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The Most Widely Read Collector's Newspaper In The East Published Weekly By Joel Sater Publications www.antiquesandauctionnews.net
VOL. 45, NO. 10 FRIDAY MARCH 7, 2014
“FLYING SPACEMAN” ON MOTORCYCLE SUMMONS SUPERPOWERS TO LAND IN TOP SLOT AT MORPHY’S n exceptional boxed exam-
of a Bandai 12-inch A ple “Flying Space-man” took a wild ride on Feb. 15th at Morphy’s, before settling at $55,200, more than three times its high estimate. Described in the Toy Auction catalog as being “possibly the best known example,” the crisp and colorful Japanese tin-litho motorcycle toy features a vinyl-caped hard-rubber “Superman” rider with a large tin “S” insignia on its chest. “This particular toy was new/old stock with its original box and was found in a toy store in Japan. It’s very uncommon to find a Flying Spaceman in such nice condition, especially with the Superman shield still intact,” said Morphy Auctions’ owner, Dan Morphy. “There was a lot of interest in the toy prior to our sale, and it didn’t surprise me that it went for as much money as it did.” Robots and space toys were strong across the board, Morphy said, with interest from around the world. “I’ve never seen online bidding as active as it was for this sale. From start to finish, there were at least 300 bidders on the
The top lot of the sale was this Bandai Flying Spaceman, tin litho, friction, with original box, which sold for $55,200.
Internet at any given time.” The auction grossed $996,000 (all prices include the 20 percent buyer’s premium). Although only eight inches in height, a beautiful Kanto tin windup “Television Robot” was the object of fierce bidding competition and commanded a price that one might expect of a rare and imposing Gang of Five robot. Together with its richly illustrated factory box, the near-mint extraterrestrial had been entered in the sale with a $15,000-$25,000 estimate. Collectors chased the fine example to $32,400. Other robot highlights included a boxed tin-litho “Inter Planet Space Captain,” selling for $19,800 against an estimate of $ 2 , 0 0 0 $4,000, and two boxed robots that each made $8,400: a Masudaya “Mighty 8 Robot” and a Yo n e z a w a tin-litho and painted-tin crank-wind “ A s t r o The cast-iron mechanical b a n k “Artillery Target,” with cannonballs, manufacturer unknown, patented 1877, sold for $51,600.
Scout.” Space guns, which have their own dedicated following amongst sci fi collectors, were led by a boxed Hiller “Atomic Ray Gun,” $3,000 (est. $400-$600) and a boxed Yonezawa battery-operated “Electro Ray-Gun,” $2,280 (est. $100-$300). A six-inch Ohio Art sand pail charmed bidders with its early, colorful lithographed image of Minnie Mouse paddling a canoe, along with companions Mickey Mouse and Pluto. Estimated at a modest $200-$400, it outperformed all other Disney toys in reaching a final bid of $4,200. Cast-iron mechanical banks were in high demand, with a nearmint-plus example of an Artillery Target bank, complete with
cannonballs, at the forefront. Although the manufacturer of this particular bank is not known, its designer was Samuel Clark of Brooklyn, N.Y., and its patent dates to 1877. Against an estimate of $18,000-$25,000, it hit the bull’s-eye at $51,600. Following closely behind was an 1878 J. & E. Stevens “Patronize the Blind Man and His Dog” bank. One of the nicest of all known examples, it more than doubled its high estimate to realize $50,400. Other banks in the day’s top 10 included: an 1891 J. & E. Stevens “Cat and Mouse,” $26,400; an 1884 Kyser & Rex “Mammy & Child” (rare color variation), $19,200; and an 1878 “Pelican with Rabbit” made by Trenton Lock and Hardware Co., $15,600. “I was very pleased with the results,” said Morphy. “There was an atmosphere of enthusiasm throughout the sale, and many new bidders took part from around the world. Ask any auctioneer and they’ll tell you there’s nothing like new blood to liven up a The Yonezawa Astro Scout, tin litho and painted market. If this sale is tin, crank-wind action, with original box, sold for any indication
A J. & E. Stevens cast-iron mechanical bank “Patronize the Blind Man and His Dog,” patented 1878, sold for $50,400.
what’s to come, 2014 is going to be a very exciting year for us and for the toy hobby.” For more information, call 717-335-3435 or visit www.mor phyauctions.com. All images courtesy of Morphy Auctions.
The Hiller Atomic Ray Gun and original box sold for $3,000.
$8,400.
This Trenton Lock and Hardware This J. & E. Stevens cast-iron Company cast-iron mechanical mechanical bank “Cat and Mouse,” bank “Pelican with Rabbit,” The Kanto Television Robot, tin litho, wind-up, Aoshin Shoten Inter Planet Space Captain, tin litho, o f An patented 1891, sold for $26,400. patented 1878, sold for $15,600. with original box, sold for $32,400. wind-up, with original box, sold for $19,800.