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For Sale: Roy Rogers' Preserved Horse

Cowboy movie star's late dog up for sale, too

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 9, 2010 2:20 PM CDT

(Newser) – An auction next week in New York will feature the belongings of movie cowboy Roy Rogers—including the preserved remains of his famous horse, Trigger. Christie's in Manhattan held a preview today, the AP reports. The items are from the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Branson, Mo. Rogers had his faithful companion preserved with taxidermy in 1965. The presale estimate for the dead horse is $100,000 to $200,000.

The auction also will offer another kind of horsepower—Rogers' 1964 Bonneville convertible, adorned with collectible silver dollars. It's estimated at $100,000 to $150,000. Hand-drawn music for the theme song "Happy Trails" has a presale estimate of $300 to $500. Also for sale: The remains of Rogers' dog Bullet and Evans' horse Buttermilk.

Christie's employee Gil Perez, wearing an outfit and holding a guitar that belonged to Roy Rogers, with the remains of Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet at Christie's in New York, July 9, 2010.
Christie's employee Gil Perez, wearing an outfit and holding a guitar that belonged to Roy Rogers, with the remains of Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet at Christie's in New York, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
This 1984 file photo shows Roy Rogers and Dale Evans before the stuffed remains of Trigger, Roy's horse, at the Roy Rogers museum in Victorville, Calif.
This 1984 file photo shows Roy Rogers and Dale Evans before the stuffed remains of Trigger, Roy's horse, at the Roy Rogers museum in Victorville, Calif.   (LENNOX MCLENDON)
An employee of Christie's auction house inventories some of movie cowboy Roy Rogers' belongings in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.
An employee of Christie's auction house inventories some of movie cowboy Roy Rogers' belongings in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A Christie's auction house employee with some of the possessions of movie cowboy Roy Rogers, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.
A Christie's auction house employee with some of the possessions of movie cowboy Roy Rogers, in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville parade car that belonged to movie cowboy Roy Rogers on display at Christie's auction house in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.
The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville parade car that belonged to movie cowboy Roy Rogers on display at Christie's auction house in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
A Christie's auction house employee places identification cards on some movie cowboy Roy Rogers' belongings in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.
A Christie's auction house employee places identification cards on some movie cowboy Roy Rogers' belongings in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
The preserved remains of Roy Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet on display at Christie's auction house in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.
The preserved remains of Roy Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet on display at Christie's auction house in New York, Friday, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Gil Perez, a doorman at Christie's auction house, wears an outfit and holds a guitar belonging to Roy Rogers. At rear are the preserved remains of Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet, July 9, 2010.
Gil Perez, a doorman at Christie's auction house, wears an outfit and holds a guitar belonging to Roy Rogers. At rear are the preserved remains of Rogers' horse Trigger and dog Bullet, July 9, 2010.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 20 comments
Kookey90
Jul 10, 2010 5:39 PM CDT
Well, If the Smithsonian doesn't get this deal I hope that maybe one of the Las Vegas hotels gets it and displays it in one of their lobbies. Hopefully that way a bunch of folks could enjoy it. In the meantime I'm sorry to hear about the Roy Rogers Museum having to shut down.
schmidtkoff
Jul 10, 2010 2:02 PM CDT
trigger should have been released to the elements a long time ago. 40+ years is a long time to keep a cherished friend and companion in a stationary state. it's not easy to dig a ditch and return to earth a loved companion. yet alternatives are cremation. then one is left with gritty bits and pieces of bone in a pretty box. then one eventually comes to the conclusion that, yes, they have left. the soul, the life blood has gone. but they are not nor ever will be forgotten. turn them loose. release them back into the earth where they belong.
MoodyMommy
Jul 10, 2010 12:06 PM CDT
I hope some of it goes to the Autry Western History Museum in LA. They have a whole section on Singing and Movie Cowboys. If you have a chance it's a wonderful place to visit.

 
entertainment • Christie's • auction • celebrity • cowboy • Roy Rogers • taxidermy • Dale Evans • Trigger • Roy Rogers auction • cowboy movie • Bonneville

 
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