WILLOUGHBY, OHIO .- On May 3, Milestone Auctions unleashed a fantastic selection of vintage and antique toys that kept bidders engaged from start to finish, whether they were competing live in the gallery, over the phones, or burning the midnight oil via the Internet from Europe and beyond. Finishing at $1.1 million (inclusive of buyer’s premium), the auction was Milestone’s second dedicated toy auction to surpass the million-dollar mark, with last year's New Year’s Toy Extravaganza blazing the trail for seven-figure results at $1.3 million.

“We had a great variety of toys to offer to collectors, including high-quality antique European autos and character toys. Every category attracted its own following, but even before the sale, we knew the hottest group would be the postwar Japanese toys. The prices on some things were just astonishing, like a tin Space Pistol that sold for ten times the high estimate,” said Miles King, principal auctioneer and co-owner of Milestone Auctions.

The grand marshal of the Japanese tin toy parade was a rare and coveted Yonezawa Atom Jet 58 Racer. Friction-powered and all original, including its tailfin, tires and hubcaps, the impressive 27-inch-long showstopper was offered complete with its original paper-label box. “On top of being very rare and one of the largest Japanese cars ever produced, It appeared never to have been played, so that was the perfect trifecta. Bidders didn’t hold back,” King said. Against an estimate of $30,000-$40,000, it sold for $47,970.



Robots can bring the big bucks, whether they’re more than a foot tall or roughly half that size. Examples of both were entered in the sale and commanded above-estimate prices. A rare 13-inch battery-operated Yonezawa Jupiter Robot accompanied by its extremely scarce original pictorial box presented in all-original condition, complete with its correct remote-control battery box. It defied its $15,000-$25,000 estimate and was chased to $43,290. At the other end of the size spectrum, a 7¾-inch Yoshiya windup Sparky Robot was in demand for its unusual color motif of chocolate brown with red, white and black accents. Working and in excellent condition, it put in a stellar performance, realizing $9,600 against an estimate of $600-$800.



When something exotic appears in a toy auction, the sky can be the limit. Such was the case when a rare Asakusa 8-inch tin friction Mighty Atom (Astroboy) Motorcycle crossed the auction block. In all original condition, with a clean vinyl head, this appealing toy was destined to land a super-premium price, in part, because of its colorful, Japanese-language box. On its lid is a nonsensical but endearing graphic of the popular cartoon character Mighty Atom (Astroboy) riding his motorcycle – shirtless and in shorts – across an Arctic landscape as a seal and five penguins look on from the distance. Entered with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate, it was bid aggressively to $25,830.



Following closely in the list of top 10 auction winners was a K Okada 19-inch-long tin friction XY-105 Space Fighter. All original and complete, including its guns and canopy above two correct spacemen drivers, it also retained its original paper-label box. One of the best and most original examples of its type that Milestone’s specialists had ever seen, it rocketed to $25,800 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.



Also achieving an auction price that exceeded expectations, an MT 7-inch tin friction Flying Saucer X-3000 with its very scarce pictorial box showed off excellent color and condition. Estimated at $6,000-$8,000, it closed at $10,200.



Even in the world of space toys, very good things come in small packages. An Alps tin friction Space Control pistol proved that point to be true. All original with bright colors and graphics, and accompanied by its original pictorial-label box, it checked out at more than 10 times its pre-sale estimate, selling for $8,100.



A flawless Marx battery-operated remote-control Yeti The Abominable Snowman was all original and complete, and appeared never to have been played with. It was accompanied by its crisp original pictorial box, including its correct insert and a mini-storybook about Yeti that came with the toy from the factory. As pristine as the day it was made, the amusing depiction of a mythical Himalayan beast was won for $6,900 against an estimate of $2,000-$3,000.



Japanese toy interpretations of mid-century American cars are unbeatable for their styling and attention to detail. An Asahi/ATC (15in-long tin friction Chrysler Imperial, all original and complete, boasted sleek lines, rich black factory paint, and outstanding condition. Against an estimate of $6,000-$8,000, it glided easily to $11,700.



The European-toy category featured many charming early-20th-century character toys, including 15 made by the revered French manufacturer Fernand Martin. A very scarce Martin windup Lady Walking with Baby, cloth-dressed over tin and with hand-painted facial features, was bid to $5,850 against an estimate of $1,500-$2,500.



The sale also included 59 lots of all-American Buddy ‘L’ pressed-steel automotive toys. A #208 Passenger Bus in Extremely Fine all-original condition measured a full 29 inches long. With exceptional paint and decals, this Midwestern transportation classic changed hands for $9,535 against an estimate of $5,000-$7,000.

Milestone’s May 3, 2025 Premier Vintage Toy Sale catalog and prices realized can be viewed at Milestone’s website. To discuss consigning to a future toy auction at Milestone, whether it’s a single item or an entire collection, please call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Online: https://www.milestoneauctions.com.