Bestoys Doll's Wardrobe - 1957-1966
Doll's Wardrobe from Bestoys c1957 catalogue
Long before Mattel introduced us to Barbie and Pedigree brought us Sindy, Bestoys was catering to the fashion requirements of the well-dressed 21" doll by offering a wardrobe in which to hang her (or his) fineries.
Simple in style and supplied almost fully assembled, the timber and Masonite clothes closet featured sliding doors and decorated with stencilled 'darts', no doubt a reference to the rocket that had recently sent Sputnik into orbit.
It was available in three unspecified colours.
This style remained unchanged until it was discontinued in 1966 to make way for the astoundingly popular 12" Barbie and Sindy dolls for whom Bestoys created its "Contessa" and "Vanity" Wardrobes.
Simple in style and supplied almost fully assembled, the timber and Masonite clothes closet featured sliding doors and decorated with stencilled 'darts', no doubt a reference to the rocket that had recently sent Sputnik into orbit.
It was available in three unspecified colours.
This style remained unchanged until it was discontinued in 1966 to make way for the astoundingly popular 12" Barbie and Sindy dolls for whom Bestoys created its "Contessa" and "Vanity" Wardrobes.
Queen Mary Bedroom Suite - 1967
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Leading again by using the latest in new materials, Bestoys offered this scaled-down version of a vintage bedroom suite to accommodate the necessities of the doll's boudoir in the latest woodgrain colours.
Comprising a wardrobe, the body of which was made of ⅜" painted particle board with hinged ¼" hardboard Corinite doors separated by a gold-painted panel of harlequin pattern pressed hardboard. The matching dressing table was similarly decorated and featured a swivel mirror and 2 drawers. The bed ends were made of ¼" Corinite hardboard with a gold-painted harlequin hardboard base. Each item was available separately or as a complete suite. |
"Queen Mary" Bedroom Suite from Bestoys 1967 catalogue
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Found on Facebook Marketplace
Missing the bed, this Queen Mary suite of bedroom furniture for a 20" doll comprises a dressing table and wardrobe and was offered for sale on Facebook Marketplace in March 2024. Given the age - almost 60 years - these pieces are in good condition...
The insertion on Facebook Marketplace
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The accompanying text giving details of size
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These photos show more detail of the finish of the Queen Mary wardrobe and dresser. The superstructure is painted white, the harlequin-pattern trim is painted gold and the doors and drawer facings are elm woodgrain pattern. Bestoys labels were applied to the inside door of the wardrobe and the back of the swivel mirror support. Other than some minor damage, the suite is still serviceable.
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Another Queen Mary wardrobe was listed on Facebook Marketplace shortly afterward in May 2024. This example has American walnut woodgrain-coloured doors and is in near-perfect condition, missing only one of its doorknobs. As the example above, the Bestoys logo was attached to the inside of the door.
With thanks to the seller and Marketplace and no infringement of copyright intended:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/948312957012407/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A02fea810-84f2-4c91-9244-7fb37588e31d
With thanks to the seller and Marketplace and no infringement of copyright intended:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/948312957012407/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A02fea810-84f2-4c91-9244-7fb37588e31d
Bestoys Queen Mary Wardrobe from 1967 and offered on Facebook Marketplace in May 2024
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The same offering was made in June 2024 on eBay for the same amount:
Bestoys Queen Mary Wardrobe from 1967 and offered on eBay in June 2024
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Description of the Bestoys Queen Mary Wardrobe from 1967 and offered on eBay in June 2024
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"Annette" Bedroom Suite - 1968-1969
"Annette" Bedroom Suite from Bestoys 1968 catalogue
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Replacing the "Queen Mary" 3-piece Bedroom Suite with a sleek and modernised version, The "Annette" offered the same functionality but with streamlined manufacturing processes.
The bodies of both the wardrobe and dressing table were no longer made of painted particle board but of a contrasting woodgrain colour made of ⅜" Corinite, and the doors were sliding rather than hinged. The swivel mirror, too, on the dressings table was changed to fixed. However, with the surging popularity of the 12" dolls - with more and more copy-cat dolls being introduced, mainly from Hong Kong - these larger units were discontinued by 1970 leaving production time available for the "Contessa" and "Vanity" Wardrobes. 
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