A classic 1950s Lavender Robot will head Morphy's auction of antique and vintage toys in Philadelphia on August 12 and 13.
More than a dozen robots await toy collectors at the auction, with the premier entry being a 15-inch Masudaya Non-Stop - better known as the Lavender Robot - with its original multi-coloured pictorial box.
This striking member of the Japanese large-bodied, post-war robots, known collectively as the "Gang of Five", could realise $4,000-$8,000. The auctioneer is no stranger to these robots, having previously sold the Mark Solondz collection.
Eighty cast-iron mechanical and still banks will also feature prominently. The mechanical group is led by a coveted Kyser & Rex Mammy with Spoon estimated at $4,000-$7,000, and a J & E Stevens football-theme calamity bank, which is expected to make $4,000-$6,000.
An exceptional and complete Lionel Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Circus Train could also do well.
It has its original tin wind-up train, colourfully decorated circus tent, gas station and other accessory pieces, including the all-important composition figure of circus barker Mickey.
 1950-60s family fun with an $8,000 Lavender Robot |
The auction house describes it as "one of the nicer sets we have ever offered for sale," and the factory-boxed edition comes to auction with a $4,000-$8,000 estimate.
There will also be a strong assortment of toy buses.
The Wayne Mathias collection includes more than 100 toy depictions of Greyhound, Continental Trailways and other lines.
A scarce plastic mould of a Greyhound Scenicruiser - one of several that were sent to Greyhound's top 50 sales offices in the late 1950s - is expected to make $1,000-$3,000.
Paul Fraser Collectibles will bring you all the results from this fascinating auction.
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