MECHANIZED ROBOT/MOON ROBBIE
Maker: Nomura
JAPAN circa 1956
Nomura's Mechanized Robot is an icon,a masterpiece...
Robby the Robot from "Forbidden Planet" was released a few months before the 1956 MGM classic film for the obvious marketing reasons.He was produced in two colors,black/silver and surely Nomura were shocked when the film appeared with a black version of Robby!
Nomura's release was the first and most accurate period rendition of the movie robot.
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Nomura's Mechanized
Robot is battery operated,features a circle-walking action,spinning antennas,and
it's head pistons furiously pump up and down!(as in the movie)...
Though scores of Robby imitators emerged in the market over the years,none managed to capture the style and elegance of the Nomura classic!..
See below the BILLIKEN chrome Robby reproduction(1999).
And below the OSAKA TIN TOY INSTITUTE(OTTI) reproduction back in 1991.
Replacement domes are available at around $125,replacement rubber hands will cost you around $50 for the pair and replacement rubber band for the mechanism will set you back for another $40...(check www.classictintoys.com).
Mechanical Moon Robot
The official name of the "Moon Robbie" is Mechanical Moon Robot.
The pink tinted dome has three whirling helix bands in front of a small mirror. The effect is great. The "layered" arms if you look closely were later used for Diamond Planets ears.
Height-30 cm
BLACK ROBBY MIOB $2.700
SILVER ROBBY MIOB $11.400
MOON ROBOT VARIATION MIOB $3.600
(Griffiths auction 9-12-00)