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 -
Collecting Unique Vintage Car Memorabilia The possibilities are virtually endless when it comes to the different types of memorabilia that you can collect. One example of a type of memorabilia that you may choose to add to your collection is car memorabilia. There has been a rise in popularity in collecting cars and car memorabilia...... -
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...... -
John Wayne Memorabilia Collection If you are a fan of John Wayne, and looking to start a John Wayne memorabilia collection, keep reading. John Wayne memorabilia collections have always been a popular subject, but ever since his 100th birthday was celebrated on May 26 of 2007, the concept of beginning a John Wayne memorabilia...... - 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 - Friday's Quizzlet: We Have a Piper Down Appetizer: On a scale of 1-10 how much do you like your own handwriting? The only time I write in script / cursive is when I'm signing my name. The rest of the time I write in this all caps printing style and I really don't know where it came......
- A Couple Of Precise Hollywood Movie Outlines To View For years now, the video store was the way to get movies. High speed internet access has now made it possible to download movies right off a movie download site. Here are some examples of movies you can acquire through a movie download site. No Name on the Bullet:......
-
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?...... - Watchmen movie and invocation I've not seen the Watchmen movie yet, and somewhat doubt the nihilism and cold war angst will hit a nerve today as it did when the comic was first published in the 1980's. But the point I'm getting at isn't about the Watchmen movie, whether the movie breaks new......
-
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......
