Enzo Pertoldi's Radicon Robot brings 106% increase on estimate

A Japanese tin litho Radicon Robot saw the highest bids in Morphy Auctions' September 7 sale of the respected Enzo Pertoldi collection in Pennsylvania.

Japanese Radicon Robot toy
The Radicon Robot is legendary among collectors as the second known radio controlled toy and the first robot with a remote control



The collection, which took Pertoldi 35 years to amass, was offered in its entirety, with Dan Morphy, CEO of Morphy Auctions, stating that it had "captured the curiosity of robot fans for decades, even though few collectors ever had the chance to view it in Enzo's home in Italy.

"It contains many examples with provenance from the Davidson, Griffith, Lesser and Paul Lips collections. Everyone knows Enzo's collection is one of the all-time greats," he added.

The battery-operated 1957 Radicon Robot, built by Japan's Masudaya, was expected to sell for $10,000-15,000, but powered to a 106.6% increase on estimate with a $31,000 realisation. It sold in excellent condition, with its original box and instruction pamphlet.

With Japanese robots particularly sought-after, a Naito Shoten wind-up Interplanetary Explorer achieved another 106.6% increase, this time realising $19,000 against a $2,000-3,000 estimate.

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