Robots and Space Toys Rule at Milestone Auctions
Battery-operated Target Robot from fabulous Japanese Gang of Five series sells for $34,440 to lead march of great toys at auction.
WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – A stellar collection of rare Japanese robots and space toys, including a great example from the famed Gang of Five robot series, highlighted the 835-lot Spring Premier Toy Auction at Milestone Auctions which realized $700,000 during the one-day event in late May.
The undisputed leader of the postwar Japanese rarities was a Masudaya 15-inch battery-operated Target Robot from the Gang of Five series. Extremely bright and beautiful, the all-original robot came with its correct dart gun and two darts, as well as its original pictorial box. Entered with an estimate of $20,000-$25,000, it went the distance and then some, selling for $34,440.
Target Robot’s wingman was a rare Yonezawa battery-operated Jupiter Robot. All original and complete with its correct remote control battery box, it was an exceptionally well-preserved example of one of the most sought-after of all classic robots. Offered together with an attractive repro box, it was chased to $20,400 against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.
The auction waters were also favorable for a great-looking Nomura battery-operated Walking Batman. The super-clean, all-original battery op appeared never to have been played with. Even its cloth cape looked as crisp as the day it marched off the factory production line. Importantly, it retained its visually appealing original box, which has exciting graphics of Batman in crimefighting mode, with Robin visible in the background in the Batmobile. The toy sold for $12,915 against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000.
Another extraterrestrial vehicle that captured bidders’ attention was a rare Daiya tin friction Space Patrol Car. The jaunty red convertible with two astronaut drivers “dressed” in spacesuits and helmets doesn’t come up for sale in the marketplace very often. The toy was all original, complete, and offered with a nice repro box. It more than tripled its high estimate, selling for $9,900.
