Selling at the time of this writing for just over $1700, this 1949 “toy” cost today’s equivalent of $400 and includes “a U-239 Geiger counter, Electroscope, Spinthariscope, Wilson Cloud Chamber, nuclear spheres model, a book on prospecting for uranium, the Gilbert Atomic Energy Manual, and Learn How Dagwood Split the Atom comic book. Nowadays you’re more likely to find a kit about how to prove the Earth is 6,000 years old. Oh, the times they are a-changing.
Seeing this reminds me just how spot-on Fallout 3 got its look and feel. The retro look of this kit is amazing, and the fact that it’s in mint condition — well! Unfortunately I bet it’ll be passed from collector to collector at varying prices, nothing more than a commodity at this point. According to the seller:
THIS SET FLIES OFF THE RARITY SCALE BY GIGANTIC PROPORTIONS !!!!!!!!!!!
Alas, no kid will ever get to crack it open and start checking the cat with the Geiger counter. Maybe that’s a good thing, since the kit comes with RADIOACTIVE ORE SAMPLES.
[via Classic Vintage Toys]