Marx prototype robot ‘Charlene’ used her feminine wiles to win gold at Milestone’s $861K Premier Vintage Toy Auction

Other big winners: boxed Tremendous Mike robot, Buddy ‘L’ pressed-steel Tugboat, American National Packard Roadster pedal car, comical Distler Directional Policeman Car, and 1966 tin Batmobile

WILLOUGHBY, Ohio – A comical German-made police car, pressed-steel rarities of the pre- and postwar era, and a robot that was pretty in pink were among the entries that landed in the top 10 at Milestone’s October 5 Premier Vintage Toy Auction. More than 700 high-quality lots from long-held collections took the spotlight at the company’s suburban-Cleveland gallery, with hundreds of phone and Internet competitors vying against in-person bidders to produce an exciting day of estimate-topping prices. After the hammer fell on the final lot, presiding auctioneer and Milestone Auctions co-owner Miles King confirmed that the sale had achieved a robust $861,000. 

Even those with little knowledge of robots could have taken one look at “Charlene” – the auction’s top lot – and recognized that she was something quite special. A prototype made by Marx, the 38-inch-tall plastic robot was designed by Harry Evanhoff in 1963 as a “wife” for the legendary toy manufacturer’s male ’bot named Big Loo. Like her hubby, Charlene was designed with a green plastic body and cone-shaped head, but her eye-catching color scheme also included pink secondary and accent colors, red lips, and decidedly feminine lace and fishnet trim. She came to auction with a blue Louis Marx & Co., Glendale, West Virginia, sample tag that said 7650-X Loo and SEND GLENDALE/CHARLENE. Uniquely historical and with provenance from the Frank Bartzyel collection, the robot intended to be “Mrs Loo” sold for $21,600 against an estimate of $10,000-$15,000.

Following closely Charlene in the robot stakes was an ASC (Aoshin Shoten, Japan) tin windup Tremendous Mike Robot accompanied by its rare original box. All original, super-clean and complete – even including its easily-lost antenna – the highly desirable 10-inch robot commanded $19,065 against a pre-sale estimate of $8,000-$10,000. 

Of all the vintage superhero toys favored by today’s collectors, few have enjoyed a winning streak in the secondary marketplace to rival that of Batman. The Caped Crusader packed a punch yet again on October 5th when a 1966 Bandai (Japan) battery-operated tin Batmobile glided across the auction block. In excellent condition and in working order, the 11-inch convertible with figures of Batman at the wheel and Robin in the passenger seat ended its run at $8,917, nearly four times its high estimate.  

As predicted, American pressed steel made a strong showing at the auction. An elusive Buddy ‘L’ pressed-steel Tugboat, all original with vibrant red paint and intact decals, was a non-motorized version believed to have been intentionally produced that way at the fabled Buddy ‘L’ factory in East Moline, Illinois. A sizable 28 inches long and with provenance from the Fred Castan collection, it sold just shy of its high estimate at $19,680.

Oozing luxury, a rare American National Packard Roadster pedal car presented in all-original condition with rich cardinal-red paint. Milestone’s auction catalog described it as the only known example with electric headlights, leading to speculation that it might have been produced to show at the famed New York Toy Fair, where exhibitors since 1903 have typically brought their highest-quality, most-advanced examples. The Packard Roadster had a replaced battery holder but, for completeness, came with the original part, as well as a dry cell battery. A high bid in the range of $10,000-$15,000 had been anticipated, but the spiffy little convertible went the extra mile, reaching $16,605.

Another pressed-steel rarity, an all-original 27-inch-long Gendron Sampson stake truck displayed beautiful orange-and-black paint and its desirable factory decals. Miles King remarked that it was the only original example of that particular model that his team had ever seen. It rumbled past its pre-sale high estimate to settle at $10,500. Also noteworthy, a 12-inch Tonka #750 pressed-steel Carnation Milk truck whose condition compared to new-old stock sold for $3,813, more than six times its high estimate.

European tin toys were led by an extremely rare Distler tin windup Directional Policeman Car. This zany-looking vehicle has a bug-eyed driver and, on the front of the vehicle, a figural policeman figure who points his arms in the direction in which the car is turning. In excellent condition, the vehicle boasts bright colors and profuse lithography overall with a medley of graphics that includes motorcycles, automobiles, people, dogs, a double-decker bus, gas pump, buildings, street lights and more. A museum-quality toy and the only one of its type that Milestone’s team has ever encountered, it sped past its $10,000-$15,000 to apply the brakes at $18,000.

To discuss consigning antique or vintage toys to a future Milestone auction, whether a collection or a single item, please call Miles King at 440-527-8060 or email [email protected]. All enquiries are kept strictly confidential and there is never an obligation to consign. Visit Milestone online at www.milestoneauctions.com.