Nikola Tesla Posted July 4, 2003 Share Posted July 4, 2003 My wife talked me into visiting Metrolina Expo today (a large flea market north of Charlotte, NC)---I haven't been there for a while because, frankly, the idiotic management has chased off most of the good dealers over the years. Besides that, I have seldom seen a decent robot out there, tin or otherwise.After trudging around the place for a couple of hours, buying a few vintage linens, we stopped by the last building on our way out---and here was a dealer I had not seen before, selling original Victorian cast-iron toys. But what caught my eye was a couple of robots at the other end of his table. Here was a Linemar Smoking Spaceman and Yoshiya's Chief Robot Man, looking good, sitting there side-by-side.Well, I was surprised---got into a discussion with the dealer (sorry, missed his name, but I'll go back out there Saturday or Sunday), and got him to crank those babies up. A few others stopped to watch as these two robots did their thing---the old Linemar even started smoking after a minute or two. I was kind of relieved to see that the pair had not been cleaned up in a long time---Smoking Spaceman looked like he had soot around his seams, like he had just crawled out of a steel mill. Both were fully functional, all lights working, too.So, the dealer wanted $1,350 for the Linemar and $800 for the Yoshiya, no boxes, and I declined. Hey, it was the first day of the flea market---I always wait for the LAST day to make any purchases. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert Posted July 4, 2003 Share Posted July 4, 2003 I am amazed that you could find those at a flea market, Nikola. I have been searching for 2 years now and have never found a vintage robot. I hope the price comes down enought to make it worth your while. :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Palmer Posted July 5, 2003 Share Posted July 5, 2003 Buddy of mine from High Point left a message on the answering machine today about snagging two great old tin robots just by waving $600 cash at a dealer.... on his message it said the place was called "Metro Liner" or something... also that the deal was "smoking" and more on that later... hope they're not the same two robots -- this guy doesn't normally joke around. ;) (But from time to time, I do.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikola Tesla Posted July 5, 2003 Author Share Posted July 5, 2003 Yeah, he was probably talking about Metrolina----if so, your buddy certainly snagged the Smoking Spaceman and Chief Robot Man (unless he was pulling your leg, or unless you're pulling mine). The dealer I spoke to expressed that he was willing to "dicker," so I thought I might try him again on Sunday. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Palmer Posted July 5, 2003 Share Posted July 5, 2003 Nikola, did you have any more luck on the return trip? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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