LUNCHBOX

Not much is known about this piece. However, what is known is that there are not that many out there. This lunchbox is HIGHLY sought after by lunchbox collectors.

Only a handful of these were produced by Aladdin Industries for trade shows. The television series was cancelled before this lunchbox ever saw a mass production run. It is believed that only 5 of these lunchboxes were ever made!

240-Robert Lunchbox
photos below provided by Jim Wheeler
General Foreman, Lunchbox Manufacturing Area
Aladdin Lunchboxes

Lid

Back Lid

Front Side Top

Back Side Bottom

Right Side

Left Side

Jim Wheeler
General Foreman, Lunchbox Manufacturing Area
Aladdin Lunchboxes
(15 year employee)

"I worked for Aladdin as General Foreman of the lunchbox manufacturing area - very interesting job. Due to long lead times for artwork and metal work, the marketing executives would have to make license purchase decisions long before a new [TV] show hit the airwaves. They decided to purchase the lunchbox license for 240-Robert. We only made a few of each new kit for the housewares show in Chicago and 240-Robert was cancelled before the show was held, so only a handful were made," said Jim Wheeler.

"Prior to the Housewares Show where our line would be displayed and marketed, our manufacturing line would make a handful of all the new lunchboxes. Such was the case for 240-Robert. I would guess there were around 4-6 made, but I don't have the slightest idea if any others still exist," said Jim Wheeler.

"However, the show [240-Robert] was cancelled and the lunchbox never hit the market," said Jim Wheeler.

"I purchased this lunchbox in our Company Store shortly thereafter and have owned it ever since," said Jim Wheeler.

240-Robert Lunchbox - Paper Proof
Original Paper Proof Sheet for the 1979 "240 ROBERT" lunchbox made by Aladdin Industries. This single sheet shows the front, back and sideband of the lunchbox. It measures 22" x 33". This is an exact duplicate of the steel proof sheets that were actually used to make the lunchboxes only it's paper. The paper is poster paper - like the kind of poster you would hang on your bedroom wall. The actual lunchbox pictures on the proof are lunchbox size. Colors are bright and unfaded, no rips or tears (one of the corners is bent). This item is a PRINT and not original painted artwork. This is a very rare item.

Lunchbox Paper Proof

Lid (Lunchbox Paper Proof)

Back Lid (Lunchbox Paper Proof)

Right Side (Lunchbox Paper Proof)

Left Side (Lunchbox Paper Proof)

Back Side Bottom (Lunchbox Paper Proof)

Extremely rare 240-Robert Lunchbox Paper Proof ;
sold on eBay in October 2006 for $721.11. Here is the eBay auction results:		Another sold on eBay in June 2008 for $611.01 Here is the eBay auction results:

240-Robert Lunchbox - Original Painted Artwork (Sideband only)
Original painted artwork "sideband" for the 1979 "240 ROBERT" lunchbox made by Aladdin Industries. This single sheet shows the "sideband" only of the lunchbox. It measures 10" x 46". This is an original hand-painted artwork piece that would later be used to make the paper proof sheet (see above). The artwork is done on lightweight illustration board, and then glued to heavy duty illustration board. The artwork is in two pieces, divided in the center. It is dated 11/8/79. It is covered with a piece clear cellophane, then a brown paper protective sheet. The cellophane is brittle, and torn in a few places. The brown protective paper sheet has some tears, and one corner missing. The artwork itself is in perfect condition. The actual "sideband" artwork is larger than lunchbox size. Colors are bright and unfaded, no rips or tears. This item is an original painted artwork. This is a one-of-a-kind extremely rare item.

Lunchbox Original Painted Artwork (Sideband Only)

Click photo to enlarge.