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 -
Rock and Roll Concert Memorabilia Collecting One of the types of collections that is gaining in popularity right now is collecting concert memorabilia. This is because every band seems to be going on tour these days, and in their wake they are all leaving plenty of autographed concert memorabilia for collectors to snap up, stuff into...... -
Bruce Lee Movies Collectibles -> Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia Bruce Lee is a revered name in the martial arts community, and Bruce Lee movies are classics among action and martial arts fans. Lee was more than actor, he actually developed a martial art form called Jeet Kune Do, and popularized the sport in...... -
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...... -
Collector Plates Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Collector Plates One of the most common types of memorabilia for the entertainment world are collector plates. These decorative items adorn the homes of many, but they may not be aware of just how valuable these small collectibles are. While there are plenty of collector...... -
John Wayne Movies Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia John Wayne movies have been a favorite of movie buffs, Western fans and those who like “tough guys” in their films, for many years. Though John Wayne has been gone for almost 30 years, his presence is still such a part of American culture that almost......
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?...... -
Roddick Wins Sony Ericsson Open Andy Roddick defeated Tomas Berdych on Sunday in Key Biscayne, Florida, to win his first Masters 1000 title in almost 4 years. It marks his 4th Masters 1000 title and his second win at Key Biscayne where he also won back in 2004. It also gives him a record...... -
Epic Wimbledon Final Recap The epic Wimbledon final that happened last Sunday between Roger Federer and Andy Roddick has been ruled as the most viewed of all men's finals at the All England Club in the past ten years. According to NBC last Thursday, an average of 5.71 million people had tuned in, in...... -
Davis Cup, Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, Collector Swedish Open The week following Wimbledon was still relatively busy, featuring multiple menâs and womenâs tournaments with few big-name players. The men were busy with the Davis Cup and the Campbellâs Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, while the women battled it out in the Collector Swedish Open. The Davis Cup Quarterfinals brought...... -
Le Jardin Retrouvé and Yuri Gutsatz Le Jardin Retrouvé: was founded in 1975 by Yuri GUTSATZ (1914-2005), Perfume - Composer, who spent the greater part of his career working in one of the most prestigious French companies producing aromatic products. Le Jardin Retrouvé with its limited production, is an attempt to return to the artisanal......
- Apparel Madonna M Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
- Lobby Cards Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
- Pressbooks Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
- Concert Memorabilia Beatles, The B Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
- Skinny Puppy S Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
