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Philip Weiss Auctions: Rare, collectible robots and space toys, April 5-6, 2008

SINGLE-OWNER COLLECTION OF ROBOTS AND SPACE TOYS & ANOTHER FEATURING MECHANICAL BANKS AND COIN-OP MACHINES TO BE SOLD APRIL 6, 2008 BY PHILIP WEISS

(Oceanside, N.Y.) - An incredible single-owner collection of robots and space toys - plus another single-owner group of high-end mechanical banks and coin-op machines - will be sold on the second day of a weekend sale slated for April 5-6 by Philip Weiss Auctions. Anchoring the April 6 offerings will be Part 1 of the B. L. Phil “Phillips” collection of rare, collectible robots and space toys.

“Phil Phillips’ collection has been described by other collectors as the one of the finest accumulations of its kind, both in terms of rarity and condition, to hit the market in years,” said Philip Weiss of Philip Weiss Auctions. “Over 300 lots will be offered, and that’s just Part 1 of the sale. Part 2, which we’ll be offering sometime later on this year, will be highlighted by fine battery-operated toys.”

Anticipated top lots at the April 6 sale include both versions of Mr. Atomic; all three versions of Mister Mercury; Chief Robotman; Rosko Blue Astronaut; Blue Smoking Robot; Robby Space Patrol; Target Robot; several versions of the Busy Car Robot; an original Silver Robbie robot; a Giant Sonic Robot and many more robots and space ships. The majority are still in their original boxes.

Also on April 6, and immediately following the Phillips collection, a second outstanding single-owner collection will cross the block, comprising high-end mechanical banks and coin-operated machines. Expected crowd-pleasers will be Girl Skipping Rope; Calamity Bank; Picture Gallery; Initiating the Second Degree; Boy Scout; Dentist; Magician; and more, many in pristine condition.

Coin-operated machines will include Watling Blue Seal; Parks Red Bird; Rare Kelly Improved (possibly one of only four known); Clawson 1897 Jackpot; and more. The day will also feature a beautiful Cherry Smash Syrup Dispenser; Birchola Syrup Dispenser; a Charlie Chaplin Penny Coin-Op Mutoscope; and more. Also sold will be an original Charles Schulz “Peanuts” Sunday page.

Capping the April 6 session will be two early carousel horses and trade signs from Grover Van Dexter’s “Second Childhood” shop on Bleeker Street in Manhattan. The April 5 session will kick off with a single-owner estate of Disney material, to include vintage animation; toys; a rare “Matador” doll from Ferdinand the Bull; Brenda White Chargers; art from Pinocchio and Snow White; and more.

Also featured on April 5 will be vintage and newer Steiff bears and other animals; and over 500 lots of train memorabilia, including Lionel; Ives; and American Flyer. Also to be sold will be the diecast from the Virginia Hobby Shop; and about 125 tin and porcelain advertising signs from Part 1 of a single-owner collection. These will include oil; gas; cigarette; transportation; farm-related; and more.

Rounding out the April 5 offerings will be Britains and toy soldiers from several estates, as well as a nice collection of wind-up and other toys. The start times for both days, April 5 and 6, will be 10 a.m. Gallery previews will be held beginning Wednesday, April 2 (noon to 5 p.m.), on Thursday and Friday, April 3-4 (noon to 8 p.m.), and on the morning of each day of sale, April 5-6 (8:30 – 10 a.m.).

Philip Weiss Auctions can be reached at (516) 594-0731, or e-mail to auction22@aol.com