Bestoys Tables and Chairs

In Italy, Nazzareno Bonaretti, with his older brother, Giovanni made furniture on spec and this expertise was used to make smaller-sized tables and chairs for children. The photo on the right was taken on 4th May, 1946, and shows a kitchen set offered for sale at a northern Italian market. The table had a drawer and the chairs had curved (plywood) backs. The seats appear to be hinged and may have offered storage space beneath them.

It was this experience in miniaturised cabinet-making that produced a quality range of wooden – and then metal – table and chair settings for children.

Kitchen table and chair setting offered for sale at a northern Italian market by Nazzareno Bonaretti on 4th May, 1946.

c1959

The first range to be listed in the c1959 catalogue of S. Hoffnung were all make of wood and Masonite or hardboard. That range comprised:

TABLE and CHAIRS (WOODEN)
TABLE and CHAIRS (WOODEN FOLDING)
TABLE and CHAIRS (TUBULAR) and
TABLE and CHAIRS (TUBULAR) with a LAMINEX top

TABLE and CHAIRS (WOODEN) - c1958-1965

Wooden Table and Chairs set from Bestoys catalogue c1959

As the blurb says, this set of table and two chairs was made of 1" solid timber - that is, the frame was 1" dressed radiata pine. The table legs were (approximately) 6" wide, also solid pine, and the chair apron, table frame and table feet were (approximately) 2" wide - all dressed radiata pine. The chair backs and seats, and the table top were most likely Masonite or hardboard.

All parts were undercoated, hand-sanded and finished in a tinted, lead-free semi-gloss lacquer - the framework in pastel pink, blue or cream and the table top, chair backs and seats in either red or blue crackle finish to imitate Laminex. A heart in the middle of the table was decorated with a large wet-application transfer and the Bestoys logo.

This setting was supplied fully assembled, the chairs being carefully packed beneath the table and the whole wrapped in heavy-duty paper and tied with sisal. This was a bulky item to deliver and store.

Blue crackle paint similar to that used on the table top, chair seats and backs

Red crackle paint similar to that used on the table top, chair seats and backs

TABLE and CHAIRS (WOODEN FOLDING) - c1958-1965

Also made of solid pine timber, this table and two chairs setting was offered as a space-saver - both to the ultimate consumer and to the wholesaler and retailer who stocked it.
The colour choice was overall white with either pink or blue trim.
This style remained in production until c1962

Wooden Folding Table and Chairs from Bestoys catalogue c1959

in 1963, the new Bestoys catalogue illustrated a new style of Folding Wooden Table and Chairs - only the table changing.
The new Swedish-style table legs were now fixed and attached in a similar way to the desks. A change was also made to the decoration, employing crackle paint to the table top and chair seats, and a large wet-application transfer and Bestoys logo in the central heart.
The colour choice was pink or blue.
Packed flat in a carton, transportation and storage was easy and economical.

Wooden Folding Table and Chairs from Bestoys catalogues 1963 and 1965

TUBULAR TABLE and CHAIRS - c1958-1985

The TUBULAR TABLE and CHAIRS was a mainstay of the Bestoys range, being made, in one form or another, for as long as Bestoys was owned by Nazzareno Bonaretti. It underwent many superficial changes during its near-30 year history but the basic model remained the same: it was a child's table setting with two matching chairs on a ⅝" tubular steel frame, dipped in black polymer paint. The changes that were made were to the finish of the table top and chair seats and backs, or to the material used to make them.
The sets were packed in a carton with the only assembly required was to attach the table legs to the table top. Eight nickel-plated 8G self-tapping screws were provided and the bottom of the table top was punched to indicate the position of the legs' flanges.

To 1962

Table top: 1" timber frame with Masonite or hardboard panel laminated with PVC plastic*
Chair seats and backs: Masonite of hardboard laminated with PVC plastic*, rivetted to steel frame
Decorations: Wet-application transfers to table top and chair backs
Colour range: Not specified
Options: Laminex table top and upholstered chairs (See below)
*The PVC plastic mentioned may have been Con-Tact® Brand adhesive rolls.

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Table and Chairs (Tubular)] from Bestoys catalogue c1959

1963-1964

Table top: 1" timber frame with hardboard panel
Chair seats and backs: Hardboard, rivetted to steel frame
Decorations: Possible wet-application transfers to the table top; hearts sprayed on chair backs and table top; Bestoys logo on the edge
Colour range: Pastel pink, blue or cream

Tubular Table and (2) Chairs from Bestoys 1963 catalogue

1965

Bestoys Tubular Table and Chairs from 1965 catalogue

No change from the previous year 1964

1966

Major change from painted hardboard and timber to Corinite in line with most of the Bestoys range.

Table top: ¾" Corinite particle board trimmed with plastic edging
Chair seats and backs: ¼" Corinite hardboard to match, backs had 4 rounded corners, rivetted to steel frame
Decorations: None
Colour range: White and a wide range of woodgrain colours from light to dark

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1966 catalogue

1967 to c1972

No changes in the Bestoys catalogues printed from 1966 to c1972 however, changes may have occurred without changing the catalogue pictures or description.

1967

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1967 catalogue

1968

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1968 catalogue

1969

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1969 catalogue

1970

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: B/T023 Bestoys Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1970 catalogue

1973

Minor change from 1966

Table top: Thickness was reduced from ¾" to ⅝" Corinite particle board trimmed with plastic edging
Chair seats and backs: ¼" Corinite hardboard to match, rivetted to steel frame; chair backs reshaped with rounded corners to the top only
Decorations: None
Colour range: White and a wide range of woodgrain colours from light to dark

Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: B/T023 Bestoys Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1973 catalogue

c1978

From 1973 to 1985, no further changes were made to the TUBULAR TABLES and CHAIRS Set.

Tubular Table and Chairs from Bestoys 1978 catalogue

Interesting to note that the catalogue produced c1982 after George Wills & Co Ltd NSW ceased exclusive distributorship does not illustrate any tables and chairs however, the range does appear on Alltoys International price list dated February, 1983.

CHROME TUBULAR TABLE and CHAIRS - c1966-1985

Always wanting to offer that little bit of extra "lusso" (luxury), Jim introduced the chrome-plated Tubular Table and Chairs to not only fill a need but also to offer a scratch-proof alternative to the black polymer paint finish on the steel frames. Added to this was the introduction of Corinite to many of his range, making these items more like child-sized adult furniture.
This range too, changed names during the course of 20-odd years but eventually came to be known as "DE LUXE TUBULAR" TABLE and CHAIRS.

1966 to 1969

Steel frame: Chrome-plated ⅝" tubular steel
Table top: ¾" Corinite particle board trimmed with plastic edging
Chair seats and backs: ¼" Corinite hardboard to match, backs had 4 rounded corners, rivetted to steel frame
Decorations: None
Colour range: White and a wide range of woodgrain colours from light to dark

1966

De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Chrome Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1966 catalogue

1967

De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Chrome Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1967 catalogue

1968

De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Chrome Tubular Table and Chairs] from Bestoys 1968 catalogue

1969

This year the De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs [catalogue title: Bestoys De Luxe Chrome Tubular Table and Chairs] appeared beneath the Tubular Table and Chairs as an alternative - from Bestoys 1969 catalogue

1970-c1972 - GOLD Frame Option

In 1970, Jim injected further luxury into the Bestoys range - GOLD-plating. Not real gold, of course, but a coating of titanium nitride to give it its golden color.
The "gold" frames were offered as an option to all the Bestoys range of nursery furniture with steel frames: tables and chairs, and desks and stools, Toddler Deskette.
This "gold" range was introduced in 1970 but by 1973 the option was no longer seen in the catalogue of that year.

1970-1985

1970

Minor change from 1966-1972

Chair backs: reshaped with rounded corners to the top only.

B/T026 De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs from Bestoys 1970 catalogue

1973-1985

From 1973 to 1985, no further changes were made to the basic DE LUXE TUBULAR TABLES and CHAIRS Set

B/T026 De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs from Bestoys 1973 catalogue

B/T026 De Luxe Tubular Table and Chairs from Bestoys 1978 catalogue

LAMINEX, FORMICA, KITCHENETTE TABLE and CHAIRS
1959-1985

Along with the TUBULAR TABLE and CHAIRS range with hardboard or Corinite chair seats and backs, a version with upholstered seats and backs has been always available from the beginning c1958 to 1985. The table top at times being made of Laminex, Formica or Corinite. The frames, too, were offered in a range of finishes: black polymer coating, chrome-plated or "gold"-plated.
As with all the table and chairs sets, these sets were packed in a carton with the only assembly required was to attach the table legs to the table top. Eight nickel-plated 8G self-tapping screws were provided and the bottom of the table top was punched to indicate the position of the legs' flanges.

1959-1966 - Laminex

to 1965

1963 to 1964

LAMINEX TABLE and 2 CHAIRS
Table top: 1" timber frame with Laminex applied to Masonite or hardboard panel. The edge was trimmed in gold-coloured plastic*
Chair seats and backs: Upholstered in matching vinyl over sponge foam onto a plywood base, screwed to the steel frame.
Frame: Black polymer coated ⅝" tubular steel
Colour range: Red, lemon or blue
*The plastic mentioned may have been Con-Tact® Brand adhesive rolls.

LAMINEX "DE LUXE" TABLE and 2 CHAIRS
Taking the item to optimum luxury for a child, the extras included:
Table top: 1" timber frame with white Galaxy Panelyte applied to Masonite or hardboard panel. The edge was trimmed in gold-coloured plastic*
Chair seats and backs: Upholstered with stitched and fitted vinyl in contracting trim over sponge foam onto 1" solid timber base, screwed to the steel frame.
Frame: Gold-coloured electrostatic baked finish
Colour range: White with highlighting trim.
*The plastic mentioned may have been Con-Tact® Brand adhesive rolls.

White Galaxy Panelyte pattern

Laminex Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1963 catalogue

Laminex "De Luxe" Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1963 catalogue

1966

1966 was the last year that Bestoys used Laminex in its table tops and adding white with gold spangle to the red, lemon and blue options. Also new was the plastic edging to the table top, which would be used right up until 1985. It used Corinite but named the range Formica (very confusing).

Laminex white with gold spangles

Read the history of Laminex here:

Laminex

Laminex Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1966 catalogue

1967-c1972 - Formica...Corinite

Bestoys catalogues of 1967, 1968 and 1969 illustrated these "Formica" Table and 2 Chairs:
The table tops were made of ¾" Corinite particle board trimmed with plastic edging. 1967 saw the corners of the table top rounded, rather than squared, giving better protection to the corners of the table but also faster application of the plastic beading, saving the worker clipping the beading's tongue in order to properly seat the beading at each corner.

"Formica" Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1967 catalogue

"Formica" Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1968 catalogue

1970

While the "Formica" named Table and Chairs (above and the the right) manufactured between 1967 and 1969 were actually made of ¾" Corinite particle board, 1970 saw the introduction of an actual "Formica" laminated table top.
As before with the "Laminex" range, the "Formica" colour options were blue, red or yellow, colours which the Corinite range did not have or offer.

"Formica" Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1970 catalogue

1965-1985 - Kitchenette

Although 'officially' introduced in 1965, the "Kitchenette" Table and 2 Chairs had been in the Bestoys range since the beginning, marketed at various times as "Laminex" and "Formica" Table and 2 Chairs.
Essentially, this setting comprised a hard-plastic laminated table top, two upholstered chairs on a black polymer-coated tubular steel frame.
This latest label, "Kitchenette" remained until 1985.

1965-1966

1967-1970

1965 was the first use of the new Corinite (misspelt in the 1966 catalogue) and, like Formica and Laminex, Corinite had to be glued to a hardboard base for the table top. It was not until 1967 that ¾" Corinite particle board was used.

Between 1967 and c1972, the table top was made of ¾" Corinite particle board and, although not illustrated as such, the corners were rounded rather than squared.

Kitchenette Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1965 catalogue

Kitchenette Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1967 catalogue

1973-1985

The thickness of the Corinite table top was reduced from ¾" to ⅝".

Kitchenette Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1973 catalogue

Kitchenette Table and 2 Chairs from Bestoys 1978 catalogue

DINETTE TABLE and CHAIRS - 1967-1985

Just as the "De Luxe Tubular" was the upmarket version of the "Tubular", the "Dinette" was the De Luxe version of the "Kitchenette": "Corinite" table top and upholstered but on a chrome- or "gold"-plated - steel frame.
The "Dinette" Table and 2 Chairs was produced from 1967 until 1985 with only minor or subtle changes: rounded corners on the table top replacing squared corners and, between 1970 and c1972, with the option of a "gold" frame.

1967-1969

Dinette Table and 2 Chairs from the Bestoys 1967, 1968 and 1969 catalogues - no change in the text or the images

1970

Dinette Table and 2 Chairs from the Bestoys 1970 catalogue - no change to the image but the option of a gold frame added

1973

Dinette Table and 2 Chairs from the Bestoys 1973 catalogue

1978

Dinette Table and 2 Chairs from the Bestoys 1978 catalogue

COMBI TABLE and BLACKBOARD - 1965

Following the success of its Wooden Folding Table and 2 Chairs, Bestoys introduced this 'set for 1' - a single folding chair with a table that featured a lift-up top under which there was a blackboard. This item was not included in the 1966 Bestoys catalogue.