7ft-tall talking Robby the Robot to make appearance at Grey Flannel's Atlantique City booth A 7ft-tall talking Robby the Robot patterned after the androidal character in the film Forbidden Planet will appear at Atlantique City, booth 2706. The iconic automaton will be auctioned May 14.
News-Antique.com - Mar 17,2008 - WESTHAMPTON BEACH, N.Y. – A close "cousin" of Robby the Robot, talkative star of the MGM's 1956 sci-fi classic Forbidden Planet, will make a special guest appearance March 29-30 at Atlantique City booth 2706. The Robby figure, which will be auctioned on May 14 in an Internet and absentee auction also including a collection of coin-operated arcade machines and oversize novelty figures that greeted visitors to the futuristic 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.
Made of hard composite Fiberglas, Robby stands 7 feet tall. His girth is 42 inches, and his extended arms add another 2 feet to each side. Black with a clear helmet, Robby is a versatile talker whose vocabulary includes the following phrases:
“Can I be of service, sir?”
“My beams are focused on your blasters, gentlemen.”
“This is my morning run of isotope 217.”
“For your convenience, sir, I am monitored to respond to the name Robby.”
“If you do not speak English, I am conversant in 187 languages and dialects and their subtitles.”
Grey Flannel has placed very modest reserves on items in this auction, some of which are antiques, and many of which came from the arcade at San Francisco's famous Playland amusement park (demolished in 1972 to make way for a luxury apartment building). Robby will be sold to the highest bid that makes or exceeds $2,500.
Another iconic, space-theme item in the sale comes with provenance from the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair. It is a 1960s-style silver rocket emblazoned on its side in red with the words: “Seattle or Bust.”
A full-length press release will be published soon, outlining the many incredible and unique items in Grey Flannel's auction.
Anyone will be able to bid on Robby or other auction items via the Internet through Grey Flannel Auctions’ Web site (www.greyflannelauctions.com), by phone 1-631-288-7800, absentee, or by fax 1-631-288-7820. Please register in advance for the sale. Questions? E-mail gfcsports@aol.com or call 1-631-288-7800, ext. 221 and ask for T.J. Favilla.
