On May 3, Milestone Auctions unleashed a fantastic selection of vintage and antique toys that kept bidders engaged from start to finish, whether they were competing live in the gallery, over the phones, or burning the midnight oil via the internet from Europe and beyond. Finishing at $1.1 million (inclusive of buyers premium), the auction was Milestones second dedicated toy auction to surpass the million-dollar mark, with last years New Years Toy Extravaganza blazing thetrail for seven-figure results at $1.3 million. We had a great variety of toys to offer to collectors, including high-quality antique European autos and character toys. Every category attracted its own following, but even before the sale, we knew the hottest group would be the postwar Japanese toys. The prices on some things were just astonishing, like a tin Space Pistol that sold for ten times the high estimate, said Miles King, principal auctioneer and co-owner of Milestone Auctions. The grand marshal of the Japanese tin toy parade was a rare and coveted Yonezawa Atom Jet 58 Racer. Friction-powered and all original, including its tailfin, tires and hubcaps, the impressive 27-inch-long showstopper was offered complete with its original paper-label box. On top of being very rare and one of the largest Japanese cars ever produced, it appeared never to have been played, so that was the perfect trifecta. Bidders didnt hold back, remarked King. Against an estimate of $30,000-$40,000, it sold for $47,970. Robots can bring the big bucks, whether theyre more than a foot tall or roughly half that size. Examples of both were entered in the sale and commanded above-estimate prices. A rare 13-inch battery-operated Yonezawa Jupiter Robot accompanied by its extremely scarce original pictorial box presented in all-original condition, complete with its correct remote-control battery box. It defied its $15,000-$25,000 estimate and was chased to $43,290. At the other end of the size spectrum, a 7.75-inch Yoshiya windup Sparky Robot was in demand for its unusual color motif of chocolate brown with red, white and black accents. Working and in excellent condition, it put in a stellar performance, realizing $9,600 against an estimate of $600-$800. When something exotic appears in a toy auction, the sky can be the limit. Such was the case when a rare Asakusa 8-inch tin friction Mighty Atom (Astroboy) Motorcycle crossed the auction block. In all original condition, with a clean vinyl head, this appealing toy was destined to land a super-premium price, in part, because of its colorful, Japanese-language box. On its lid is a nonsensical but endearing graphic of the popular cartoon character Mighty Atom (Astroboy) riding his motorcycle, shirtless and in shorts, across an Arctic landscape as a seal and five penguins look on from the distance. Entered with a $3,000-$5,000 estimate, it was bid aggressively to $25,830. Following closely in the list of top 10 auction winners was a K Okada 19-inch-long tin friction XY-105 Space Fighter. All original and complete, including its guns and canopy above two correct spacemen drivers, it also retained its original paper-label box. One of the best and most original examples of its type that Milestones specialists had ever seen, it rocketed to $25,800 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000. Also achieving an auction price that exceeded expectations, an MT 7-inch tin friction Flying Saucer X-3000 with its scarce pictorial box showed off excellent color and condition. Estimated at $6,000-$8,000, it closed at $10,200. Even in the world of space toys, very good things come in small packages. An Alps tin friction Space Control pistol proved that point to be true. All original with bright colors and graphics, and accompanied by its original pictorial-label box, it checked out at more than 10 times its pre-sale estimate, selling for $8,100. A flawless Marx battery-operated remote-control Yeti The Abominable Snowman was all original and complete, and appeared never to have been played with. It was accompanied by its crisp original pictorial box, including its correct insert and a mini-storybook about Yeti that came with the toy from the factory. As pristine as the day it was made, the amusing depiction of a mythical Himalayan beast was won for $6,900 against an estimate of $2,000-$3,000. The sale also included 59 lots of all-American Buddy L pressed-steel automotive toys. A #208 Passenger Bus in extremely fine all-original condition measured a full 29 inches long. With exceptional paint and decals, this Midwestern transportation classic changed hands for $9,535 against an estimate of $5,000-$7,000. For further information, call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email info@milestoneauctions.com. All prices quoted in this press release are inclusive of buyers premium, as detailed on Milestones website. All images courtesy of Milestone Auctions.