Other Bestoys Firms in Australia prior to 1957
Percy J Lovelock of Balmain, New South Wales
Researching newspapers, documents and government websites has turned up some surprising information.
In Australia, the name “Bestoys” in connection with toy making appears as far back as 1936, well before Jim Bonaretti's arrival in 1951 but in order to clarify the Bonaretti "Bestoys", here is what this research has uncovered:
Wise’s New South Wales Post Office Directory dated 1st January, 1936 has this entry of “Bestoys” at 145 Beattie Street, Balmain, which appears to be located only a few doors down from Percy J Lovelock’s registered address if, in fact, one is not a typographical error.
9th November, 1936 – Dunn’s Gazette lists a firm registered as “Bestoys” at 175 Beattie Street, Balmain, toy maker, commencing 1st September, 1936, the proprietor being Percy J Lovelock. Reg. 20/10/36.
In Australia, the name “Bestoys” in connection with toy making appears as far back as 1936, well before Jim Bonaretti's arrival in 1951 but in order to clarify the Bonaretti "Bestoys", here is what this research has uncovered:
Wise’s New South Wales Post Office Directory dated 1st January, 1936 has this entry of “Bestoys” at 145 Beattie Street, Balmain, which appears to be located only a few doors down from Percy J Lovelock’s registered address if, in fact, one is not a typographical error.
9th November, 1936 – Dunn’s Gazette lists a firm registered as “Bestoys” at 175 Beattie Street, Balmain, toy maker, commencing 1st September, 1936, the proprietor being Percy J Lovelock. Reg. 20/10/36.
In 1937, Wise’s New South Wales Post Office Directory had Bestoys still at the same 145 Beattie Street address:
In 1938 Wise’s New South Wales Post Office Directory listed Bestoys with a new owner but still at 145 Beattie Street:
There was no further listings in the name of Lovelock in relation to Bestoys found...but the search continues...
Lovelock
The name Lovelock, however, did continue in the toy making industry in Sydney and seemed to be associated with Roy Waddell but the history of their relationship, if indeed it did exist, is vague.
In 1966, K.J. Lovelock Pty Ltd., toy manufacturers of Edward Street, Chippendale, exhibited its range of wooden toys.
In 1966, K.J. Lovelock Pty Ltd., toy manufacturers of Edward Street, Chippendale, exhibited its range of wooden toys.
The range included kiddies' tables and chairs, hobby horses, doll's cradles, doll's houses, kiddies' wheelbarrows, a castle, garages and various pull-along carts and toys.
These were in direct competition with the Bestoys range, undercutting prices.
In 1965, Bestoys had moved from spray-painted stenciled decoration to silk-screening its Rockaway range, Lovelock had not. Following tradition, the interior of the items was sprayed either blue for boys or pink for girls.
Vintage 'finds' of Lovelock Rockaways...
These were in direct competition with the Bestoys range, undercutting prices.
In 1965, Bestoys had moved from spray-painted stenciled decoration to silk-screening its Rockaway range, Lovelock had not. Following tradition, the interior of the items was sprayed either blue for boys or pink for girls.
Vintage 'finds' of Lovelock Rockaways...
... and another Swan Rockaway was offered on Facebook Marketplace in October, 2023, this one with a pink interior.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3564174757184799/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0570b1d6-b872-496b-87e0-98bd5558bac7
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3564174757184799/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A0570b1d6-b872-496b-87e0-98bd5558bac7
Bestoys of Fitzroy, Melbourne, Victoria
There also appears to be another “Bestoys” that made wheeled toys and other metal products. This company was located in Fitzroy, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria and advertised in The Age for workers.
After 1954, there doesn’t appear to be any further ads for Bestoys in Fitzroy, Melbourne, or for labourers with this contact number, JA4904.
This Bestoys was the maker of “steel toys” and most likely the manufacturer of these items advertised in various newspapers and magazines.
This Bestoys was the maker of “steel toys” and most likely the manufacturer of these items advertised in various newspapers and magazines.
Several steel and wheeled products from this Bestoys of Fitzroy have survived to this day and have been offered in various market places.
In 2021 this Bestoys Scooter, most likely produced before 1955, was advertised for just over $200.00 on eBay:
In 2021 this Bestoys Scooter, most likely produced before 1955, was advertised for just over $200.00 on eBay:
Another is this Bestoys Folding Camping Stool offered by How Bazaar of Colac in 2018 for $65.00:
These Bestoys (or "Bestoy") Camping Stools were frequently advertised by W Coogan & Co, the largest furniture store in Tasmania during the early 1950s.
This advertisement for “Bestoy” Steel Camp Chairs and Stools was published in the Thursday, 24th September, 1953 edition of the Examiner, Launceston:
This advertisement for “Bestoy” Steel Camp Chairs and Stools was published in the Thursday, 24th September, 1953 edition of the Examiner, Launceston:
This ad was in the Friday, 4th December, 1953 issue of the Examiner, Launceston:
Other newspaper advertisements indicate that Bestoys of Fitzroy made a range of household steel products as well as wheeled toys and camp chairs. An ad in Border Watch, Mount Gambier, South Australia on Saturday 8th May 1954 - and again on Thursday 6th May 1954 - details a Clothes Basket Carrier: