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Milestone’s Auctions’ Winter Antique Toy Spectacular Results

WILLOUGHBY, OH – There’s no great Marx prototype Speedboy 4 bike whizzing along with a passenger in tow
mystery as to why vintage toys are so popular made it super appealing to collectors. According
with collectors. They’re colorful, they’re fun, and to Milestone’s research, the toy was discovered
they invariably prompt the comment so familiar in a collection of parts and accessories at an
to auctioneers and toy dealers: “Wow! I had one old Indian motorcycle dealership (the Indian
of those when I was a kid!” One of Milestone company ceased operations in 2003). Entered
Auctions’ specialties is antique and vintage toys, with a $4,000-$6,000 estimate, the rare toy
and the nostalgia factor that drives today’s prices sold for $9,840.
for clean, crisp vintage toys is something they American cast-iron vehicles also had a big
witness at each of their sales, including their day, starting with an oversize, late-19th-century
January 29 Winter Antique Toy Spectacular that Wilkins (Keene, NH) cast-iron water tower fire
took in just under half a million dollars. wagon. An impressive production, it measured a full 44 inches long,
Business partners Miles King and Chris Sammet were elated with the including its trio of 10½-inch-long horses. “This particular Wilkins model
excellent auction results in virtually all toy categories. “There was strong was the largest horse-drawn cast-iron toy ever made,” Miles King noted.
competition for the rare Marx prototypes, which were very high-condition “Cast iron collectors consider it one of the great prizes to acquire.” In
pieces, and a lot of bidder interest in our first major offering of cast-iron all-original condition with no cracks or breaks, it earned a very respectable
toys. We’re going to make sure there’s more high-quality cast iron in our $8,400 against an estimate of $4,000-$6,000.
April toy sale,” King said. Marx “Big Loo” Robot Space toys grabbed the spotlight at Milestone’s January
The demand for toy motorcycles has been off the charts 29 auction, as well. From the postwar era, an especially
for Milestone, and the rare, early examples offered on well-preserved and well-accessorized example of a 38-inch-
January 29th only added fuel to the ever-growing fire. The tall Marx Big Loo Giant Moon Robot also created a stir.
top lot of both the motorcycle section and the sale overall It was in excellent condition and, remarkably, its talking
was a Marx prototype Speedboy 4 with a soldier driver mechanism was tested and deemed to be in fine working
and rear accouterments, including a branded “AMMO” order. With its massive original box displaying rich, unfad-
box and a movable spring-loaded cannon for shooting ed colors, Big Loo caught the eye of multiple bidders and
projectiles. In near-perfect condition, it raced off to a new went on to more than double its high estimate at $3,480.
owner for $16,800 against an estimate of $6,000-$9,000. To discuss consigning a collection or individual item to
Many of the 130 bikes that crossed the auction block Milestone’s April 2022 toy auction, please call 440-527-
came with their original factory boxes, like the Marx 8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All inquiries
windup Indian motorcycle with sidecar in all-original, are kept strictly confidential. Milestone Auctions is located
like-new condition with bright, attractive paint colors. at 38198 Willoughby Pkwy., Willoughby (suburban
Its crisp original box with art depicting an early Indian Cleveland), OH. Online at www.milestoneauctions.com

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