Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Katie Williams

Edinburgh woman left speechless as she finds out forgotten toy is worth £10,000

An Edinburgh woman was left speechless after she rediscovered an forgotten toy that could fetch her thousands.

Edinburgh resident, Lee Garrett, got the shock of her life when the toy robot her family planned to give away turned out to be a 1950’s Japanese icon, valued at thousands of pounds.

The rare 1957 Radicon robot, which Lee and her siblings had played with as children over 50 years ago, is now set to headline McTear’s Antiques and Interiors auction on April 7, with experts estimating the collector’s item could sell for up £10,000.

READ MORE - Couple find sinister hidden room 'with iron bed' behind walls of their new home

Lee said: “When we were clearing my mum’s house prior to her move to Edinburgh, we piled up a load of toys and other bits and pieces to give to the charity shop.

“The robot had been in the loft for decades and it was only when my brother said he had seen a similar toy online that we decided to take it out the charity box and look into it a bit more.

“We were hoping the robot may be worth a few pounds but when we heard what it was and the valuation, we couldn’t believe our ears. We asked Mum what she wanted to do with it and she said that it should be sold and the proceeds split between her five children.

"I would like to think that the lucky new owner may get as much fun playing with the robot as we did when we were kids, although I have a feeling it may be kept well out of reach of sticky fingers.”

The robot will be going under the hammer (McTear’s Antiques & Interiors Auction)

McTear’s specialist, James Spiridion, added: “Simply put the Masudaya Radicon is the grandfather of tin plate robots and space toys generally. Very few of these fascinating toys have ever come to auction and to find one complete with box and controller is a rare find indeed.

"First edition toys, particularly groundbreaking pieces like this, are becoming more and more collectable and I am sure there will be a lot of interest from collectors at home and overseas when it goes under the hammer.”

Masudaya Toys is Japan’s oldest toy manufacturer, with the Radicon a member of the ‘Gang of Five’ robots that were only available by special purchase in the late 1950s. The Radicon was the first to be produced circa 1957 giving it a heightened status within the set.

James continued: “The robot retains both its striking controller - complete with two of the original coloured antennae - and most importantly the box, with its fabulous artwork evoking the sense of awe and wonder that sci-fi brought in the 1950s.”

The Radicon robot will go under the hammer in McTear’s Antiques & Interiors Auction on Friday April 7. For further information visit www.mctears.co.uk.

READ NEXT-

Historic former Edinburgh cinema and bingo hall is put up for sale

Quirky Edinburgh home straight out the 1970s hits property market for £725,000

Three new driving laws starting in April, including road tax change and new charges

McFly's Tom Fletcher and Giovanna share Edinburgh snaps as they reunite with family

People are only just realising what WC actually stands for and they are flabbergasted

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.