MAGICAL MEMORIES FUEL TEARS AND HEATED BIDDING AT HIGH NOON’S FIRST AUCTION OF THE ROY ROGERS AND DA Mesa, AZ — On Saturday evening, January 30th, 2010, High Noon Western Americana of Los Angeles hosted the first of three auctions to sell the treasured contents of the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum
News-Antique.com - Feb 05,2010 - MAGICAL MEMORIES FUEL TEARS AND HEATED BIDDING AT HIGH NOON’S FIRST AUCTION OF THE ROY ROGERS AND DALE EVANS MUSEUM
Mesa, AZ — On Saturday evening, January 30th, 2010, High Noon Western Americana of Los Angeles hosted the first of three auctions to sell the treasured contents of the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum, which was located in Branson, MO.
In an eloquent statement by Linda Kohn Sherwood, co-owner of High Noon, she expressed the sentiments felt by all people around the world: “While it is true that the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum (Branson, MO) has closed, much to the disappointment of not only the Rogers family but of all his millions of fans, including us at (Los Angeles based) High Noon Western Americana, (www.highnoon.com) these artifacts will spread the beauty, memories and heritage from inside its walls out into the hearts and homes of people everywhere so that we may continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Roy and Dale!”
On January 30th, 2010, the ballroom of the Marriott Hotel in Mesa, AZ was SRO as hundreds packed the venue for a chance to acquire one of the 15 coveted artifacts from the “King of Cowboys.” Hundreds more were registered to bid online and the phone bidders had their plates full. Also in attendance were curators and directors from several major museums.
The auction began promptly at 5pm Saturday. Anyone who attended will likely not soon forget the opening speech given by Roy (Dusty) Rogers, Jr. An impassioned and emotional speech, their wasn’t a dry-eye in the house as Dusty spoke of the legacy of his father and how difficult the closing of the museum has been for his family. He spoke of the promise he made to his father that, when the Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum was no longer financially viable, that the contents should be offered to the world for all to enjoy. With tears in his eyes, he magically joked that he would welcome the opportunity to visit these pieces in the new owners homes… and then the auction began.
When the dust settled, in this first offering of the initial 15 lots from the Museum, over $373,000 was earned highlighted by his Bohlin silver saddle at $103,000 (estimate: $50,000 - $100,000), his personal sterling and gold longhorn buckle for $23,000 (estimate $5,000 - $10,000), guns and gun belt for $74,750 (estimate $20,000 - $30,000) and Rose Parade saddle at $75,000 (estimate $20,000 - $30,000). Even a pair of Roy's personal eagle boots quadrupled its $1000-2000 estimate realizing over $10K.
The energy in the saleroom was electrifying throughout the auction clearly indicating the passion and value fans and collectors world-wide have for the legacy Roy Rogers and Dale Evans left behind.
It is with great pride that High Noon announced following the January 30th event, that the remaining contents of the Museum will be sold in two subsequent sales.
The Roy Rogers Museum Firearms Collection will be sold on June
