Wanna Buy a Stuffed Horse?

It's not just any horse, but Trigger, the famous golden Palomino ridden by Roy Rogers:

Did you know they preserved Trigger after he died?

Visitors to the now-closed Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum in Victorville likely stared in awe at the (dead) golden palomino.

According to Wikipedia, after Trigger died in 1965, his hide was stretched over a plaster likeness and put on display. The museum, which was relocated to Branson, Mo., closed in late 2009.

Now, Trigger’s famous hide is for sale.

Christie’s in Manhattan is previewing estate items including the remains of the movie cowboy’s famous horse.

According to The Associated Press, unlike the fine furniture, paintings and jewelry that Christie’s is famous for, the centerpiece of this auction is the stuffed and mounted horse rearing on its hind legs. It also will feature another type of horsepower — Rogers’ 1964 Bonneville convertible adorned with collectible silver dollars, its door handles and gear shift replaced by silver-plated pistols.

The car is estimated to draw $100,000 to $150,000. Trigger is expected to fetch $100,000 to $200,000.

Another preserved pet of Rogers will also be for sale: the remains of his dog, Bullet. The auction also will feature about 60 pairs of cowboy boots; the Rogers family dining table; and the Jeep “Nellybelle” from the Roy Rogers TV show.

Christie’s has been overwhelmed with calls from everyone from museum representatives to Roy Rogers fans who wanted a piece of the King of the Cowboys, said Linda Kohn-Sherwood, who is helping oversee the sale. Part of Rogers’ appeal was his charitable image outside the studio. He and Evans adopted several children and started a foundation for children in need.

“They were the Brad and Angelina of the time,” Kohn-Sherwood said.

They were nice people, too. My future wife and I met Roy and Dale on New Year's Eve 1986 when my quartet was performing for a fundraising banquet where they were also featured guests (also there was Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger and many rides at Disneyland).  We had a chance to talk for a bit after the dinner.  When Dale found out we were engaged she talked about how she and Roy had stayed happily married for more than 40 years and wished us the very best.  Here we are together after the event (I just barely made it into the shot):

Nice people.