Super-rare Walking Batman, Robots, Space Toys, Other 19th/20th-century Favorites Ready to Impress at Milestone's Oct. 13 Premier Vintage Toy Auction
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio, Oct. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The color, action and irresistible charm of antique and vintage toys will be on full display during Milestone's October 13 auction in suburban Cleveland. More than 700 lots ranging from coveted early 20th-century German clockwork characters to mid-century superheroes and flashy '50s vehicles await collectors, who may bid in person, absentee, by phone or live online.
"The level of condition from start to finish is just incredible," said Milestone co-owner Chris Sammet. "We set the bar very high with all of our Premier sales, but I can say without any hesitation that this is the most outstanding selection of clean, original toys we've ever offered."
Many dozens of robots, space toys and superheroes will be ready to take the spotlight, and all eyes are sure to be on a TN battery-operated Walking Batman in impeccable condition. "This toy is a dream for collectors since it's new old store stock and has never been played with," Sammet said. "It's all original and complete, and there isn't a better example out there. The rich colors and high gloss have to be seen to be believed." The 12-inch toy is accompanied by its spotless original Japanese-version box depicting "Adam West" as Batman and Robin in the Batmobile. Auction estimate: $10,000-$15,000.
Another extraterrestrial prize is the boxed Mechanical Moon Robot (Robby the Robot lookalike). This wind-up toy is complete and appears never to have been played with. Estimate: $2,500-$3,000.
A Marx tin wind-up Sparkling Rocket Fighter Ship exemplifies how manned spaceships were envisioned long before Star Wars or even the Space Race. The 12-inch-long tinplate craft includes the often-missing tailfin, and retains its visually spectacular pictorial box. Estimate: $600-$800. An incredibly rare factory case contains 12 TootsieToy Buck Rogers 25th Century Battle Cruisers, each pristine and in its original pictorial box. Like the aforementioned Walking Batman, it is new old store stock. Estimate: $2,000-$3,000
A circa-1875 Ives Mechanical Performing Monkey with handbells is truly a museum-quality toy. "Not only is it in unbelievably fine collection with bright, unfaded clothing and perfect facial paint, it also has its original factory box with pictorial label," Sammet said. Estimate: $3,000-$4,000.
There's an impressive array of 1930s through postwar-era toys to delight Disney collectors, with many examples of Mickey Mouse and other character toys that seldom appear at auction in such sparkling condition. Among the highly regarded Linemar productions are a tin wind-up Mickey on Unicycle, $400-$600; Mickey Cyclist, $300-$500; and boxed Mickey Mouse Dipsy Car, $400-$600. A mint-condition 1940s Mickey Mouse watch with original box will cross the auction block with a $300-$500 estimate. A rare, near-mint Marx boxed set houses Pinocchio and Figaro the Cat tin wind-ups, both in top-notch condition. Estimate: $1,000-$1,500.
That muscle-bound, spinach-loving cartoon sailor Popeye will be showing off many skills, such as boxing, tumbling, blowing bubbles, jig dancing, and piloting an airplane, as depicted in a 1935 tin wind-up Popeye Express. All original and as fresh as the day it rolled off the Marx assembly line, this toy depicts daredevil aviator Popeye circling above a train with an annoyed Olive Oyl as its passenger and Wimpy as a spectator. Along with its profusely illustrated original box, it is estimated at $1,000-$1,500.
A fleet of pressed-steel automotive toys includes many leading brands. A 33½-inch oil tanker with original decals and tandem tires is estimated at $2,000-$2,500. A cast-iron highlight is Hubley's Harley-Davidson Parcel Post motorcycle with all-original paint and Harley decal. This much-admired bike comes with its correct blue-uniformed driver. Estimate: $2,000-$2,500
For additional information call Miles King: 440-527-8060. Email [email protected]. www.milestoneauctions.com
SOURCE Milestone Auctions
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