Sunday, November 10, 2013
Japanese 1950's Robots
As I mentioned a few days ago, there were 2 topics that I had not written about. One of these was about Japanese Robots. I did a fast review of my posts, and indeed I wrote something about them. However, a promise is a promise, and I did tell Danny Kubert of Grand Old Toys that I would write a post about his fine robots. Some of these toys always seem to be in high demand, and thus receive final high bids at auction. Of course, one has to know which ones are the rarest, as some don't receive final high prices. Also, it seems that you also have to have the original box to go along with the original toy, and the toy has to be in almost excellent condition. I can say that I did have some non-robot toys (Lionel , Meccano , Minibrix) in this state, but my mother either threw them out or gave them to a charity. I hope someone else kept them for those 55 years!
Personally, Most of these toys appear similar to me both in appearance and in function, but what do I know about these Japanese Robots? Not much! So I'll leave it to for you to decide. Danny has sold robots,and I mentioned in my first post about Grand Old Toys, Danny is very selective when it comes to bids or purchases. He prefers toys in very good to excellent condition. In any business, particularly antique and old toys, you have to know your toys and the business, and Danny knows both very well.
For today, I've added the final price that the 8 robots sold for. I donlt normally do this, but I thought you'd be interested.
Nomura Red Face "Zoomer Robot" in Original Box
Outstanding example of Nomura's iconic blockhead "Zoomer the Robot" complete with original box. As one of the most recognizaOutstanding example of Nomura's iconic blockhead "Zoomer the Robot" complete with original box. As one of the most recognizable of all Japanese tin robot toys. He has clear light bulb eyes which light up and his original red celluloid film underneath the mouth.
Red Zoomer is characterized by a flared rectangular charcoal colored body, a squarish-cube head (with "squeezed-like neck"), black "ear muffs", angled rectangular red legs, and long flat black feet. He has an embossed red pack on its back pierced by a 6½" long movable antenna, chrome plated coiled spring antenna hair, stubby red arms with black claw hands, and carries a black spanner wrench. Under each foot are two in-line rubber rollers; all 4 are original. The battery compartment (spotless) is on the left and stop/go switch is on the right. The underside between the legs is stamped Japan.
Insert a single C-cell battery, switch on, and he starts walking with one leg in front of the other, while his light bulb eyes beam. Awesome just to watch it work. And everything does work great!
The original box has a color paste-down print of blue/gray Zoomer strutting through a destroyed city with each eye emitting a brilliant red ray. He carries a sledge hammer in his right hand and the wrench in the left. The Nomura and Showa trademarks along with "PATENT" were printed along the lower edge. The U.S. importer George Wagner trademark was printed on the upper right corner.
Five variations of the Zoomer Robot were manufactured by Nomura. Alphadrome arbitrarily designated it as variation #5. Typically Nomura's Radar Robot is known for it's red face, charcoal body, and light bulb eyes. The Zoomer version with red face frequently has gel eyes, but as in this example, it's not always the case.
Size: Approx. 7¾" (not including rear antenna).
Sold: Aug. 2013
Price Sold: $ 1152.00 U.S.
Yonezawa
Battery Operated (Directional) Robot in Original Box
Circa 1955
Height: 11" 279mm
Sold: June 2013
Price Sold: $ 1986.00 US
Nomura
Battery Operated Mechanized ("Robby") Robot in Original Box
Circa 1955
Height: 12 1/4" 312mm
Sold: August 2013
Price Sold: $ 9850.00 US
Yoshiya
Friction Powered Atom Robot in Original Box
Height: 6 1/4" 158mm
Circa 1957
Sold: June 2006
Prive Sold: $ 545.00 US
By the way, that is a lady robot dressed in a skirt!
Taiyo
Blink-A-Gear Robot in Original Box
Tinplate and plastic, with battery-operated movement. The robot's eye glow a deep green.
Circa 1958
Height: 15" 381mm
Sold: September 2011
Price Sold: $ 983.00 US
Yoshiya
Chief Robotman in Original Box
Battery operated lithographed tin with plastic.
Plenty of action, buzzing noise,and flashing lights.
Circa: 1959
Height: 12" 305mm
Date Sold: January 2010
Price Sold: $ 644.00 US
Nomura
Spave Robot X-70 (Tulip Head) in Original Box
Battery-operated with lithographed tin and plastic.
Lots of interesting motion, loud "brrring" noises, and light blinking.
Height: 12 1/2" 318mm
Sold: April 2006
Price Sold: $ 3456.00 US
Yonezawa
Mr. Robot in Original Box
Tinplate body with polystyrene plastic from the neck up.
Battery-operated movement on rubber wheels and rubber bands allowing for a
random "Mysterious" direction.
The "brain core" spins rapidly without the clear plastic cone and lights up.
Circa 1960
Height: 11" 279mm
Date Sold: June 2009
Price Sold: $ 1299.00 US
As with my first Grand Old Toys post, I've only added one excellent written description for the first robot. I've briefly added some information for the rest. You can read on the Grand Old Toys website how each toy operates, moves, lights up, and makes noises. I have a feeling that although Danny is making sure that the toys operate at 100%, he's really reliving his early childhood.
I know I would- for sure!
The next time I look for toys at a garage sale, I'll be looking for those robots. You never know when you might find that rarest of them toys!
Thanks for dropping by,
and have a great part of the day or night,
wherever you may be.
Stacey
toysearcher@gmail.com
