1968-c1982
The Bobs Set in Australia can be confidently traced back in Australia to 1914. It may go even further back. (See a concise history of the Bobs Set in Australia below.)
However, as far as Bestoys is concerned, the caption with the Bobs Set depicted in Bestoys catalogue of 1969 indicates that Bestoys had produced one before 1957.
However, as far as Bestoys is concerned, the caption with the Bobs Set depicted in Bestoys catalogue of 1969 indicates that Bestoys had produced one before 1957.
The Bestoys Bobs Set, reintroduced in 1969, was made of ⅜" Corinite particle board in a wide variety of woodgrain colours, and was arguably the "most sophisticated available". The faceboard and arms were cut from one piece of Corinite on a router jig using a straight bit. Cutting them from the same piece of material meant that there never any unmatched arms. These were hinged to the faceboard, which had the name and numbers silk-screened onto it. The set was supplied in a carton and came complete with a set of 7 wooden balls and a nylon-tipped wooden cue. The carton was printed with the rules of play.
It changed little over the time it was produced.
It changed little over the time it was produced.
Rules
The rules of play printed on the Bobs Set carton:
A search of available resources reveals several variations of the rules for playing the game known as "Bobs" or "Table Bobs".
These were the Rules printed on the back of Riversdale's Bobs Set faceboard (with sincere thanks to Cheryl - http://blissintheburbs-kayly.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-games-of-bobs.htm)
|
These were the Rules as remembered by a member of the "Woodwork Forums" (With grateful thanks to Geoff - https://www.woodworkforums.com/archive/index.php/t-12039.html)
|
Bestoys Bobs Set Find on eBay
This is a rare find, indeed. It is a complete set and in its original carton - more than 45 years old! Found on eBay 17th March, 2023.
This example is made using Corinite's "Satinwood" woodgrain pattern.
With thanks to eBay and megs.eleven - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/134484238149?hash=item1f4fe29f45:g:7j4AAOSwIuNkAoAK&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwIPOQg21bgB%2BcCx9yikbN1HwwwQVbSmPWiP9D6ctoyJSNLJi7GUeF9nBNLNBQadMWamLTWv6esgVfvBjFWeCoCfHEN0GtQZjsk1LaEfwz%2Bdh%2FlNOOTZ0s0Ej8Q%2Bhbz0PyC6QxgUiZdVpBY4pA%2FB7FvQRfTEJ445lD6aHZ16TSQuzoe1sA1fmqZ2kBjb1JP9NnpM1SDBEBneeQWzWucsDC1DggIoPL%2Fqz4GLlwUQ08TQqEpvak7h06M9xBHFTwMfJkg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5yxoY7eY
With thanks to eBay and megs.eleven - https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/134484238149?hash=item1f4fe29f45:g:7j4AAOSwIuNkAoAK&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwIPOQg21bgB%2BcCx9yikbN1HwwwQVbSmPWiP9D6ctoyJSNLJi7GUeF9nBNLNBQadMWamLTWv6esgVfvBjFWeCoCfHEN0GtQZjsk1LaEfwz%2Bdh%2FlNOOTZ0s0Ej8Q%2Bhbz0PyC6QxgUiZdVpBY4pA%2FB7FvQRfTEJ445lD6aHZ16TSQuzoe1sA1fmqZ2kBjb1JP9NnpM1SDBEBneeQWzWucsDC1DggIoPL%2Fqz4GLlwUQ08TQqEpvak7h06M9xBHFTwMfJkg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5yxoY7eY
A Little Bit of History...
Bestoys, or even Nazzareno Bonaretti, did not invent the Bobs Set. It would have been found in Australian households long before his arrival in 1951.
1890
In the United States, Milton Bradley Company or simply Milton Bradley (MB) was a board game manufacturer established by Milton Bradley (1836-1911) in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1860. In 1920, it absorbed the game production of McLoughlin Brothers, formerly the largest game manufacturer in the United States. It was acquired by Hasbro in 1984 and merged with their subsidiary Parker Brothers in 1998. The brand name continued to be used by Hasbro until 2009. (With thanks to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_Bradley_Company)
In Bradley's 1889-1890 Game and Toy Catalogue (https://archive.org/details/catalogueofgames00milt/mode/2up) there's an interesting game on page 31 the called "The Fascinator" and it's nothing to do with feathers or netting; it's what we would call a "Bobs Set" |
1914
Bobs Sets were widely available to Australians as early as 1914 - possibly earlier - as illustrated by this entry in Anthony Hordern & Sons Limited's catalogue of that year. The description reads, "Bobs, the New Table Game...", which could indicate that it was a recent innovation.
The range of Bobs Sets offered by Anthony Hordern & Sons Ltd had a number of options: with cue and marbles or cue and wooden balls; with lignum vitae balls; balls only, etc.
The catalogue, uploaded by Sydney Living Museums/Historic Houses Trust of NSW can be found here: https://archive.org/details/Hordern15027/page/352/mode/2up |
1914
The game must have already been quite popular by the time this item was offered by Anthony Hordern, as an advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald of 12th October, 1914 begs for a "good Bobs Set". The ad reads:
WANTED, a good BOBS SET, at once, cheap. Reply to Verona, P.O., Enmore. One wonders if the advertiser eventually purchased one from Anthony Hordern... The page can be found here: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1554818 |
1920s
This Bobs Set with an extraordinary number of balls is in the Subiaco (Western Australia) museum. the details read:
Table-top ball game similar to Pool. Constructed of light coloured wood, lightly varnished. Consists of a continuous row of 7 enclosures each having an entry space at the front through which balls are aimed using a cue. Two hinged side arms open forwards toward the players. Each has a row of holes which take match sticks for scoring. The board in front of the row of boxes, which has the seven entry points, is decorated with a poker-work pattern of leaves & stems, and 'BOBS PATENT' centrally placed. The entry points are numbered at random - 8, 5, 6, 3, 9, 2, 7. Accessories: wooden cue, wooden balls of various sizes and colours, brown paper covered box to hold balls. Acknowledgment: https://collectionswa.net.au/items/9972ea1a-8ef6-487f-a888-1fec805d9a22 |
1924
During the next few decades, the game of Bobs must have been very popular with tables and sets provided by various church groups and service organisations providing entertainment.
In July, 1924, the Cairns Post (Queensland) announced that the Young People's Club of St Andrew's Church in Cairns had opened a recreation room with a number of facilities including a bobs set and table. See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/40225374?searchTerm=%22bobs%20set%22 1935
|
1932
Meeting an ever-increasing demand for Bobs Sets, a Perth newspaper, The Sunday Times, in December, 1932, printed directions on how to make one's own Bobs Set, with illustrations.
See https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58692153?searchTerm=%22bobs%20set%22 |
while in Great Britain in the 1930s...
There was a British predecessor as well. Not quite the same as Bobs but using a bridge instead of a 'stable', this game also used a set of wooden balls and cue. It was made by Chad Valley of Britain around the 1930s, and was known as "Skilly".
Back in Australia, Playthings Catalogue of 1956-1957
Walther & Stevenson Pty Ltd of 395 George Street, Sydney, regularly published a toy catalogue called "Playthings". In this 1956-1957 edition, a Bobs Set is listed at a retail price of 44/6 or ₤2/4/6 (two pounds, four shillings and six pence) - a hefty sum back then! The average basic wage for a male factory worker was around 300/- (300 shillings or ₤15.00) per week so, buying a Bobs Set for young Whats-his-name would cost the male worker on the basic wage around 15% of it... something to consider...
|
With thanks to: https://www.flickr.com/photos/39495180@N07/albums/72157627572427309/ where the whole catalogue may be viewed
Other Bobs Set "finds" in Australia...
RIVERSDALE - JUMBO - KANGY
RIVERSDALE BOBS SET
For more information and images go to: http://blissintheburbs-kayly.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-games-of-bobs.html
|
JUMBO BOBS SET
For more information go to: https://www.evansclarke.com.au/detail.aspx?id=120484
|
KANGY BOBS SET
|
More Bobs Set "finds"
KANGY BOBS SET below was found on Facebook Marketplace in October 2023, offered for sale by Pickers Retro Haven of Beaconsfield, Victoria, and is in 'fair' condition supplied with its cue but no balls. Playing rules are pasted on the back of the board.
Website: https://pickersretrohaven.com.au/
Facebook Marketplace listing: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/532545555736281/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0570b1d6-b872-496b-87e0-98bd5558bac7
Website: https://pickersretrohaven.com.au/
Facebook Marketplace listing: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/532545555736281/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0570b1d6-b872-496b-87e0-98bd5558bac7
This JUMBO BOBS SET was found on Gumtree offered for sale by Treasure Chest Art of Western Australia on 2nd February, 2023. It is almost complete, missing only 4 of its original 7 balls. Asking $40 (AU).
Acknowledgement: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/o-connor/collectables/vintage-australian-wooden-bobs-set-jumbo-rare-box-/1307892036
Acknowledgement: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/o-connor/collectables/vintage-australian-wooden-bobs-set-jumbo-rare-box-/1307892036
These were discovered on Monday, 28th February, 2022 on a high shelf in Southern Antiques of Kogarah, New South Wales.
One is by Riversdale and the other by "DW" (unknown maker).
One is by Riversdale and the other by "DW" (unknown maker).
Southern Antiques is a unique, well-established, community based emporium. Our boutique like atmosphere with over 30 dealers welcomes you into a nostalgic and comforting space focussing on a diverse range of furniture, jewellery, collectables, linen, toys, vintage clothes, radios, mid-century glassware and pottery.
Monday - Friday 9am - 4pm Saturday, Sunday 9am - 5pm Contact them - They'd love to hear from you about their products and services or anything vintage Email info@southernantiques.sydney https://southernantiques.sydney/pages/about-us |
This "Classic" Bobs 'stable' was found in a large antiques shop in the small country village of Penrose, NSW, on 18th April, 2021.
https://www.facebook.com/Penrose-Antiques-102416971862232/?ref=page_internal |
Found on eBay in March, 2017, this excellent example of a Jumbo Bobs Set was offered for $69.97 (AU)by a seller in Geelong (Victoria).
Acknowledgement: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/296270493666
Acknowledgement: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/296270493666
From Gumtree, this "Vintage Australian Bobs Board Playing Game" was offered September, 2016. The ad read: Good general used condition, commensurate with the age. Great game for all the family, or a home bar/man cave. Comes with instructions, cue, and balls. No damage other than age related minor wear. Felt in good condition. Perfect for a games room without the space for a billiard table. Dimensions: 152cm long, 78cm wide.
Acknowledgement: https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/west-pymble/other-antiques-art-collectables/vintage-australian-bobs-board-playing-game-games-room-man-cave/112331702 |
VINTAGE RIVERSDALE BOB SET AND HAMMER sold by Yarra Valley Auctions (Victoria) on 11th July, 2021. This is a fine example of the Riversdale Bobs Set but without its cue and balls. The wooden hammer is part of the sale but not part of the set.
Acknowledgement: https://yarravalleyauctions.hibid.com/lot/95189831/vintage-riversdale-bob-set-and-hammer
Acknowledgement: https://yarravalleyauctions.hibid.com/lot/95189831/vintage-riversdale-bob-set-and-hammer
The Australian Sports Museum (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Yarra Park, Gate 3 Brunton Ave, East Melbourne VIC 3002) holds two Bobs Sets. One by an unknown manufacturer and the second by Kangy.
Unknown Manufacturer
Acknowledgement: https://collection.australiansportsmuseum.org.au/objects/602/game-bobs
https://collection.australiansportsmuseum.org.au/objects/595/game-bob
https://collection.australiansportsmuseum.org.au/objects/595/game-bob
Manufactured by Kangy