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FRIDAY MAY 26, 2023 • VOL. 53, NO. 21
Major Collection Of Rare Robots, Space Toys And Superheroes To Lead Milestone’s Premier Toy Auction
“The Artist’s Mother: Whistler And Philadelphia”
Unusual Japanese Productions Join American Cast-Iron, Tin And Pressed-Steel Classics In Big May 27 Sale
Exciting Exhibit At Philadelphia Museum Of Art Opens June 10
Today, many nations and private companies are engaged in the space race, but there’s no contest as to who the winner is when it comes to space toys. Japan has been the clear and unchallenged leader in the manufacture of robots and space toys since the end of World War II. The imaginative designs of Masudaya, Yonezawa, Nomura and scores of other Japanese firms of the 1950s-70s are revered by collectors who love the toys’ fanciful looks and quirky actions, not to mention the wild artwork on their boxes. Milestone Auctions, the home of great toy collections, will offer a treasure trove of sought-after robots, space toys and dozens of other types of vintage playthings at their Saturday, May 27, Spring Premier Toy Sale. The 881-lot auction is led by an out-of-this-world collection of postwar Japanese rarities, including Tetsujin, Astroboy, Space Ace and everyone’s favorite: a Nomura Walking Batman, with its original box. “There’s already a lot of buzz about these toys because, to our knowledge, no one up until now has auctioned a high-quality Japanese robot, superhero and character collection of this size,” said Miles King, co-owner of Milestone Auctions. The parade of highlights is led by an excellent battery-operated Target Robot from Masudaya’s “Gang of Five” robot series. It’s
depicting a boy in a spacesuit directing Radicon with his remote control. It will be offered with an auction estimate of $15,000$20,000. The androidal parade continues with a rare Yonezawa 13-inchtall 8 Man Walking Robot. This coveted toy is all original and finished in bright primary colors. Even better, it A rare Kyser & Rex cast-iron Santa in Sleigh toy pulled by two reindeer, 13 inches long, is is in working order and comes with its estimated at $6,000-$8,000. fantastic-looking original Japanese-language box with visuals of 8 Man running in space as a rocket zooms past him. The estimate will be $6,000-$8,000. The 8 Man is also the subject of a Yone/Yonezawa 12-inch battery-operated remote-control Thunderbird car. In complete, alloriginal condition, it has a retractable roof and steerable remote control. Its unbeatable graphics include flames along the car’s outer edges, Japanese writing, and images of 8 Man on both the The very scarce Kingsbury motor-driven pressed-steel stake-bed truck, hood (8 Man’s face) and trunk (8 25 inches long, with excellent paint, original white rubber tires, and J.C. Man against a checkered flag). Even Penney “Little Jim” decals, is estimated at $2,500-$3,500. the original box is a work of art, repeating the sensational graphics unusual to encounter an example and colors seen on the car. This toy as clean, original and complete as is a hot ticket and should easily the one offered by Milestone. command $3,000-$5,000. Standing an impressive 15 inches Another rarely seen toy is Tada’s tall and finished in glossy purple, 13-inch tin wind-up Big X thin-leg red and yellow with a red circular walker. All original and complete, target on its chest, it comes with its including its purple cloth cape and correct dart pistol and two darts. winged helmet boldly emblazoned Even better, it retains its colorful with an “X,” the toy is in working original box, making it a top prize order and comes with its original for any collection. Target Robot is pictorial box. Hard to find in any ready for action and has a pre-sale condition, this striking example will estimate of $20,000-$25,000. cross the auction block with a Marching right behind Target $4,000-$6,000 estimate. Robot is his “Gang of Five” brother, Bidding is expected to take off Masudaya’s Radicon Robot. The big, the moment Nomura’s batteryboxy battery-op with a gray indus- operated Walking Batman takes the trial-metal finish is also 100 percent spotlight. “Every robot and superoriginal and comes complete with hero collector wants one for their its correct remote-control box and collection, but on the rare occasion antenna. Radicon is historically sig- that one becomes available, there’s A Masudaya (Japan) 15-inch battery-operated Target Robot from the nificant, as it is considered by pop- always very strong competition, and elusive and highly coveted “Gang of Five” robot series is all original and culture scholars to be the first radio not just from American bidders,” complete and retains correct dart gun and two darts. The original box remote-control-operated toy. It noted King. The Walking Batman is has some restoration. The toy is estimated at $20,000-$25,000. retains its original pictorial box Continued on page 2
When James Abbott McNeill Whistler’s portrait of his mother, Anna Matilda McNeill Whistler, was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in 1881, few could have predicted that it would one day be an iconic American painting. Philadelphia newspapers initially paid little attention to the painting, the second work by the Lowell, Mass., born artist (1834–1903) to be shown in the United States. Its title, “Arrangement in Grey and Black: The Mother” puzzled viewers, as did its somber palette and sparse details. The painting, however, exerted a powerful force on local artists, and Whistler was surprised by the degree to which the public Continued on page 5
Strong Prices At Locati In April Auction Set Of Four Color Lithographs By Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-89) “Playing Cards” Realizes $17,500 Locati LLC, located in Pineville, Pa., concluded its April online auction on April 16 at noon. “This was another good sale with a diverse offering of quality lots,” concluded co-owner Michael Locati. Included in this sale was a Tiffany Studios hanging fixture, which sold for $6,000, hammer price. “Although many 19th-century academic landscapes are selling poorly in this Continued on page 7
In This Issue SHOPS, SHOWS & MARKETS . . . . . . . . . starting on page 2 SHOPS DIRECTORY . . . . . . . . . on page 3 EVENT & AUCTION CALENDAR . on page 4 AUCTION SALE BILLS . . starting on page 5 AUCTIONEER DIRECTORY . . . . on page 5
FEATURED ARTICLE: Allentown Art Museum Exhibit- Page 2
CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . . . .on page 7