I'm different than Joe because I like only certain toy robots from the past. I don't collect toy robots just for the sake of owning those. Hence, I've sadly lost a few that I owned as a child. I've been able to obtain modern day reproductions by ordering off the Internet and eBay. I was lucky to purchase a mint, battery-operated Robby the Robot for only $80 once. Later ones go for $300 and more. I own two reproductions of a classic, black painted, gear wind-up robot made in Japan. The reproductions contain six, small, equal size rotating gears while the old ones from the 60s have four, different-size gears. I would like to own a traditional one with four gears but on eBay they cost too much and some show their age by rust and chipped paint. I saw a mint one going for $360. Forget it. There's also a classic 60s battery operated Japanese black paint gear robot that I want but on the rare times it shows up on eBay, the owner wants over a thousand dollars for it. No can do. I just hope for modern reproductions. The Golden Grail is the 60s Japanese Robby the Robot in his land speeder, battery-operated and bump-and-go. To save costs and manufacturing complexity, only the torso of Robby is shown but when looking at the whole toy, you think the entire Robby is inside. Whenever these show up on eBay the asking price is $3K and up. The grand mission for Joe would be to find a modern reproduction of a toy robot made in medieval China and Japan. Yes, indeed. In medieval times, some gifted toymaker created a eight-inch tall toy serving girl carrying a tray of cups. It was operated by a series of gears within the torso and ran on wheels hidden in the long skirt. It was shown History Channels episode on ancient marvels.
When my late father was in the U.S. Air Force, there was an occasion where he had to serve several weeks special duty in Japan at a U.S. Air Force base. He returned with two wonderful toys for me and my younger brother. My brother got this Japanese, 12 inch tall walking robot with a rotating torso whose chest opened up to fire two small cannon. I received a battery-operated F-III which had bump-and-go action, would stop and its wings would fold-out. I never told my dad that I preferred the robot because I liked robot toys but I never told him that. My father assumed that because I was really into fighter airplanes that I would want the toy F-III. I recall my brother did not play with his toy robot, hardly at all. Unlike me, my younger brother had no interest in toy robots.
I've been into toy robots since childhood. I prefer the traditional, Japanese tin toy wind-up robots or battery operated toy robots. But I've never come even close to this man's passion. I've seen other toy robot collectors on social media. I even joined one group. His collection is invaluable. I doubt one could even put a price tag on it. Does he allow strangers to visit?
hello john. i would like to purchase one of your ROBOT COMMANDO J.R. toys that you make. how can i contact you about this. please inform me. thanks. curt.
