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. |
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
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. |
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 |
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. |
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.
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 1962Table 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. |
1963-1964Table 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 |
1965No change from the previous year 1964
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1966Major 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 |
1967 to c1972No changes in the Bestoys catalogues printed from 1966 to c1972 however, changes may have occurred without changing the catalogue pictures or description.
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1967
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1968
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1969
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1970
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1973Minor 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 |
c1978From 1973 to 1985, no further changes were made to the TUBULAR TABLES and CHAIRS Set.
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.
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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.
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
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1967
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1968
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1969
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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. |
1973-1985
From 1973 to 1985, no further changes were made to the basic DE LUXE TUBULAR TABLES and CHAIRS Set
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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.
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
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1963 to 1964
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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. |
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).
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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. |
1970
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.
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
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1967-1970
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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.
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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.
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1973-1985
The thickness of the Corinite table top was reduced from ¾" to ⅝".
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.
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
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1970
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1973
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1978
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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.