The Things I'd Like At The LAURIE MAOZ XX C TOYS AUCTION PART II

This auction goes live at 10:00 AM PT today, 10 December 2015. It was hoped that this post would be up before the day but other things did not permit. The items below are just a few of interest. The comments about them are what might be considered for each one. Unfortunately, a strick budget prevents myself from jumping in to the bidding fray so I'll just blog about it. If you're catching this post in time, like any of the items, and you've got cash to spare, the auction is live at liveauctioneers - to get there click here.

Flying 'Astro Boy/Tetsuwan Atomu' © NTV, 1981 

The original box.

The listing doesn't have an image of the actual figure. This is it. (via ToyHaven)

 Lot 5005

This is 'The New Astro Boy' ('Shin Tetsuwan Atomu') battery-operated figure based on the 1980 animated series and manufactured by Yone, Japan for the Japanese market in 1981. He's 9" tall, made of hard plastic, can walk on a hard surface, or he can hang from the ceiling by a connection on his belt and fly around propelled by an add-on propeller that attaches to the bottom of this feet. This Astro Boy is hard to find with all the parts and the original box. Like almost all listings for this auction, the seller doesn't provide a lot of details on the item. The starting bid of $450 is a bit on the high end but considering how hard he is to find it may be a worthwhile investment for an Astro Boy collector (and there are a lot of them).

The 1973 Corgi Batmobile with Batman & Robin in the first black tire 'whizzwheels' version.

Lot 5031

This looks like an outstanding example of this Corgi classic. The car and box appear mint. The seller has even left the contents of the instructional envelope intact. The estimate for this item by the seller is $1,000 – $1,100 with a starting bid of $850. That's pretty close to what you'll find for the 1973 Corgi Batmobile with collectors. It may be just a tad on the higher end but this particular example might be worth it. I did locate an eBay listing for $474.19 (including shipping) here. That's a big savings and although it's in good shape it doesn't impress as much as this example.

The 1969 Remco Voice Control Astronaut Base

Lot 5127A

This is a difficult set to find in complete and working condition. Besides including figures, vehicles, a helicopter, and a working rocket launchpad, the command center building doubles as a neat record player. Two records feature actual NASA recordings that can be listened to with the 'Electro-Phone' headset. The estimate is $500 – $600 with a starting bid of $400. I saw a complete set sell on eBay for $130 relatively recently but that is a very rare occurrence. This Astronaut Base is a Space Age gem and would be worth inquiring about with the seller.

The 1955 Robot ST1 - German Made by Strenco

Lot 5144

A very prized vintage robot. The starting bid is $1,950. That's pretty competitive with the average collector's value, if the betting doesn't drive it up too high. Below is a photo of ST1 with the trolley from Strenco manufactured in 1956. So much super.

Image via evanism at Alphadrome

 The 1977 Mego battery operated, BATMAN COMMAND CONSOLE 

Lot 5236

In 2009 Hake's valued the console in mint condition with original instruction sheet at $100 to $200 - it sold at $126.50. In this auction it's valued at $300 to $400 and a starting bid of $275. Kind of iffy about this investment, but it's a cool item to own.

1958 Marusan friction-drive 'Robby' Robot Bulldozer

Lot 5246B

This is a super find. As is pointed out in the listing, the 'Robby' version of the Marusan Bulldozer is more rare than any other. The estimate is $1,200 – $1,400 with a starting bid of $1,150. Christie's sold one of these beauties in November 2005 - their estimate: $343 - $515. Realized price: $350. And Christie's came with an original box. Go figure. There is currently an eBay listing with a 'Buy Now' price of $479. It will be interesting to see if this one sells.

1960s SH Horikawa Video Robot

Lot 5249

This is a listing that would be so much better if there was a photo of the actual robot. Apparently there are two styles of this Horikawa video robot. The two are pictured below. The robot on the left has 'VIDEO' under the screen. The robot on the right has dials. Mr. Mercury at the Collecting Toy Robots site believes that the 'VIDEO' robot is more in keeping with the original box which suggests that it's the earlier one.

Strangely,  although the 'VIDEO" robot is seen less frequently, I find that the robot with the dials is more often than not more expensively valued. Whichever the case, this is a listing I would definitely consider - if I had the moola. I've wanted one for a while. Just look at this...ponder the coolness of the 'video':

1990 'Gorby' To America With Love Doll Figure

Lot 5384

A vinyl version of Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union from 1990-1991. When his stomach is squeezed his mouth mouth moves up and down. Historical and too cute - complete with topside birthmark. The starting bid is $150. You can save lotsa dollars by grabbing this one on eBay for $24 (including shipping) here.

1995 'BATMOBILE of 1950' - Highly Detailed Solid Model Kit, 1:24 Scale, Sculpt by Sen Maruyama. Officially licensed by DC Comics.

Lot 5363

Great sculpt based on the 1950 DC Comics way cool Batmobile design. High detailing makes for a fun model to assemble. Starting bid of $120 is competitive with a common 'buy now' price of $150 - $170.

1966 Aladdin Batman & Robin Lunchbox w/ Thermos

Lot 5504

Good condition. Starting bid of $350 on the high side but not by that much.

1950s Sterlite 'Space Patrol' Drink Mixer Spaceship w/ Red Drinking Straw

Lot 5814

Another interesting listing. This Space Patrol Drink Mixer looks very sturdy and the red/yellow colors are fab. It's the one I've seen a couple times in the past. Recently another version's been popping up. It's made out of a see-thru pink plastic with a clear plastic straw included. The one below is up for sale here on eBay for $125. I'd personally want the red/yellow rocket as it displays nicer and seems more heavy duty - this one has a starting bid of $250. Although not knowing about the differences between the two I would definitely inquire with the seller..

And finally, the 1977 Star Team ZEM-21 Zeroid Poseable Action Figure From Ideal

Lot 5834

This was the Ideal Toys' Star Team universe answer to C3P0. He's intended as a companion to the ZEROID robot. The vinyl plastic head design really makes ZEM-21 way cool. The original window box looks a bit worn but the humanoid looks in good shape. The estimate is $100 – $150 with a starting bid of $74. A very lightly used ZEM-21 with a near mint window box is selling on eBay for $80 (including shipping) here.

So there ya have it. Some neat stuffs in the Laurie Maoz XX C Toys Auction Part II. There are 792 items in this auction, if you want to check out the others you can view them at liveauctioneers by clicking here.

New: High-Fi Radio Podcast - 10

Atomica projects resume, beginning with High-Fi Radio Podcast - 10:

High-Fi Radio Podcast - 10 by Atomic Scout on Mixcloud

For A Half-Hour Take A Step Into Para-Lex Radio Soundz

Scout's Para-Lex Radio Podcast - One by Atomic Scout on Mixcloud

The Seemingly Impossible Mission For Space Cadets In 1953

In 1953 Ralston foods began distribution of Space Patrol premium trading cards inspired by the popular 1950's TV and radio outer-space drama - one random card was included in every box of Wheat and Rice Chex. The complete set consists of 40 separate cards - needless to say, the collectors probably had to buy a whole lot of Chex cereals to get them all. But what good space cadet could resist trying? The collection came in three sub-sets - Space Heroes/Stars, Rockets/Jets and Weapons (it really should have been Rockets/Jets and Tech), and Planets. The three sub-sets are shown below - the full color illustrations are way cool. This full set auctioned at Hake's in May 2007 - the final winning bid was $4,437.62. It was the first complete set ever sold in Hake's 40 year history.  (Click on the images to enlarge)

Space Heroes/Stars

Rockets/Jets and 'Weapons'

Planets

Do You Have A Permit For That Space Gun?

These came out in the 1950s - before they got space gunz off the streets.

Every Space Gun came with a permit which made it way too easy for felons to obtain the weapon.

Space Gunz were also fully automatic with easy to load cartridges - the number of PEZ rounds per minute was just crazy.

(images via Hake's)

Imagining In 3D: Space Age Cool For Kids

It begins with a box:

The Explorer And Vanguard Tracking Station

Every smart space age kid knew that Explorer 1 was the first U.S. Earth satellite launched on 1 February 1958. It looked like this:

Image via NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology

Vanguard 1 was the second U.S. Earth satellite to achieve orbit - it was launched 17 March 1958. Vanguard 1 was the first solar powered satellite with six solar power cells attached. This satellite achieved a higher orbit than Explorer 1 and it remains as the oldest human artifact in space. It looks like this:

Image via Encyclopaedia Britannica

So now that you know what to look for, let's get a look at what's inside that box at the top of this post. The Structoys 1958 battery operated Explorer and Vanguard Tacking Station:

You'll first notice the 'radar scope' window - looking inside you'll see Earth which is lit by an eerie green glow when the station is in operation. Revolving around Earth are Explorer 1 and Vanguard 1. On the top left of the station is a rotating radar dish. The red and green lights below the dish on the console alternately blink on and off. On the top left of the console is a telegraph tower topped with a red beacon. Below the tower on the base of the console is a red metal 'code signal key' for Morse code telegraphy. A buzz can be heard as the code is tapped out on the signal key and the beacon atop the tower blinks. A red nob on the center of the base controls the on/off function of the unit.

The Tracking Station is a tin litho beauty with super graphics all the way around.

Tracking Station back view, top view, and left side view.

With a unit like this a kid's imagination could step out of internal space and right into the world of 3D -  creating a realism of imagination that could not only be seen and heard, but touched as well. And that's way cool.

The images in this post are via Grand Old Toys - this particular pristine, completely functional unit in the original box was sold online for $610.

H/T to Luis Cesar for reminding me about this fab space age toy.