1955 - R-35 Robot By Linemar/Masudaya

[Joe K.]

Although previously documented to 1955, this William's Wholesale Distributors Toy Catalog (Newark, Ohio) depicts an R-35 Robot with a strange looking battery/control box.

See:

 

http://cgi.msn.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...5919585697&rd=1

 

and this page, specifically:

 

http://images.andale.com/f2/112/122/110347..._SEPT_6_018.jpg

 

Also pictured is a prototype Robert the Robot by Ideal.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

Here's the page. Nice find on the interesting remote variation.

[Guest Brian]

Joe, I was beginning to doubt the early date for the R-35. I just couldn't remember where the information originated. It's great to see the confirmation, and I'm intrigued by the remote control. I just can't extract any more information from the picture.

[Joe K.]

Here's another 1955 catalog image of an R-35 with the same strange remote control box:

http://www.members.aol.com/marshallxx/fair2.jpg

Unfortunately, it too, is lacking in detail.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

Here it is.

[Joe K.]

From an "undated" Western Auto Christmas catalog, here is an R-35 with the more traditional metal battery box/remote controller:

http://members.aol.com/lstjm/e-066e.jpg

That looks like the third version of Robert the Robot, so I would guess this catalog was from 1956 or later.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

The picture.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

A larger, sharper shot of the catalog page from the post above:

http://www223.pair.com/girlymag/1201c8.jpg

Apparently the remote is not the only part of this R-35 that is a prototype. Take a look at the "Z" litho on the robot in the drawing. And the remote looks more like a guitar amp. Neat find!!

[Joe K.]

Here's another, sharper look at this Z X 13 R-35 Robot and odd remote from a 1955 Moore's Catalog (courtesy of jimmiesparks):

The prototype Robert the Robot pictured shows a two-tone remote with crank knob. I can't recall ever seeing that before.

Thanks for the photo, Michael!

[jimmiesparks]

That is weird!!!!

Then there must have been a prototype "Z X-13" R-35 variation floating around to have wound up in all these catalogs. I wonder if anyone still has it??? :rolleyes:

[dratomic]

Or, maybe they all got the same image from the distributor... Or variations on the same image. Sort of a PR thing. It could be a rough idea of what the toy would look like, though, obviously, it underwent some changes along the way.

Just a thought.

I wouldn't mind finding one, though. :)

[Joe K.]

Here's a better quality image of the 1955 William's Wholesale Distributors catalog that started this thread back in 2004:

http://www.whentoyswerefun.com/50920.jpg

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

This looks like a photograph. What a find this prototype would be!

[Joe K.]

It's not only about finding the earliest catalog sighting. It's also about the latest. The two will indicate how long the toy was available.

Here's a rather obscure 1957 Weather-Bird Premium catalog:

http://home.earthlink.net/~larruone/WeatherBrosGiftCat1.jpg

and, this page, specifically:

http://home.earthlink.net/~larruone/WeatherBrosGiftCat5.jpg

Given the number of different robot/box/controller variations for the R-35, it's not too surprising that it was availble from 1955 to 1957.

[Fineas J. Whoopie]

It's not only about finding the earliest catalog sighting. It's also about the latest. The two will indicate how long the toy was available.

Here's a rather obscure 1957 Weather-Bird Premium catalog:

and, this page, specifically:

Given the number of different robot/box/controller variations for the R-35, it's not too surprising that it was availble from 1955 to 1957.