The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans memorabilia auction, held last weekend at Christie's New York, brought in some amazing bids for some unusual items.  Pre-auction estimates of value were exceeded in many cases.

The preserved remains of Rogers' iconic palomino horse, Trigger, which were projected to sell for $100,000 to $200,000, reached $266,500.  Another preserved sidekick, the German shepherd dog, Bullet, sold for $35,000.  Both items were bought by RFD-TV, a television network which features programming for rural agricultural and horse-owning markets.

Other top selling items included Roy's Pontiac Bonneville car which was estimated between $100,000-150,000.  The unique pink convertible which was customized for Roy by Nudie Cohen, "tailor to the stars," featured a dozen mounted guns and rifles, a hand-tooled leather interior, hundreds of mounted "genuine collectible" silver dollars, with a six-foot wide set of Texas Longhorns.  In case anyone was not clear on who the owner was, Roy's name was prominently displayed.  The car sold for $254,500.  Another top seller was "Nellybelle" the jeep which reached $116,500.

Roy and Trigger with the Bohlin saddle/Photo royrogers.com

Republic Pictures Publicity photo, 1949

The top selling item, however, was Trigger's television and parade saddle made by Edward H. Bohlin.  The black saddle with extensive tooling and sterling silver decoration, features Roy's name in gold letters on the cantle.  This saddle netted $386,500.  A second Bohlin saddle which Roy used on Trigger Jr. sold for $242,500, making it the fourth highest netting item behind the first saddle, Trigger himself, and Roy's Bonneville.

The items were all part of the collection of the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Missouri which closed last year.  Visitors to the museum had fallen in the last couple of years and it was no longer supporting itself.  

Roy Rogers Junior is still active in his company, Golden Stallion, which presents a show tribute to the lives and values of Roy and Dale.  The company is based in Branson, but also travels around the country.