Rare Japanese robot toy found during clear out of Scottish home

The Radicon robot was manufactured by Japanese company Masaduya in 1957 and is thought to be the second known radio controlled toy ever built.

Lee Garrett (below) and her siblings discovered the toy, which they had played with as children, while clearing out their mother’s house before finding out that it was worth thousands of pounds.

“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,” she said.

“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.

Lee Garrett and her siblings discovered the toy while clearing out their mother's home (Image: Lee Garrett)

“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 is scheduled to headline McTear’s Antiques & Interiors auction in Glasgow on April 7, with experts suggesting that it could fetch up to £10,000.

James Spiridion, a specialist at McTear’s, said toys such as the Radicon robot were becoming prized by collectors.

The Radicon robot was first manufactured in Japan in the 1950s (Image: McTear's) 

“Simply put the Masudaya Radicon is the grandfather of tin plate robots and space toys generally,” he said.

“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.

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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 feature in McTear’s Antiques & Interiors Auction on Friday 7th April.

Last month, a Radicon robot gifted by Prince Philip’s uncle Louis Mountbatten to his grandchildren, sold at Sotheby’s for £8190.