skullbrain.org :: View topic - Smith House Toy & Auction Company

maxaltoman wrote:

toybotstudios wrote:

maxaltoman wrote:

Really cool to see this thread.
My focus is vintage tin space robots and wonder who else on SB are also into these?
Like many others into this stream of collecting, to complete the Gang of Five is the ultimate dream of mine!

What is the story behind the "Gang of Five" ?

In the 1950s and '60s, Japanese toy makers made many futuristic toys, especially robots. The idea of a robot that resembles a person has been part of science fiction for many years.

The most famous of these early robot toys were known as the Gang of Five. These five robots, about 15 inches high, were similar. Each one had a lithographed tin body with graphics that suggested machine parts. "Lavender" robot and red "Machine Man" were similar but different colors. "Giant Sonic Train" robot was red and made a train sound. "Radicon" Robot was radio remote-controlled. "Target" robot had a red target on its chest. It reversed direction when the target was hit by a dart. They were all made by Masudaya in Japan in the 1950s.
There is also a rumoured 6th member of the gang that exist only in prototype and never produced.

"Machine Man" is the rarest and most expensive today. It has sold for more than $42,000. Hence this will always be just a dream unless i strike a $100 million lottery. Back to sofbi collecting, at least i can buy some grail level stuff with $420

Author:	liquidsky [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:47 am ]
Post subject:	Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
Auctions have ended. Not vinyl but interesting vintage: Circa 1955. Advances with walking motion as arms swing. Gun tip and springs are original. The bottom edge of his jacket has some factory touchup. Box bottom has several tears. The box top has several light creases and a small stain of some sort over the word "Explorer" that may be removable. Winning Bid $ 6,328.00 More winning bids and other vintage toy pictures at: http://www.rtam.com/smithhouse/72/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi

Author:	Josh F [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 2:45 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
I am in awe of the level of pieces this auction had. I did not even know about it. Those Tetsujins went for cheap...seems the Osaka tins really did a number on them in recent years. One of the best selections I have seen in a while. Reminds me of why I got out of collecting 50's and 60 Robots though. Just too expensive to build a serious collection.

Author:	toybotstudios [ Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:03 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
damn....hardcore. I wanna get in on that "Gang of Five" min. bid for the rarest "Machine Man" of $25k went un-answered. damn this recession!

Author:	Josh F [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:29 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
I remember the Wyse auction and the Griffith one. The main issue is at the time of the Sotheyby's auction ( this was the one the $74,000 version sold...which was from the legendary Griffith collection, who was a fanatic about toy and box condition and variations),there were only 4 known examples. Since then 15 have been found. The recession has some effect, but i think it is also a matter of rarity lessening and the condition of this particular one is not as clean as the others in both Sotheyby's and the Wyse auction from what I remember. So at $25,000 it might have been too high an opening for many serious collectors. Overall this auction was pretty healthy. The Diamond Planet robot broke $50,000. Considering the last one for sale was in the Lessor collection ( and Mint with an amazing box) for basically the same price ( this one was c9 but with a restored box), shows the prices have not lowered for top level. The Lessor Diamond Robot showed up on Ebay this year, as the seller sold the toy and box individually. The box itself sold for over $15,000. It was sad he split the set though.

Author:	sumatra71 [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 12:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
damn... now that's some serious toy collecting for really real...

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Author:	Paulkaiju [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:34 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
Ahhh Robotank Z. http://www.rtam.com/smithhouse/72/cgi-bin/SHOWITEM.CGI I remember My Dad got me this one as a gift, i think I was 5 or 6. He started it up and it scared the crap out of me. So they took the batteries out, and the next day i took it outside and smashed it to bits with a hammer.

Author:	Paulkaiju [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:40 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
Paulkaiju wrote: Ahhh Robotank Z. http://www.rtam.com/smithhouse/72/cgi-bin/SHOWITEM.CGI I remember My Dad got me this one as a gift, i think I was 5 or 6. He started it up and it scared the crap out of me. So they took the batteries out, and the next day i took it outside and smashed it to bits with a hammer. And oh man... I LOVE big Loo! http://www.rtam.com/smithhouse/72/cgi-bin/SHOWITEM.CGI

Author:	maxaltoman [ Tue Apr 14, 2009 9:56 pm ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
Really cool to see this thread. My focus is vintage tin space robots and wonder who else on SB are also into these? Like many others into this stream of collecting, to complete the Gang of Five is the ultimate dream of mine!

Author:	toybotstudios [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 1:31 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
maxaltoman wrote: Really cool to see this thread. My focus is vintage tin space robots and wonder who else on SB are also into these? Like many others into this stream of collecting, to complete the Gang of Five is the ultimate dream of mine! What is the story behind the "Gang of Five" ?

Author:	maxaltoman [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:09 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
toybotstudios wrote: maxaltoman wrote: Really cool to see this thread. My focus is vintage tin space robots and wonder who else on SB are also into these? Like many others into this stream of collecting, to complete the Gang of Five is the ultimate dream of mine! What is the story behind the "Gang of Five" ? In the 1950s and '60s, Japanese toy makers made many futuristic toys, especially robots. The idea of a robot that resembles a person has been part of science fiction for many years. The most famous of these early robot toys were known as the Gang of Five. These five robots, about 15 inches high, were similar. Each one had a lithographed tin body with graphics that suggested machine parts. "Lavender" robot and red "Machine Man" were similar but different colors. "Giant Sonic Train" robot was red and made a train sound. "Radicon" Robot was radio remote-controlled. "Target" robot had a red target on its chest. It reversed direction when the target was hit by a dart. They were all made by Masudaya in Japan in the 1950s. There is also a rumoured 6th member of the gang that exist only in prototype and never produced. "Machine Man" is the rarest and most expensive today. It has sold for more than $42,000. Hence this will always be just a dream unless i strike a $100 million lottery. Back to sofbi collecting, at least i can buy some grail level stuff with $420

Author:	REdYOdA [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:10 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
toybotstudios wrote: What is the story behind the "Gang of Five" ? Coined by robot collector Robert Lesser...Museum of Science & Industry link... http://tinyurl.com/dhl7tu Masudaya is awesome!

Author:	Joe [ Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:14 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
Learn something new everyday.

Author:	dr_tongues_toys [ Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:36 am ]
Post subject:	Re: Smith House Toy & Auction Company - Metal Robot Auctions
They were repro'd in the late 90's in small wind up form. They did the 6th member also - if I remember correctly. I use to carry them in the shop - made by Rocket USA. They were approx. 5" tall and tin lithoed bodies in matchbook style boxes. Hey - you could of saved yourself a few thousand dollars and shelf space! I think they retailed for around $15.00 - $20.00 each? maxaltoman wrote: toybotstudios wrote: maxaltoman wrote: Really cool to see this thread. My focus is vintage tin space robots and wonder who else on SB are also into these? Like many others into this stream of collecting, to complete the Gang of Five is the ultimate dream of mine! What is the story behind the "Gang of Five" ? In the 1950s and '60s, Japanese toy makers made many futuristic toys, especially robots. The idea of a robot that resembles a person has been part of science fiction for many years. The most famous of these early robot toys were known as the Gang of Five. These five robots, about 15 inches high, were similar. Each one had a lithographed tin body with graphics that suggested machine parts. "Lavender" robot and red "Machine Man" were similar but different colors. "Giant Sonic Train" robot was red and made a train sound. "Radicon" Robot was radio remote-controlled. "Target" robot had a red target on its chest. It reversed direction when the target was hit by a dart. They were all made by Masudaya in Japan in the 1950s. There is also a rumoured 6th member of the gang that exist only in prototype and never produced. "Machine Man" is the rarest and most expensive today. It has sold for more than $42,000. Hence this will always be just a dream unless i strike a $100 million lottery. Back to sofbi collecting, at least i can buy some grail level stuff with $420

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