believe it or don't

Here are a few facts about an auction of some of the property of a movie and TV star that many of us admired, unlike some of today's entertainers Roy and Dale were just genuinely good people and lived their entire lives scandal free. Thanks to Bennie Bowen Stoy for sending this to us. Another very unusual piece of trivia Bennie passed on to us is that the August that just ended contained three Sundays, three Mondays, and three Tuesdays, this only happens once every eight hundred years.

                  The items below could work equally as well in the "Believe It or Don't" or the "Points to Ponder" section of our website, just enjoy them as you remember when.

Good Memories

The Roy Rogers Museum recently closed its doors forever.

Here is a partial listing, along with prices, of some of the items that were sold at auction:

Roy's 1964 Pontiac Bonneville sold for $254,500; it was estimated to sell between 100 and 150 thousand dollars.

His script book from the January 14, 1953 episode of This Is Your Life sold for $10,000 (est. $800-$1,000)

A collection of signed baseballs (Pete Rose, Duke Snyder, and other greats) sold for $3,750

A collection of signed bats (Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and others) sold for $2,750.

Trigger's saddle and bridle sold for $386,500 (est. 100-150K)

One of many of Roy's shirts sold for $16,250 and one of his many cowboy hats sold for $17,500.

One set of boot spurs sold for $10,625, although he never used a set of spurs on Trigger.

A life size shooting gallery sold for $27,500.

Various chandeliers sold from $6,875 to $20,000. Very unique and artistic in their western style.

A signed photograph by Don Larsen taken during his perfect game in the world series against the Dodgers on Oct.8, 1953, along with a signed baseball to Roy from Don sold for $2,500.

Two fabulous limited edition BB guns in their original boxes with numerous photos of Roy, Dale, Gabby, and Pat sold for $3,750.

A collection of memorabilia from his shows entertaining the troops in Vietnam sold for $938. His flight jacket sold for $7,500.

His set of dinner ware plates and silverware sold for $11,875.  The Holy Bible they used at the dinner table every night sold for $8,750.

One of several of his guitars sold for $27,500.

Nellybelle sold for $116,500.

A fabulous painting of Roy, Dale, Pat, Buttermilk, Trigger, and Bullet sold for $10,625.

One of several sets of movie posters sold for $18,750.

A black and white photograph of Gene Autry with a touching inscription from Gene to Roy sold for $17,500.

A Republic Productions Poster bearing many autographs of the people that played in Roy's movies sold

for $11,875.

Dale's horse, Buttermilk sold for $25,000.

Bullet sold for $35,000 (est. 10-15K). He was their real pet.

Dale's parade saddle, estimated to sell between 20-30K, sold for $104,500.

One of many pairs of Roy's boots sold for $21,250.

Trigger sold for $266,500.

Remember the 1938 movie The Adventures of Robin hood with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland? Well, Olivia rode Trigger in that movie. Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby. Roy bought Trigger on a time payment plan for $2,500. Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together. Trigger even out did Bob Hope by winning an Oscar in the movie Son of Paleface in 1953.

 It is extremely sad to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy's movies, as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today's kids would rather spend their time playing video games. Today it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals. These were the great heroes of our childhood, and they did teach us right from wrong, and how to have and show respect for each other and the animals that share this earth. We were born at the right time; we were able to grow up with these great people even if we never met them. In their own way they taught us patriotism and honor, we learned that lying and cheating were bad, and sex wasn't as important as love. We learned how to suffer through disappointment and failure and work through it. Our lives were drug free.

So it's good-bye to Roy and Dale, Gene and Hoppy, and the Lone Ranger and Tonto.  Farewell to Sky King, Superman, and Sgt. Friday. Best wishes and thanks to Capt. Kangaroo, the Cisco Kid, and Mr. Wizard and all those other people whose lives touched ours and made them better. They all gave us a great ride through childhood.