Memorabilia -> United States -> 1940-49
Roy Rogers toys weren’t just the popular playthings of a generation who viewed Roy as an authentic cowboy and a real American hero, they’re a representation of an entire generation. They stand today as an example of mid-20th century culture and one of the few stars America has even known who managed to live without scandal his entire life.
While Western toys were popular before Roy Rogers was a household name, once he became an icon in the 1940s, Roy Rogers toys dominated the marketplace. Some of the most popular toys branded with his name were Western-style cap guns that kids used to play “cowboys and Indians.” While cap guns were already a popular item, a Roy Rogers cap gun held special meaning because it was associated with Rogers, and somehow had to have belonged to one of the good guys.
Leonard Slye started his career when he moved to California at age 18 to become a singer. After four years of struggling he formed the group Sons of the Pioneers and found success. The songs were sparse and Western, like “Cool Water” and “Tumbling Tumbleweeds,” and America began a love affair with Rogers that lasted until his death in 1998 and beyond. His big movie break came while working on a movie with Gene Autry, the widest known cowboy star of the day, who had a dispute on the movie set and walked off. It was then that Slye’s name was changed to Roy Rogers (after Will Rogers), he was given Autry’s part, and he became a movie sensation. By the early 1940s, Rogers was so popular that Roy Rogers toys began flying off the shelves.
When he married actress Dale Evans in 1945, they formed Hollywood’s first power couple, becoming a household name together and performing a popular radio show in the 1950s that featured Western actor Gaby Hayes and two of the most popular animals in the world, Roy’s horse Trigger and his dog Bullet. Roy was seen as an American hero and idol, with Roy Rogers toys and other items becoming one of the earliest merchandising successes in the world. Many were available from cap guns to action figures, lunchboxes, hats, cowboy gear, even books, comic books and a popular comic strip were part of the extensive merchandising surrounding Rogers.
Roy and Dale were known as “King of the Cowboys” and “Queen of the West,” and even those not familiar with them today have probably heard their theme song, “Happy Trails (to you).” Many people who collect Western memorabilia and vintage toys look for Roy Rogers toys, but because of his popularity it’s rare to find mint or unopened toys. Most were well-played-with when they were new, so the important thing is to make sure it’s an authentic Roy Rogers brand toy, and to find out whether or not it has ever been broken and repaired. Online auctions are probably the easiest place to find the toys as close to their original condition as possible.
Originally posted 2008-10-23 14:00:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Related Posts -
Looney Tunes Cartoons Memorabilia -> Entertainment-Memorabilia -> Movie-Memorabilia While many of us recognize Looney Tunes cartoons from their run on television, they actually ran in movie theaters for 39 years, from 1930 to 1969. They were Warner Bros.'s first theatrical animated series. The term Looney Tunes also refers to the animated cast of...... -
Grateful Dead Posters Memorabilia -> G -> Grateful Dead Grateful Dead fans, often called Dead Heads, and music memorabilia collectors can pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for items like handbills and Grateful Dead posters. Anyone not familiar with the band or the unique style of images and posters used during the...... -
The Three Stooges Memorabilia -> Entertainment-Memorabilia -> Movie-Memorabilia The Three Stooges, years after they made their last film together, are still wildly popular with both adults and children alike. Their films are available on DVD and appear on television, they’re referenced in pop culture, and even have music dedicated to them, like...... -
1950’s TV Shows Memorabilia -> Television Memorabilia -> 1950-1959 Were you a child of the 1950’s? If so, chances are you remember the 1950’s tv shows that set the tone for our entertainment today. These shows were much loved and back in an era when choices were limited to three channels, the audience...... -
Andy Warhol Paintings Memorabilia -> Entertainment Memorabilia Andy Warhol paintings today are housed in museums, owned by private collectors and released as prints for public consumption. He was born Andrew Warhola in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928. Though he died in 1987 from complications after gall bladder surgery, his name is still well known......
Related Websites -
Tennis Tournament Preview: Roger Federer against Juan Martin Del Potro Roger Federer, World no.1 (-308) against Juan Martin Del Potro, seed 6 (+278) Roger managed to take care of our red hot favorite, Djokovic in only three sets, but are things going to get even more challenging against him when he goes up against Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina?...... -
Michael Savage BAD, Fidel Castro & Che Guevara GOOD WedNEWSday - May 13th, 2009 Last week we witnessed the ridiculous. UK Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith including the name of America's third highest ranked talk radio host, Michael Savage, on a list of 22 individuals 'unworthy' to step foot on British soil. In Smith's words: “Coming to the U.K. is a...... -
Soccer Memorabilia Sports Memorabilia -> Autographs Original -> Soccer While the United States may not share the same love for soccer as the rest of the world, it is clear that everywhere else soccer and soccer memorabilia is big business. During the last World Cup a cumulative 4 billion people turned into...... -
Rogers Cup Recap - ATP World Tour 1000 Masters Purse: $3,000,000 Hosted in: Montreal, Canada Hosted on: August 10, 2009 to August 16, 2009 Surface: Hard More Information: http://www.ATPWorldTour.com Results for August 16, Sunday Singles Final Results - Andy Murray of GBR defeated J Del Potro of ARG with 67 (4), 76 (3), 61 Doubles Final Results - M...... -
If our Borders Weren’t Porous Enough Imagine this:You're a Mexican, living in a border town that is struggling to make ends meet, and are in search of a better life. You know it will be difficult to find a better job in Mexico with the skills you have, so you decide to go to the U.S.......
