Milestone Auctions – “Toy Extravaganza Auction”
December 10 at 10 am
38198 Willoughby Parkway Willoughby, Ohio 44094
www.milestoneauctions.com
milestoneauctions@yahoo.com
(440) 527-8060

WILLOUGHBY, OHIO — Every antique toy collector dreams of finding something rare and exotic under the Christmas tree, and sometimes those dreams come true. But there is an alternative that offers much better odds. Those who don’t want to risk receiving a clip-on tie or box of stale chocolates can find — and bid on — hundreds of rare and beautiful toys in Milestone Auctions’ December 10 Winter Toy Extravaganza. The suburban Cleveland company may be known for selling every type of high-end collectible from antique firearms to vintage petroliana, but toys are special to the Milestone crew. It’s one of the categories upon which their brand was founded, and its following among collectors is rock solid.

“Because we’ve been involved with antique toys for so long, we understand what collectors want. We travel constantly, visiting collections and estates, attending shows, and following up on leads in person,” said Milestone Auctions co-owner Miles King. “We’re especially excited about the December 10 sale because it contains some of the rarest and finest toys we’ve ever handled. Some come with their extremely scarce original boxes, and many are fresh to the market.”

Robots and space toys have always found the atmosphere welcoming at Milestone’s events, and expectations are high for the approximately four dozen extraterrestrial entries in the December 10 sale. Highlights start with an original Yonezawa (Japan) tin windup Diamond Planet Robot with a rare blue body with red arms color scheme. It is one of the most elusive of all post-World War II robots, and few have ever appeared at auction.

“The 10-inch-high Diamond Planet is actually the largest windup robot ever produced. It has a great look with its prominent googly eyes, detailed chest gauges and sparks that are visible through a red gel when the toy is activated. Many collectors will be chasing this robot,” Miles King predicted. Accompanied by a high-quality repro pictorial box, the all-original Diamond Planet Robot will cross the auction block with a $30/50,000 estimate.

From the coveted Masudaya Gang of Five lineup of big, boxy, battery-operated tin robots comes an eye-catching 15-inch-tall Target Robot. An exceptional original example sporting bright colors and a high gloss, the Japanese classic is complete, in working order (when tested) and accompanied by the correct dart gun and dart for shooting at the robot’s bright-red chest target ($12/15,000).

From another celestial realm is another rarity: a 1978 Kenner Star Wars Jawa vinyl-cape action figure on a crisp 12 Back-A card with clear bubble. Among the most desirable of all early Kenner Star Wars figures, Milestone’s Jawa is in beautiful condition and was recently AFA graded 80+ Near Mint. A similar example with a lower grade of AFA 80 was sold earlier this year by another auction house for nearly $41,000, supporting Milestone’s estimate of $40/50,000.

The 873-lot auction is brimming with rare European tin toys, and who better to lead the parade than Mickey Mouse, who never seems to age even though he just turned 94 years old. Milestone is proud to offer a Disney classic: a rare, original and complete Distler Mickey Mouse Organ Grinder (Hurdy-Gurdy) with the unheard addition of its original pictorial box. In excellent condition with bright colors and wonderful graphics, the German-made toy qualifies for the description of “museum quality” and is offered at $25/35,000.

Also, by Distler, the comical tin windup Directional Policeman car in all-original working condition is so rare, even Milestone’s toy specialists have never seen another one like it. With a rich palette of colors and graphics exhibiting all sort of vehicles, people, dogs and driving-related symbols, this incredibly rare toy could reach $10/15,000 on auction day.

Other European tin highlights include an all-original, boxed Lehmann (Germany) windup “Snick Snack,” depicting a well-dressed gentleman walking two dogs on “leashes” ($8/10,000); and a Victor Bonnet (France, successor to Fernand Martin) “Madelon Casseuse D’Assiettes.” It is in excellent condition and retains its scarce original box ($1,5/2,000).

On April 9, Milestone achieved a world-record $105,000 for a boxed Linemar battery-operated Pop and Olive Oyl tank; the cartoon couple returns to the spotlight in the form of two Linemar 5-inch tin mechanical nodders. Both figures are all-original and complete, and each comes with a very attractive original box. They will be auctioned consecutively, each at $2,5/3,500.

The fully illustrated catalog may be viewed online at www.liveauctioneers.com.

Milestone Auctions’ December 10 Winter Toy Extravaganza will take place at the company’s gallery, at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, beginning at 10 am ET. All forms of remote bidding will be available, including absentee and live online through Milestone’s bidding platform or LiveAuctioneers. For additional information, 440-527-8060, info@milestoneauctions.com or www.milestoneauctions.com.

Auction Preview Available Week of Auction & 8:00 AM Auction Day
Milestone Auctions is proud to present this auction event.
Many wonderful Toys will be offered in this 1-day sale! Collectors will have the chance to bid on examples of many different categories of Antique Toys & Star Wars Toys!!
• Wonderful collection of Robots and Space Toys! Includes “Diamond Planet Robot” & More!!!
• Great selection Star Wars Figures! Many Graded!!
Includes 12-Back A Vinyl Cape Jawa AFA 80+
• Great collection of Early Mickey Mouse & Disney Toys, Popeye Toys, and More Character Toys!
• Many tin Windups by Marx, Chein, Lindstrom, Ohio Art, Wyandotte, and Linemar, More!! Many with original Boxes!!
• Rare Marx Prototypes!!
• Great selection of Hand Painted German Toys, Lehmanns, Distler, Gunthermann, and More!!
• Plus, great collection of Pressed Steel Trucks by Buddy L, Keystone, American National, Keystone, Tonka, and More!!!