Collecting Robots

At a Brocante(sort of middle range antiques dealers) Fair at La Bastille, there were hundreds and hundreds of stalls - but only ONE Robot !
It was REALLY early - squarehead and body and made of lead - owner wouldn't let me take a photo though.
It was $ 800 ! But I think it was 1930's -It had a nice grin though !
Actually I thought the whole fair was really expensive rip-off of the Parisiens ! It cost $ 11 to get in (and was mostly outdoors in tiny marquees)
It's still on until 18th November so if you want that little silvery robot It will probably still be there !

I wandered around several toy stores but the only place I saw any robots was Galleries Lafayette - who had half a dozen of the wowee robots at about 20% above US prices.
Other than that the robot scene appears a bit quietish in Paris.

The best place to look is at Fleamarkets,church jumble sales and charity shops. Many of these now realise that old robots have a value but only a specialist will know what that is.
Car Boot sales are good hunting grounds and I've found several early models by getting there very early.
Figure on paying between 50% to 2/3rds of the asking price.
New collectibles of the future include Robosapiens and Mindstorms by Lego - and any Robot kit as long as its complete, in its original box and in good condition. Buy modern used robots and stick them in the attic for a few years and you will be very very happy with the result.
Monitor auctions of Film memorablilia and look for robots from Metropolis and This Island Earth and similar pre-1960's movies. These may be a little expensive now but should be a great future investment. Similar subjects to collect should be Photos of early robots and film stills of robots.

Buy at AllPosters.com

Framed   Mounted

Lots of pictures and information too !

http://www.theoldrobots.com

Buy at AllPosters.com

Framed   Mounted

First look for mis-spellings and misplaced robots on eBay - that is when someone just puts a robot under a general section in toys or collectible for instance.
Serious collectors monitor the collectible robot section but probably don't have time to moitor the general sections too.
eBay offers a service where they will email you of specific items that you are always looking for - it's under My Ebay.
When you find a robot that might be interesting then check the watch this auction box on that ad and you can look at all of these simultaneously.

Wait till just before the auction ends and then try to snipe the robot (bid in the last few seconds of the auction).
If you bid too early then all you will do is raise the price and make it more expensive for yourself.

Don't forget to look in other aution companies too - eBay is the biggest but by no means the only auction service... and don't forget to look in other countries ebay sites !
Ebay has english speaking sites in United Kingdom,Australia,New Zealand,Ireland,Canada and South Africa with more coming online - these are often great places to buy as you will be paying local collectible prices.The only snag is postage which can be very expensive.
Happy Robot Hunting