If you want a lot of options, then Roy Rogers is a great star to collect! “The King of the Cowboys” was basically a franchise throughout the 1940’s and 50’s, his face appearing in many places and on many things for us to collect today. And most of it brings a tidy premium in terms of dollars.
1945 Screen Art Cowboys & Cowgirls
Leonard Slye came to California to be a singer, first appeared on film in 1935 as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers, went under the name of Dick Weston for a couple of films in the late 30’s and then became a star as Roy Rogers, the name first used in 1938’s Under Western Stars. According to the IMDb Dale Evans first appeared alongside Roy in The Yellow Rose of Texas (1944), followed by Utah (1945), and Under Nevada Skies (1946). After the death of Roy’s second wife, Arline, in late 1946, he and Dale fell in love and were married on this date, New Year’s Eve, 1947. Roy and Dale would move from the big screen to television, where they, along with Roy’s horse, Trigger, and dog, Bullet, are each credited with 100 episodes of The Roy Rogers Show from 1951-1957.
Dale Evans 1954 Star Pictures Premium Photo
1950s Dixie Cup Lid
1942 Dixie Premium
Below is Gabby Hayes, Roy’s sidekick in dozens of films:
Gabby Hayes 1973 John Ford
Roy and Dale were still married at the time of Roy Rogers’ passing, July 6, 1998. Dale Evans followed him February 7, 2001. Be sure to have a look at The Official Roy Rogers – Dale Evans Museum Website as well as the great site put together at RoyRogersWorld.com for many more details on the lives of these stars.
Roy Rogers isn’t in the set, but if you like the look of the Gabby Hayes piece shown above I will be auctioning off individual pieces from a complete set of John Ford’s Cowboy Kings of the Western World in January 2009. Be sure to check out the Photo ID Guide for more info on this spectacular group of prints, and note that the Guide will be updated as soon as I snap the photos for the new auction listings.
Love your stuff!! great reading. I was given an authentic horse-shoe worn by Trigger, one a wooden award backing. i won it from Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. I have a recording of me and Roy talking in 1957.
what value is this to a RR colector. I loved Roy and Dale all these years.
bob keaney
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Bob. The horse-shoe is a bit outside my area, as I usually deal with just paper items, but if anyone else knows they are welcome to comment here for you.
Thanks, Cliff
FAKE ALERT ~ that is NOT Bob Nolan standing with Roy and Dale. Whomever autographed it is dishonest. Roy and Dales autographs are now suspect too.
Sorry, but I agree on the picture of Mr. Nolan and maybe the signatures!
Correct, it’s not Bob Nolan and it’s definitely not signed – never said it was. This post is almost 6 years old, but I’ll go in and remove the reference to Nolan.
Even better – I removed the offending photo and replaced it with one of Dale Evans acquired since the post first went up.
Hi Louis, you’re right about that not being Bob Nolan, I do recall at one point a Western fan had corrected me on that now that you bring it up.
The item itself isn’t fake though as it’s not intended to be presented as an autographed item–just a vintage paper collectible.
Clicking the item itself brings you over to the Photo ID Guide page for that particular collectibles, one of 90 Screen Art Cowboys & Cowgirls issued as part of a box set, circa 1945. It’s been a few years since I’ve handled these, but my description over on that page remains accurate:
“Each of these paper photos measures approximately 5″ x 7″, printed on a light paper stock. Color tones on the pictures, facsimile signatures, each studio also mentioned.”
The signatures are in the print itself, the item is not signed.
Thanks, Cliff