c. late 1960s
Manufacturer: Bestoys Australia
H 51.5 x W 58 x D 32 cm
Collection: Private Collector
Manufacturer: Bestoys Australia
H 51.5 x W 58 x D 32 cm
Collection: Private Collector
‘Every little girl in the world has different wishes about toys, but the only dream they have in common is a lovely doll’s house. Bestoys have made their desire become a reality – NEW “LAURA” Doll’s House. 1
This house was made locally by Bestoys, a family business located in the Sydney suburb of Botany. The Laura house design was named for Laura, the second daughter of Jim (Managing Director) and Ebe Bonaretti. The Bestoys trademark was registered in 1960, and their last catalogue was c. 1984. 2
Different variations of this house style exist with the first Bestoys dolls house featuring stencilled decoration on the front while the designs from the 1970s had lithographed fronts. Other houses featured artificial flowers across the front verandahs. 3.
A smaller single-story house named 'Grace’ was also available.
This house reflects modifications of play and creativity with its cut in side wall archway, trimmed verandah railing and additional black window frames (texta). Note: the plain edge of the balcony - this was a flat pack assemble - perhaps this piece was attached the wrong way.
1 Bestoys Catalogue, 1969. https://www.dollshousespastandpresent.co.uk/User-Profile/userId/22 (Accessed May 2021)
2 Rebecca Green (Doll House Historian) correspondence April 2021
See also http://rebeccascollections.blogspot.com https://www.dollshousespastandpresent.co.uk/User-Profile/userId/22
3 Rebecca Green (Doll House Historian) correspondence April 2021
