A RARE toy robot that had been sitting untouched for 50 years was on its way to a charity shop before the owner took a second look.
Lee Garrett, from Edinburgh, discovered the abandoned item in her loft and thought it might be worth a few quid – but she ended up bagging herself a whopping £8,400.
The family had put the Radicon robot in their throw-away pile while having a clear out, but Lee had a gut instinct she should have it valued.
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 of 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.”
It turned out this antique was produced in 1957 by Japanese toymaker Masudaya.
What makes this item special is that it was part of the Gang Of Five robots – these were only available by special purchase in the late 1950s.
Lee’s robot was the first in the set to be produced, giving it a much higher value.
It appeared in the McTear’s Antiques & Interiors auction in Glasgow today and was expected to attract bids of up to a whopping £10,000.
James Spiridion, a McTear’s specialist, previously said that first edition toys “are becoming more and more collectable” and that they were expecting a “lot of interest from collectors”.
In the end it was sold for an eye-watering £8,400, which includes a 24 per cent buyers premium.
“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”, added Lee.
“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.”
This comes as hundreds of families across the nation are beginning to uncover hidden treasures within their own home.
In fact, experts believe the average UK attic hides valuables totalling a staggering £1,922, and around £33billion worth of “junk” lurks in our cupboards and drawers.
One forgotten treasure sat in plain sight collecting dust for 89 years before being discovered – and it could be worth £60,000.
The small jade box was bought by a Dorset farmhouse seller’s grandmother for just £8 as a present for her husband in 1934.
But the Chinese antique, thought to date from the 1800s, is now estimated to sell for 750 times its original price.
In Hertfordshire, an eagle-eyed man bought a dirty painting for just £12 – but it was worth a whopping £5,000.
To his amazement, it was dated back to 1982 and had been signed by Royal Academy artist John Hoyland.
In Derbyshire, a treasure had been sitting for 50 years before being found.
The owner uncovered the Chinese teapot in his attic, unaware of its value, after his grandfather brought it back from Japan in the 1940s.
Believing it to be old junk, the grandson put the antique in a carrier bag and almost handed it into a charity shop but it turned out to be worth £390,000.
Experts believe the average UK attic hides valuables totalling a staggering £1,922, and around £33billion worth of “junk” lurks in our cupboards and drawers
Antiques expert Charlie Ross, who regularly appears on Bargain Hunt and Flog It!, has listed several items to look out for in your home.
’90s vinyl
“Records made from about 1992 to 1999 are especially valuable as not a lot was made at that time. Vinyl from bands like Mansun might sell for £80 or Kula Shaker, £65,” said the expert.
Star Wars
“What really sells well is carded figures, One auction recently sold a rare character called Yak Face, from Return Of The Jedi, for over £1,500,” said Charlie
Fountain Pens
The Bargain Hunt presenter said: “A rare Namiki fountain pen once sold for £6,000 at auction, while auction house Dreweatts sold a limited-edition Montblanc for an incredible £14,000.”
Old mobiles
“Even if they are not worth a huge amount now, there is no doubt that they will become valuable, so they are worth keeping. The first one of any particular series might also be worth something in years to come”. said Charlie.
Autographs
“If you have a collection of all the Beatles’ autographs, you are sitting on a fortune!” Charlie added.
“I recently met a chap who had a book full of cricketers’ autographs – even that was worth £100.”
Comics
“A Batman Adventures Comic from 1993 could make you around £800. Comics are valuable as they are typically limited edition and quite rare,” explained the expert.
For more information on hidden valuable items, read here.
