Yonezawa’s 1959 Cragstan Astronaut remains a coveted piece among collectors of vintage toys. Sporting a skirted design, it boasts an unusual hand crank wheel on its lower back, a mechanism that sets it in motion with a series of clicking sounds and swinging arms. Two variations exist: one with a youthful face, and another with an older adult visage. 

Cragstan played a pivotal role in bringing Japanese mechanical and battery-operated toys to the American market during the postwar era. Founded by Frank Stanton and Stanley Kaplan, the company imported toys from manufacturers like Daiya, Yoshiya, and Yonezawa, and quickly gained popularity for its innovative and high-quality offerings.