Space toys: charting a course from Buck Rogers to Star Wars

Known as the tulip head robot, this Japanese tin litho battery-op Space Robot X-70 made $3,000 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2017 at Dan Morphy Auctions. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
Known as the tulip head robot, this Japanese tin litho battery-op Space Robot X-70 made $3,000 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2017 at Dan Morphy Auctions. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
Known as the tulip head robot, this Japanese tin litho battery-op Space Robot X-70 made $3,000 plus the buyer’s premium in April 2017 at Dan Morphy Auctions. Image courtesy of Dan Morphy Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Given the enduring fascination with science fiction and space travel, it’s no surprise that collectors ardently pursue space-themed toys. The trifecta of this category comprises toy ray guns, spaceships and robots with a common denominator being the action of these toys, many of them battery-operated. Glowing red or flashing “laser” lights along with popping, clicking or whirring sounds add to the fun.

Continue reading

Vintage Buck Rogers collectibles go back to the future

A Buck Rogers celluloid button sold in March 2019 for $2,764 plus the buyer’s premium at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A Buck Rogers celluloid button sold in March 2019 for $2,764 plus the buyer’s premium at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.
A Buck Rogers celluloid button sold in March 2019 for $2,764 plus the buyer’s premium at Hake’s Auctions. Image courtesy of Hake’s Auctions and LiveAuctioneers.

NEW YORK — Space exploration continues to fascinate. Millions watched Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon, followed the troubled Apollo 13 mission and viewed launches of civilian astronauts on rockets funded by billionaires Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson. Closer to home, space toys have provided hours of imaginative play for kids of all ages, and a longtime favorite in this field has been the fictional Buck Rogers.

Continue reading