As its auction catalog testifies, page after page, Milestones toy team reached for the top shelf in selecting the lineup of superstars for its Saturday, Oct. 17, Premier Antique and Vintage Toy Auction. Milestones co-owner Miles King traveled from coast to coast several times this year, visiting quietly-held private collections that he described as very low profile, but very high quality. He returned with some of the finest consignments his Ohio-based company has handled since they first opened for business 12 years ago. I think collectors are going to be thrilled when they see whats in this sale, said King. There are prototypes, toys never before seen at auction, and some toys so rare that only one or two others are known to exist. The Marklin sample steam plant, which is massive in size and actually works, is one of only two known. Its an engineering masterpiece, even by todays standards, finished King. Mid-century Japanese robots lead the parade of heavy hitters, starting with a fresh-to-market 1960 Machine Man. What can be said about the legendary leader of Masudayas Gang of Five that hasnt been said before? Every collector wants one, but few will ever own one. Theyre exquisitely rare, and the small number known to exist in collections today probably arose from hibernation long ago. With that in mind, robot collectors with high hopes are already making room on their shelves just in case they land the bright, glossy, super-clean 15-inch stunner entered in Milestones sale. All original and complete, with a clean battery compartment, the boxy tin giant with eyes and ears that illuminate as he walks worked perfectly when tested. This showstopper will cross the auction block with a $60,000 to $80,000 estimate. Not far behind Machine Man in the rarity stakes, theres a TN Nomura battery-operated Gigantor #5 Tetsujin 28 with its original pictorial box. All original with the correct plastic remote control battery box, this 10-inch toy looks as though it has never been played with. Over the decades since its manufacture in the anime-crazed 1960s, it has retained its bright colors from head to toe, and when tested, it worked well. Unquestionably, Gigantor #5 is one of the rarest of all Japanese Tetsujin toys. The last example of its type to reach the auction marketplace commanded more than $60,000. Graded in excellent condition, Milestones Machine Man is expected to land in the same price range. It carries a $40,000 to $60,000 estimate. Designed and created by Marklin, a sensational oversize sample of a working steam plant, possibly made for showroom or trade show display, is a testament to world-class German engineering. By far the largest and most elaborate steam plant ever built by the premier Continental toymaker, it is one of only two known and the only one believed to reside in North America. It measures 47 by 34.5 by 34.5 inches. One of its sections houses a horizontal steam boiler, pressure gauges and a vertical stack, while the other section accommodates a flywheel, pulleys and accessories, including an oilcan and small brass cup. Both platforms show some possible paint touchup, either from the factory or of the period. Intricately detailed throughout, this extraordinary museum-quality antique is cataloged with a presale estimate of $40,000 to $60,000. While on the subject of the esteemed German toy manufacturer Marklin, an excellent example of its pre-1906 First Series Nicholas II Battleship, named for the last emperor of Russia, is 21 inches long with original hull and deck intact. The superstructure, masts and lifeboats have some paint restoration, which is typical of early Marklin craft. The cannons are original and stamped CM (Cannon Model). The windup mechanism is in fine working order, and it will be estimated at $15,000 to $25,000. An outstanding 12-inch prototype of Marxs 1939 New York Worlds Fair Rocket Ship is based on the manufacturers standard Buck Rogers Rocket Ship but has an added front cockpit and painted details. Images of passengers are visible in the windows, and New York Worlds Fair 1939 is painted on the tail. Any space toy or Worlds Fair memorabilia collector seeking something truly rare and exotic should not overlook this unique piece. Miles King remarked, It is possibly the finest Marx prototype we have ever had the pleasure of offering for sale. Its presale estimate is $10,000 to $15,000. Every toy motorcycle collector is on the lookout for pre-WWII productions, especially the rare ones in supreme condition with precisely-detailed lithography. A standout amongst the 150 European, American and Japanese motorcycles in the sale fit that description perfectly. A pre-war Japanese rarity, the 10.5-inch Gun-Yo tin windup military trike motorcycle was artfully lithographed with extreme attention paid to even the smallest details. The driver, a helmeted Japanese soldier, has crimson armbands on his orange uniform jacket, wears side-laced boots and star-embossed gloves, and is equipped with a gun and dagger at his waist. Rivets, pinstriping and faux tire treads and wheel bolts add to its visual appeal. With a working windup mechanism, this colorful, highly desirable motorcycle in excellent condition is estimated at $10,000 to $15,000. Other highlights from the sales 745 lots include a boxed Masudaya Gang of Five Radicon Robot, Atom Jet racer, large IY Japan tin friction Harley-Davidson Motorcycle with very rare pictorial-label box, Toonerville Trolleys Aunt Eppie Hogg tin windup, bizarre tin Batmobile with splashy Japanese writing, boxed 1880s Vielmetter Clown Artist, boxed battery-op Yeti, pressed-steel trucks, boxed battery-operated Superman Tank, racers, boxed Spic and Span, Distler Banana Man, other rare character toys, American horse-drawn cast-iron toys and early German cars and motorcycles. A very rare 1920s Gendron Marmon pedal car, all original and well accessorized, is offered with an $8,000 to $12,000 estimate. Milestones auction will be held at its metro-Cleveland gallery located at 38198 Willoughby Parkway, Willoughby, Ohio, at 10 a.m. ET. In addition to live bidding at the gallery, Milestone welcomes all other forms of remote bidding: absentee; phone; or live online through Milestone Live, LiveAuctioneers, or Invaluable. Worldwide shipping available. For additional information, call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions except where otherwise noted.