Milestone Auctions to Hold Premier Antique & Vintage Toy Auction Oct. 17

Top lots include a 1960 Machine Man Robot, Gigantor Tetsujin #28, a 1926 Felix Frolic, a working Marklin steam plant, a windup Popeye Speedboat, a 1939 prototype Buck Rogers Rocket Ship, and a rare Turner 28-inch Yellow Cab

Willoughby, OH — September 2026 — Milestone Auctions will hold its Premier Antique & Vintage Toy Auction on Saturday, October 17, 2026, beginning at 10:00 AM ET at its metro-Cleveland gallery at 38198 Willoughby Pkwy., Willoughby, OH 44094. The 745-lot sale brings together an exceptional assembly of rare robots, early character toys, pressed-steel vehicles, and antique European and American toys, gathered by co-owner Miles King from quietly-held private collections across the country.

"I think collectors are going to be thrilled when they see what’s in this sale," King said. "There are prototypes, toys never before seen at auction, and some toys so rare that only one or two others are known to exist."

Robots

Leading the sale is a fresh-to-market 1960 Masudaya Machine Man, the legendary leader of the "Gang of Five" series. All original and complete with a clean battery compartment, this bright, glossy 15-inch tin robot illuminates its eyes and ears as it walks and performed perfectly when tested. Regarded as one of the rarest and most desirable of all mid-century Japanese robots, this example is estimated at $60,000-$80,000.

A TN Nomura battery-operated Gigantor #5 Tetsujin 28 accompanies Machine Man among the robot highlights. Complete with its original pictorial box and correct plastic remote control battery box, this 10-inch toy retains vivid colors from head to toe and worked well when tested. Unquestionably one of the rarest of all Japanese Tetsujin toys, the last comparable example at auction commanded more than $60,000. This example carries a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$60,000.

Early Character Toys

Among the early character toys, a Chein Felix Frolic tin windup platform toy, circa 1926, is one of only four known to exist. The 13-inch-long platform features a 9-inch Felix figure that moves back and forth in a walking motion, flanked by additional 5-inch Felix figures and 4-inch red mice. The toy worked perfectly when tested and presents in excellent condition, with only minor scattered wear, a few spots of factory touchup, and some restoration to the side of one mouse. It is estimated at $20,000-$30,000.

A Hoge 14-inch windup Popeye Speedboat presents in superb original condition with very little wear. Unusual among Popeye toys, this green and cream craft left the factory with the number "400" stenciled on its bow rather than the Popeye label seen on standard production pieces. It is considered one of the rarest Popeye toys of all, with only minor oxidation to the rudder and propeller. Estimate: $15,000-$20,000.

Marklin Steam Plant and Battleship

A sensational oversize Marklin working steam plant, likely produced for showroom or trade show display, is one of only two known examples and the only one believed to reside in North America. Measuring 47 inches by 34.5 inches by 34.5 inches, the two-section plant houses a horizontal steam boiler, pressure gauges, a vertical stack, a flywheel, pulleys, and accessories including an oilcan and small brass cup. Both platforms show possible period or factory paint touchup. This museum-quality piece carries a pre-sale estimate of $40,000-$60,000.

Also from Marklin, a pre-1906 First Series Nicholas II Battleship, named for the last emperor of Russia, measures 21 inches long with its original hull and deck intact. The cannons are original and stamped "CM" (Cannon Model), and the windup mechanism is in fine working order. Some paint restoration is present on the superstructure, masts, and lifeboats, typical of early Marklin watercraft. Estimate: $15,000-$25,000.

Prototypes and Pressed Steel

A 12-inch prototype of the Marx 1939 New York World’s Fair Rocket Ship is based on the manufacturer’s standard Buck Rogers Rocket Ship but features an added front cockpit and wonderful painted details. Passengers are visible in the windows, "New York World’s Fair 1939" is painted on the tail, and "ERIE 12-7-38 1769" is hand-painted on the bottom. King called it "possibly the finest Marx prototype we have ever had the pleasure of offering for sale." Pre-sale estimate: $10,000-$15,000.

A 28-inch Turner pressed-steel Lincoln Yellow Cab is one of only two known and the first of its kind ever offered at public auction. All original, with attractive orange and black paint and strong "Yellow Cab" stenciling on both sides, this monumental toy is estimated at $10,000-$20,000.

A 1920s Gendron Marmon pedal car, all original at 48 inches long and outfitted with windshield, cowl light, hood ornament, horn, and spotlight, carries an estimate of $8,000-$12,000.

Motorcycles and Additional Highlights

Among the 150 European, American, and Japanese motorcycles in the sale, a standout is a pre-war Japanese 10.5-inch "Gun-Yo" tin windup military trike motorcycle with finely detailed lithography. The helmeted driver wears an orange uniform jacket with crimson armbands, side-laced boots, and star-embossed gloves, and carries a gun and dagger at his waist. Pinstriping, rivets, and faux tire treads complete the visual detail. With a working windup mechanism, this colorful, excellent-condition rarity is estimated at $10,000-$15,000.

Further highlights among the 745 lots include a boxed Masudaya Gang of Five Radicon Robot, an Atom Jet racer, a large IY Japan tin friction Harley-Davidson Motorcycle with a very rare pictorial-label box, a Toonerville Trolley’s Aunt Eppie Hogg tin windup, a boxed 1880s Vielmetter Clown Artist, a boxed battery-operated Superman Tank, a boxed battery-operated Yeti, boxed Spic and Span, a Distler Banana Man, and other rare character toys, along with American horse-drawn cast-iron toys and early German cars.

Live bidding will be available at the gallery, and Milestone also welcomes absentee, phone, and online bids through Milestone Live, LiveAuctioneers, and Invaluable. Worldwide shipping is available. For catalogues and bidding information, visit Milestone Auctions.