Robert G. Johnson's Bio
Robert Johnson is a multi-faceted designer of sculptural pop art pieces, vintage toy collector,dealer and appraiser, and an artist in his own right. Robert is renowned world-wide for his knowledge of vintage toys and is considered by many to be the world's foremost authority on vintage space toys and robots.
Robert's design work places his sculptural pop art in the collections of corporations and private collectors. His pieces are equally at home in corporate lobbies, boardrooms and executive office suites as well as in the individual collector's home gallery. He maintains his own, private gallery and owns and operates the Comet Toys website where he displays vintage toys and showcases his pop art pieces.
Nearly every notable vintage robot collection in the world today holds pieces procured by Robert Johnson. Auction houses such as Christy's and Sotheby's have called requesting Robert's appraisals and market perspectives. Even toy manufacturers have consulted with Robert regarding their forthcoming, limited-edition offerings.
Robert has been interviewed and portrayed countless times on television and in magazines and in 1999, was a contributing expert in the publication of the book, 'Vintage Toys', by Bunte, Hallman, and Mueller. He has traveled worldwide in his search for rare pieces and has viewed first hand, some of the world's greatest collections, offering appraisals and advice. His world-renowned client list includes museums, celebrities and corporate executives.
For Robert, locating and collecting fine space toys is his hobby and designing pop art sculptures is his passion. Never entirely satisfied with one pursuit, he also paints mixed-media pieces on canvas and creates custom-painted pedestals to display his sculptures. In his spare time, Robert enjoys fine German sportscars and travel.
A sampling of Robert's credits to date include:
Television:
HGTV - SPACE PADS - 2004
Japanese TV " Name The Price" June 2004
A&E - Robot Hunter In Japan / Robert G Johnson - 2004
Manufactured In China - The Robert G Johnson Story - 2004
Yin Ming And Robert Johnson At the HaHa Company - 2004
Investing in Collectibles, Right on the Money, Episode 219, 2000
Collectible Treasures, Home and Garden Network, HGTV, Episode 209, 1998
Best Buy Nationwide Holiday Commercial, 1998 and 1999
Robot Exhibit:
Chicago Museum Of Science And Industry Nov 2001-2002
Print/Books:
100 Greatest Baby Boomer Toys, by Mark Rich, Krause Publications, 2000
Vintage Toys, by Bunte, Hallman, and Mueller, Krause Publications,1999
There's a Great Future in Plastics, by Stephen Fenichell, CSA Images, Hironobu Shindo, Amana America,1999
Magazines:
Making Tin Toys for Japan: 5 page story in Lapita: Mens Fashion magazine in Japan June 2005
Hobby Japan Magazine : New robot line up from papa-san and Robert G. Johnson April 2005
Toy Shop Golded Age Manufacturing February 2005
World Photo Press Japan: New Owner of PaPa-San Toys Company January 2005
Collectors Gazette: Robert G Johnson / New Market Toys February 2005
St. Paul/Minneapolis Magazine, "One Boy's Toys" - August 2000
Ebay Magazine article, by Catherine Saunders-Watson, coming....Fall 2000
Vintage Toy Box, by Mark Rich, Toy Shop Magazine, June 18, 1999
Sci-Fi's Top Toys, by Mark Rich, Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, June, 1999
Robot and Space Toy Dealer Robert Johnson, Connecting the Dots from East to West, Cover Story by Catherine Saunders-Watson, Antique Toy World Magazine, November, 1999
The Art of Giving, by Anthony Brett Schreck, Mpls St. Paul Magazine, December 1998
Mono Magazine (Japan), August 1998
Some Quick Tips on Vintage Toy Robots, by David Christenson, The Old Times newspaper, 1997
Shop has Unique Collectible Toys from Abroad, by David Christenson, The Old Times newspaper, 1996 |
