[robothunter]

Let me say for the record here that I love reproduction robots and space toys. And I'm really excited that collectors of reproductions now have a page of their very own. While 've been know for having collections of all original tin litho robots, I've also had at various times very decent collections of just reproductions. And this included commercial repro's as well as custom one-off's done by John Rigg. And some props as well. And reproductions were a great way for me to fill in the gaps in my vintage collections until I could find certain originals. Even now I have reproductions of just about every Robby Robot ever made. And after having sold most of my original tin Robbys as I moved on to something else, I still have a very impressive Robby & B-9 collection to proudly display.
And without inexpensive reproductions to serve as the basis, I would never have been able to have had built the many, many fantasy variations of my favorite robots that make up such a huge portion of what I now have on display.
So while I was at first upset back in the day when people like Mike's Train House and Osaka Tin Toy Institute first started making fine reproductions, I can now look back and say I'm thrilled that they did. Especially when I think of so many great collector friends I've made, like the amazing Dr. Atomic, who began with reproductions as part of their collecting efforts.
Here's some photos of nothing but commercial reproductions that I've picked up over the years. And if this was all I ever owned, I would still proudly call myself an admirer of vintage tin robots and space toys!



Now if only there would be some more great reproductions coming out soon!! I long to see all the versions of Mr. Mercury done. And all the versions of the great Cragstan's Mr. Robot. And with that pressing you could also turn out Directional Robot. And between these lines, it's a simple matter to make a huge Jupiter Robot! And what about the infamous Gang of Five! Yeah, baby. Let's see those reproductions! OK, I'm sure I must have made someone out there mad. Oopps, my bad!....Sorry...

This post has been edited by robothunter: 16 August 2009 - 07:10 PM

[Roboto]

I love them. The Giants,Apollo evil,thunders and Roskos and more. So many cool Reproduction Robots you have.

[solaar]

I would agree. Especially in the starting phase, as you are mostly drawn to the design, repros are a great substitute for the real thing.
Now it's a pity that most repros aren't really authentic and are deliberately missing detail.
You could argument that this would be an important factor in order of not devaluating the originals. On the other hand planetrobot.com sold some quite authentic repros and they seem not have ruined the market ...

Besides: I didn't know that there was a repro of the blue b/o Planet Robot. Or is it a custom?
(If I do see right, it has the plastic hands and not the metal claws.)

[Morbius]

Welcome Solaar!

The only 'repro' of the blue Planet Robot B/O I know of was custom made by John Rigg of the ROBOTHUT. A few years back one of the dealers here had advertised that it was in the making but has never materialized. I finally gave up waiting for it to get underway and got an original...no, make that 2 a few years ago and yes that fella's ear is back on, fell off in shipping. I still think a repro of this one would be wonderful in its own way with its reflective spinner flashing as he walks.

As for the colour, the two have different hues, very different from any of the repro wind-ups I've seen.

Attached image(s)

• 

This post has been edited by Morbius: 17 August 2009 - 01:15 AM

[solaar]

Thanks for the welcome!

I just was wondering about the two in the left middle, they very different from all I've seen ...

And, yes there is nothing to compare to the original. The finish and spinner operations are great!
(There was one working with box left unsold at USD 300,- by a Greek seller the very first week I started watching e-bay for robots. But I guess, everyone has a story like this to tell. Probably I'm left to waiting for the reproduction, and finally being happy with an original at a fair, normal price, too.)
On the other hand some reproductions add a character of their own. So I'm personally fond of the Galaxy Robot (Chinese Conehead).

[Morbius]

I'm sure those 4, the two Planets and the Space Troopers are all John Rigg customs made exclusively for ROBOTHUNTER.

Attached image(s)

• 

This post has been edited by Morbius: 17 August 2009 - 03:25 AM

[dratomic]

I see nothing wrong with reproductions, and I think they're an excellent way to have some great robots without blowing the bank. However, I'm glad they're not perfect reproductions. Not because they might devalue the toy -- I don't think this really happens (though there's a lot of debate on the subject). Rather, I think that perfect reproductions make it too easy for scammers to steal people's money.

So I'm happy as long as there's some sort of "tell." Leaving off the "Made in Japan" marking is a good one, as is slight differences to some of the details. Anything that can't be tweaked by a scammer, but doesn't ruin the look of the actual toy.

Pat, your collection looks great!

[solaar]

I'm sure those 4, the two Planets and the Space Troopers are all John Rigg customs made exclusively for ROBOTHUNTER.

Thanks for the info!