Mr Punchs Shop : Robots and Space Toys
| | |  | 1980s Spanish Printed Tinplate Space Bank/Moneybox(Reference #66-15b)
Purchased in Spain in the 1980s, this printed tinplate moneybox was presumably made in that country at that period. Standing 4.5" tall, it is brightly lithographed with images of space rockets, astronauts, stars, a lunar landscape, and a robot. It may possibly feature images from a Spanish sci-fi television series. The bank has a slot in the top and you have to use a knife to retrieve any coins saved. It is in very good condition for its age, only suffering from slight scuffing to the plain tinplate on the top and bottom, and a small dent to the bottom. (WR) US$20.00
Price: £10.00 | |
| 1980s US Water-Propelled Plastic Lunar Rocket(Reference #8-3-04lr)
 Made by Park Plastics of New Jersey in the 1980s, this lunar rocket toy was clearly influenced by the contemporary space race. The toy consists of a rocket (almost 6" long) and water pump. According to the advertising blurb, the rocket soars 100 feet up, uses water as fuel, and works on the jet propulsion principle. The rocket and pump are still attached to the original card, although the cellophane is badly broken and the card is dirty and dog-eared. However, if you have an interest in space race toys, then this could be just the item for you.
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|  | 1950s Tin B/O Universe Space Car(Reference #03-11-3)
This superbly lithographed and imaginatively shaped space toy is one of the best toys to have come out of the Chinese state toy factories in the 1950s. Measuring ten inches in length, this universe car features some truly wonderful lithography of a spaceman floating in space, as well as one of the best - and most integrated - battery covers I have ever encountered. The action is pretty fantastic as well. Insert two batteries, move the on/off switch and away she goes. The car moves gently round in circles, gingerly exploring whatever might be to hand on an alien planet, and backing off as soon as it meets with an obstacle. As it does so, the dome is illuminated by the most dazzling array of red, green and blue lights, and the car emits a warning toc-toc noise. This is a fabulous space toy in fabulous condition. Apart from very minor scuffing, there are absolutely no defects to report. The box is also in very acceptable condition, with just minor creasing, scuffing and a small water stain. This is an unusual, ingenious, amusing and attractive space toy that would enhance any collection of such toys. (J) US$230.00
Price: £115.00 | |
| 1970s Chinese Tinplate B/O Space Jetliner(Reference #4-3-37)
This impressive printed tinplate, futuristic, space jetliner measures 16" long, with plastic jet/rocket engines. The toy is battery-operated, but is currently in non-working condition. If it was working, it would move forward (the front wheel can be set to different positions), possibly with a stop-go action and the engine lights would flash. It may be possible to get the jetliner to work as the battery box is completely clean and corrosion free, but we have been unable to do so. The tinplate itself is sound, but does suffer from some surface scratching and factory retouching, none of which seriously detracts from the toy's overall appearance. This is a magnificently proportioned tin toy by any standards that could happily fit a space toy collection as a somewhat unusual addition. US$40.00
Price: £20.00 |  | |
|  | 1960s Japanese Tin B/O Moon Rocket(Reference #8-12-2)
Made by Modern Toys of Japan in the 1960s, the golden age of production of battery-operated space toys, this is an unusual variation of this particular space vehicle. In played with condition but full working order, this non-fall action lithographed 'moon rocket' space toy measures 9½" long and 6¼" high (to the top of the periscope). When in operation, the vehicle's lights flash (green, red, and yellow) in sequence, whilst it travels erratically round with the spaceman turning on his periscope. The toy is in overall worn condition as it has wear to the edges and some scratches and dry rust in the creases of the moulding. The plastic windscreen also exhibits signs of scratching. Although it is not in mint condition, this toy is still in collectable condition and would make an interesting addition to any collection of space toys. (475 #) US$250.00
Price: £125.00 | |
| 1960s Boxed Tin B/O Television Robot(Reference #00-12-44)
Made by Alps of Japan in the 1960s, this tinplate and battery-operated television robot stands 10.5" tall (without the aerial in his head). He is in full working order. Place the batteries in the plastic oxygen tanks (battery box) and watch him go. He walks forward in a robotic fashion with his arms swinging, the cogs in his neck light up and move round, and the lunar landscape in the television screen in his chest also moves round. Apart from the battery box, the hands, the legs, the front of the head, and the antennae that are all made of plastic, the robot is made entirely of tin. For a robot of this vintage, he is in very good condition. The battery box is completely clean without any hint of corrosion. The only slight defects are a small area of scratching where the battery box clip has been clipped into its hole over the years, and very minor print loss to the bottom edges of both feet. Although the box is complete and intact, it is not in such good condition as the toy itself as the lid suffers from some crushing, creasing, tearing and taping. Overall, though, this robot is a marvellous space toy in very acceptable condition. He would look absolutely marvellous striding through any serious collection of vintage tinplate robots. (1,000 *) US$1000.00
Price: £500.00 |  | |
|  | Post-1977 Styrene Space Shuttle Model(Reference #67-132)
This scale flying model of the space shuttle is still in its original packaging. It dates to post-1977 when 'Enterprise' made the first shuttle test flight, but before 1981 when 'Columbia' made the first mission. You can re-live those moments of excitement by building your own model out of laminated styrene and balsa! This model has authentic markings, scaled from factory prints and a fast, realistic performance. Launched by hand whenever and wherever you wish - you'll never have to come down to earth! Or you could keep it wrapped in its wonderful 70s packaging - either way it's a winner. (WR) US$20.00
Price: £10.00 | |
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