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Tin Tom Toy - Inter Planet Space Captain Alert


MetalRobotHead

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Current ebay alert. Just thought I would bring to attention this made in China TTT Tin Tom Toy Inter Planet Space Captain with the Japan markings on the box, robot and key bag. In years to come I suppose this particular item will be accepted as a genuine made in Japan toy, it has all the features of a genuine old 50/60s toy.

The seller jusr makes reference to 'MADE IN JAPAN', already at $78, buyer beware.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ENTER-PLANET-SPACE-C...DefaultDomain_0

post-214-1281812223.jpg

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I just sent a politely worded email to the seller explaining the situation and asking them to update their auction to reflect the reality of the toy. I don't have a lot of confidence, but you never know...

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I just sent a politely worded email to the seller explaining the situation and asking them to update their auction to reflect the reality of the toy. I don't have a lot of confidence, but you never know...

Well apparently this time an honest seller - I found the following had been posted in the Q&A section

Question & Answer Answered On

Q: Hi. I just thought you should know: This is not an original Japanese toy. I know it SAYS Japan on it, but it's part of a run of reproductions that were just a little too accurate. If you notice the symbol above the word Japan, it says "TOM" in stylized letters. This is the symbol for Tin Tom Toys, a manufacturer out of China (or maybe Hong Kong) in the Nineties. He made very nice reproductions, amazingly accurate. Unfortunately, his very earliest runs of toys included the word "Japan" on the toy and box, leading to all sorts of confusion. His intention was that the "TOM" marking would designate that it was a reproduction -- but as you can see, it didn't really prevent confusion. It's very likely that a new collector will be confused by your listing. I'm sure that as a reputable seller, you'd like to be 100% accurate. I hope that you'll update your listing based on this new information so that someone doesn't get inadvertently cheated on the purchase. Cheers. 14-Aug-10

A: HI //THANK YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION//I AM NOT PROFESTIONAL TOY CORRECTER I TRY TO PUT A LOT OF PICTURE TO THE BUYER DETERMINE THEM SELF// ANY HOW I WILL POST YOUR INFORMATION ON MY ADD// THANK YOU,//TOOD14.//

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By the way this is a very nice toy robot. Even if it is a reproduction. I own one of these and have grown very found of it. I think I paid $40 bucks for it, but since TTT is not making these anymore it might go for more. And it says Japan on it, which might impress your friends. :lol: I never thought I would own a valuable robot.

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Isn't it funny (or is it just me) how the word JAPAN makes this so much more desirable, even though we know it's a reproduction...weird :blink:

I'd buy it, at the right price...

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I don't know how Tom was able to justify putting "Japan" anywhere on the robots he produced. They were designed and produced in Shanghai and the only conceivable excuse for the word is that the sales company may have had an address registered in Japan.

I got a batch of the earliest of these from Tom and they were seized by customs. The authorities claimed I was importing illegal medicines. God knows how they confused a box of robots with a consignment of fake Viagra. I'd have made much more out of Viagra and the missus would have been happier.

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  • 5 years later...

Hi MRH.

Ha, there are still a few I haven't got. Hmm, thinking about it I probably just need the radar robot. I must buy one...or 5,or 6. Before you ask, yes, I did used to have one but as usual, I sold it in one of my 'sell the repro's moments'.  Yes, I am the king of bling. I buy all the stuff no one else wants!  A house full of rubbish, as my kids would say!  I know most of it is mass produced now but the TTT are much better quality at the end of the day. Even the boxes, esp on these Space Captains have an old 'vintage' look and feel to them compared to the ones being made now. Plus the little bag with the black key and the logo all adds to it for me. They are already,what,16-17 years old?  Anyway, I like them and that's all that matters. I buy any at the right price.

 

tin tom space captains 2.jpg

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I totally agree about collecting TTT (not so sure about your other collecting habit :scratchhead: ), the Smoking Spaceman is another example of how Tom got the packing right with the internal card inserts, rather than using expanded polystyrene. A nice touch I think. Pity they went out of business and never got the chance of making the ones that were in the pipeline. Diamond Planet, Door Robot, Space Conqueror etc.

 

 

coming soon 12.jpg

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Great Pic MRH, got those 3. Yes, its a pity tom never made some of the others, they would have been fantastic. His Smokers are some of the best for sure.

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