be repeated in the history of our nation. It will always be unique to that time. It was a time of innocence that we don't see today. It was a difficult time fiscaly in our nation. By today's standards 75% of the families would have been poverty level. But, if I could chose any time in history to grow up, I would not change and a good portion of that would be because of the influence of the likes of Roy & Dale. Today's youngsters could not understand this. You had to be there to appreciate it.
I understand the Rogers' family needing to sell a large portion of the estate. They have a right and deserve the privilage of enjoying the fruits of their parents' estate. But, I would hope Roy Jr and the rest of the children would understand the importance of preserving some of the legacy of Roy & Dale and offer to "loan" Trigger and the rest of the iconic group plus a set of Roy & Dales hats, shirts, pants, boots and Roy's two gun set to a musuem such as The Autry, Cody, Smithsonian, or some other credible site with the understanding that when there are better economic times the items will be sold to one of the museums by the family. I wonder if this or some similiar solution has been offered or considered? I hope someone with some influence with the family will convince them to reconsider selling these precious and irreplaceable historical items. Where's Ted Turner when we need him?
Jim

C.W. Jul 11th 2010 11:25PM

Good comment. I don't know the word for it - maybe there isn't one - however The Roy Rogers Show & its parts in a definite way to all of us!

C.W. Jul 11th 2010 11:09PM

.....I meant, "in a real way belong to...." :-)

Goodmanbuffy3 Jun 21st 2010 3:07PM

I feel so badly that all those wonderful edifacts of Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Trigger, Bullet and all the rest will be lost. I loved Roy Rogers as a child. He was my hero and he displayed all the characteristics I believed in. I hope something is done about this. Do not sell these things. They mean too much to so many of us.

Kath Jun 22nd 2010 9:59AM

This is truly a shame that visitors stopped coming to the museum. I would have gone. I used to wear a little Dale Evans outfit and read several of her books. I grew up with that show and just loved it. I was fortunate enough to hear The Sons of the Pioneers many times in Tucson although most were not the original singers.

I guess that it just wasn't that profitable for the museum. I know that the children would rather have the money from the items, but it is true that a piece of our American Culture is being sold off.

BackInTheSaddle Jun 22nd 2010 9:47AM

Is it true that some of the money will be going to buy bikes for the children of our fallen and wounded troops?
A bike for a steed.
BikeFree.org

David J Guthrie Jun 22nd 2010 12:40PM

Say it ain't so

bucwheat47 Jun 22nd 2010 6:09PM

It is a shame that his family did not try harder to preserve this great legend and his historical stuff. His memories will live on in the hearts of people for years to come. It would have been nice to see his collection. the families of great people like Roy and Gen Autry do not want to be bothered about the history, just the money

Narcissa Jun 22nd 2010 8:05PM

I have known Dusty and his family for years and I can tell you that your comments about it being all about the money and greed are right on! They may fool some of the people some of the some time (as the saying goes) .......but it will catch up with them. The "I'm just a humble Christian man" act is just that - an act. Don't donate a single dime to them when they hold out their hand to you! They've gotten enough from auctioning off these items and even items fans have so thoughtfully brought in and given them as gifts! Fakes to the core each and every one. Roy and Dale would be ashamed.

DebinSoCal Jun 26th 2010 2:40PM

I have a question....when the money from all the auctions is gone...then what? Pay for a bus tour to Roy and Dale's gravesite? Have them stuffed and displayed? WHAT? Got news for the Rogers family. If they continue in their quest to sell the animals, when it's their time, they won't be met at the pearly gates by St. Peter, Roy, Dale, and everyone else. They might find their accommodations a bit warmer, and not to their liking. You get back as good as you give. To sell part of your own family (the animals), you have to be heartless. When I think of this scenario, the auction, I just feel sad, so very sad. And, I know Roy and Dale are feeling the same way. There's not alot that us, the true fans, can do about this whole situation. But, if the Rogers family thinks I'm wasting any prayers on the record breaking outcome of the auction, they got another think coming. My only prayers are that Trigger, and all the rest of the four legged kids will find a good home, TOGETHER, or someone will wake up and lay them to rest, at peace, with Roy and Dale. Roy...."may the good Lord take a likin' to ya" apparently isn't going to extend to your own family. May you and Dale rest in peace. Justice will be served....eventually.