1950s-era Japanese "Machine Man" toy robot marches off for $44,850 at Philip Weiss Auctions, Nov. 4

LYNBROOK, N.Y. - Nov. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- LYNBROOK, N.Y. – A vintage, original, battery-operated “Machine Man” toy robot, made in Japan in the 1950s by Modern Toys and standing 14 ¾ inches tall, sailed past its pre-auction estimate of $15,000-$25,000 to finish at $44,850 in an auction held November 4^th by Philip Weiss Auctions. The sale was held in the company’s Lynbrook gallery, at 74 Merrick Avenue.

The robot – one of the most rare and sought after examples and part of the “Gang of Five” – had a clean battery compartment but some condition issues as well, such as scuffs and scratches to the body and a missing compartment switch, but these didn’t deter bidders. It was the top earner of 684 lots offered in an auction dedicated mostly to toys, trains, toy soldiers and die-cast items.

“It was a long and arduous sale, with a lot of bidding that in many cases started out low but eventually climbed up to nice high prices,” said Philip Weiss of Philip Weiss Auctions. “We definitely worked to make this sale a success, and it was.” Around 1,500 people registered to bid online, via Invaluable.com and Proxibid.com. Many phone and absentee bids were taken as well.

Following are additional highlights from the auction. All prices quoted include a 13 percent buyer’s premium.

A pair of Roy Rogers-related lots was a hit with bidders. The first was a circa-1953 fiberglass horse (“Trigger”) 10-cent machine, fully operational and professionally restored, with large decals on each side reading “Roy Rogers Double R Bar Ranch.” The coin-operated mechanical horse was once exhibited at the Midwest Museum of American Art and gaveled for $2,300.

The second was a circa-1954 Roy Rogers “Nellybelle” pressed steel pedal car and trailer, 68 inches long, professionally restored. The pedal car featured red steel disc wheels with chrome hubcaps, folding rear tailgate and folding windshield, and “Trigger” (Roy Rogers’ horse) and “Buttermilk” (Dale Evans’ horse) emblazoned on the side. It sped off for a final price of $1,955.

A tin litho Bing clockwork ferry boat, made in Germany circa 1920s for the American market, 15 ½ inches long and having a flat bottom, a key on the roof with removable stack and a pair of removable flags, brought $2,300. Also, a Marklin 1 Gauge 4-4-2 olive steam loco and 8-wheeled tender, scored big with train enthusiasts who drove the final price up to a commendable $2,242.

Staying with toy trains, two Bassett Lowke Bing lots found new owners. One was a 1 Gauge green 0-6-2 steam locomotive with a 4-wheeled clockwork tender that appears to be Marklin. It sold for $1,668. The other was a live green 0-6-2 1 gauge steam Southern 736 locomotive with an 8-wheeled tender. It hammered for $1,495. Both lots were pulled from an old-time estate.

Philip Weiss Auctions has a full slate of big auction events planned for the rest of this year and on into 2015. On Sunday, Nov. 23^rd, the firm will sell more than 500 lots of stamps, coins, postcards, books and ephemera, starting at 10 a.m. Then on Wednesday, Dec. 17^th, at a rare start time of 10 a.m., 700+ lots of toys, trains, toy soldiers, die-casts, dolls and more will be sold.

For 2015, an estate sale featuring paintings, pottery and porcelain, plus jewelry items from the New York County Public Administrator  will be held on Sunday, Jan. 11^th, at 10 a.m. On Sunday, Jan. 25^th, a sale devoted to militaria, Hollywood memorabilia and rock ‘n’ roll will kick off at 10 a.m. Another Sunday auction, on Feb. 15^th, will feature sports, comics, comic art and animation.

All sales will be held in the Lynbrook gallery, with internet bidding available. The Nov. 23^rd auction will feature hundreds of 19^th and 20^th century U.S. and worldwide stamps, many gold and silver coins, a signed 1961 JFK inauguration ticket, a circa-1843 Peter Force printing of the Declaration of Independence, a Great London circus poster and a Circus Sarrasani circus poster.

Highlights of the Dec. 17^th sale promise to include toy trains by all the famous makers, several toy soldier collections, rare hand-painted military figures, a huge selection of die-cast cars (also by famous makers), a large collection of 1960s and ’70s toys, Steiff dolls, boxed toys from the 1930s-1960s, a single owner collection of 1960s-era GI Joes, vintage character dolls and more.

The Jan. 11^th estates auction will feature a large collection of art glass, with examples by Daum Nancy, Tiffany, Loetz and other makers. The Feb. 15^th auction will contain recently discovered unrestored, high-grade and fresh-to-the-market copies of Batman #1 and #2, a collection from a former cartoonist that will have a fine selection of original comic art, and other collectible items.

Philip Weiss Auctions is always accepting quality consignments for future auctions. To consign an item, estate or collection, you may call them at (516) 594-0731; or, you can send an e-mail to Philip Weiss at Phil@WeissAuctions.com. For more information about Philip Weiss Auctions and the upcoming auctions slated for December and early 2015, visit www.WeissAuctions.com.

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