Yanoman Rendezvous 78 Space Ship sold at Vectis Auctions

Tinplate spaceships and robots are certainly one of the more colourful areas of collecting – particularly those created by Japanese companies – and Vectis has recently sold one of the most impressive tinplate models we’ve ever seen.

The No. 5548 battery-operated ‘Rendezvous 78 Space Ship’ by Yanoman of Japan is a superb two-part space vehicle in metallic blue with tin printed detail.  The front section separates from the rear, a bit like an ejector pod and there’s also an SR10 Rocket on a launcher with operating handle and docking station switch. Movement is powered by a ‘mystery action’ – common on numerous tinplate toys from the 1950s and ‘60s.

According to the website Vintage Space Toys there are only a handful of these tinplate space toys left and it’s considered one of the rarest by collectors. It was considered a “good plus example” for display and was the first sold by Vectis. Originally estimated at £300-400 the hammer price was out of this world at £1,200.

This wasn’t the only visitor from outer space though and the auction also featured a number of other robots and space toys. Another nice example was a Masudaya (Modern Toys Japan) battery operated ‘Distant Early Warning Radar Station’ made in the 1960s. It came with an antenna and radar scope, along with a Morse Code signal key and was wired for blinking lights. Considered to be in excellent condition with very little use it realised £160.

Meanwhile, a Horikawa (Japan) tinplate clockwork ‘Gear Robot’, also from the 1960s and featuring a clear plastic chest with two revolving gears, sold for an impressive £100.

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