Duane Beckett
No matter your age, you’ve heard of the Space Race. It was an era when America was dreaming big, and it helped change the landscape of toys from cowboys and police cars to rockets and all things sci-fi. Today, these 1960s space race toys can have significant nostalgic value and monetary value to boot.
Major Matt Mason Space Station Playset (Mattel, 1966)
Mattel released a Major Matt Mason Space Station playset in 1966. It was part of a wider astronaut lineup, but it was the pivotal set. It included modular parts, a rotating radar dish, little consoles, and an airlock-style layout. When it came out, it was around $7 and considered a mid-priced, large boxed toy set.
Today, you can find boxed examples for the low hundreds. For instance, Heritage Auctions listed one 2025 sale at $209, and Oberon Auctions reported a complete set in fair, opened condition that sold for around $200 (£161 GBP).
Collectors want complete modules, clean plastic, inserts, decals, and a box that still displays well.
Johnny Astro Space Vehicle Launcher (Topper, mid-1960s)
Google Arts & Culture states that Topper Corporation made Johnny Astro in the mid-1960s. It’s described as a balloon spacecraft toy controlled by a whirling fan, which is wonderfully weird. It was likely a mid-single-digit toy when new, costing roughly $5 when it launched.
Today, it has a cult following because it really did feel different from normal rocket toys. Current market listings show boxed or working examples on eBay at around $150 to $225, with higher asking prices for cleaner sets.
Collectors look for a working fan base, control tower parts, original box art, inserts, and balloons, though reproduction balloons are common.
G.I. Joe Astronaut & Space Capsule (Hasbro, 1966)
Hasbro pushed G.I. Joe into the Space Race with its 1966 Space Capsule and astronaut gear. Vintage3DJoes states that the capsule was released in 1966 and capitalized on America’s race-to-the-moon excitement. Warfare History Network reported that 1960s G.I. Joe accessories often sold from $1 to $5, while the figure itself originally sold for about $4, so a larger astronaut-and-capsule setup would have been a premium purchase.
Current eBay listings show loose or partial capsule sets at around $120 to $195, with boxed figure-and-capsule lots often listed near $350 or more.
Collectors check the clear canopy, decals, straps, suit, helmet, gloves, boots, and original box first when it comes to 1960s space race toys.
1960s Marx Space Playsets (Louis Marx & Co., early-mid 1960s)
Tumbleweird states that Louis Marx & Co. had already been making space playsets before the 1960s, then added NASA-themed sets tied to Cape Canaveral, Cape Kennedy, Project Apollo, and Project Mercury.
Earlier Marx space sets sold for about $5.89 in the 1950s, so many 1960s sets likely sat around the $5 to $10 range, with bigger boxes costing more. Current values vary wildly. Incomplete Cape Kennedy sets can list under $100 on eBay, while boxed Apollo-style sets can climb higher if they’re near complete.
As a collector, I’d treat completeness as everything. This means astronauts, rockets, launch pads, vehicles, paperwork, unused decals, clean plastic, and the original box are a must for 1960s space race toys.
1969 Apollo 11 Snoopy Toy / Moon-Landing Tie-In (U.S., 1969)
The Henry Ford website states that Snoopy appeared as the “World Famous Astronaut” shortly before the real moon landing, and its collection includes a 1969 Snoopy Pocket Doll tied to the Apollo 11 moment. Original retail prices were relatively modest, at $1 to $3, like many small licensed character toys.
CollectPeanuts found that very good to mint boxed examples could be worth about $150 to $250, while worn examples can sit far lower. Collectors of 1960s space race toys want the helmet, scarf, suit, NASA or Apollo connection, clean fabric, and an original box.