Bestime

Bestime was a British manufacturer of jigsaw puzzles and games that operated during the mid-twentieth century and was dissolved in 1973. Its best-known period was the 1950s and 1960s, when it produced illustrated puzzles connected with the work of children's author Enid Blyton. The company's catalogue included puzzles based on Blyton's characters and fictional worlds, helping translate popular children's literature into physical family entertainment. Bestime's early output dates to 1948, when it made its first four puzzles. One of these was an Amelia Jane jigsaw, described in the available reference material as the first jigsaw in that series. The company subsequently released more than 20 puzzles associated with Amelia Jane. Its licensed and literary approach distinguished it from a generic puzzle maker: the products were built around recognizable characters, stories, and illustrations rather than only landscape, art, or abstract designs. The company also produced a series of Famous Five jigsaws. These were illustrated by Eileen Soper, whose work was closely associated with the Famous Five books. Bestime's Noddy puzzles used artwork by Harmsen van der Beek, the illustrator associated with the original Noddy books. These products connected the visual identity of the puzzles with the illustrations familiar to readers, making them collectible as well as playable children's items. Bestime expanded its Enid Blyton-related range beyond jigsaws. In 1954 it released the first four jigsaws based on The Secret Seven, another major Blyton series. The company also made the Blyton Giant Tiddley Winks Game, showing that its product scope included traditional tabletop games in addition to puzzles. The available sources do not establish the company's exact ownership, headquarters, founder, distribution arrangements, or financial performance. They also do not document a modern successor brand. Bestime was dissolved in 1973 and is therefore a defunct historical games and puzzle manufacturer.

Bestime was a British puzzle and games manufacturer whose documented history is principally associated with the post-war children's entertainment market. The company began making jigsaws by 1948, when it released its first four puzzles. Among these was an Amelia Jane puzzle, and Bestime went on to issue more than 20 Amelia Jane jigsaws. This early catalogue indicates that the company adopted character-based publishing and licensing as a central product strategy. During the 1950s and 1960s, Bestime became particularly associated with puzzles derived from the work of Enid Blyton. Its products converted well-known children's books and characters into hands-on games for home use. The Famous Five jigsaw range used illustrations by Eileen Soper, the artist strongly associated with the book series. Bestime's Noddy jigsaws used artwork by Harmsen van der Beek, whose illustrations were also used for the Noddy books. By retaining the recognizable visual language of the source publications, these puzzles linked reading, collecting, and family play. Bestime's Blyton-related range was not limited to one series. In 1954, the company released the first four jigsaws based on The Secret Seven. It also produced the Blyton Giant Tiddley Winks Game, demonstrating a broader interest in traditional games as well as jigsaw construction. The available historical account does not provide a complete catalogue, sales figures, manufacturing locations, corporate ownership history, or details of the company's distribution network. As a result, Bestime's scale and commercial position within the British toy and games industry cannot be established from the supplied references. The company was dissolved in 1973. No successor, continuing parent company, or present-day operating brand is identified in the available material. Bestime is consequently best understood as a defunct British historical manufacturer whose significance rests on its mid-century illustrated children's puzzles and its connection with major Enid Blyton properties.

• 1973

  Company dissolved

  [1]Bestimeen.wikipedia.org

  Bestime was dissolved, ending its documented corporate existence.

• 1954

  The Secret Seven jigsaws introduced

  [1]Bestimeen.wikipedia.org

  Bestime released the first four jigsaws based on Enid Blyton's The Secret Seven series.

• 1948

  First four jigsaws released

  [1]Bestimeen.wikipedia.org

  Bestime made its first four puzzles, including an Amelia Jane jigsaw described in the reference material as the first puzzle in that series.

• Famous Five and Noddy ranges produced

  [1]Bestimeen.wikipedia.org

  During its best-known 1950s and 1960s period, Bestime produced Famous Five jigsaws illustrated by Eileen Soper and Noddy jigsaws illustrated by Harmsen van der Beek.

A mid-century British maker of children's jigsaws and games positioned around licensed literary characters, familiar story worlds, and illustrations from popular Enid Blyton-related publications.

• Jigsaw puzzles · 1948

  Amelia Jane jigsaws

  A series of more than 20 jigsaw puzzles based on Enid Blyton's Amelia Jane character. Bestime's 1948 output included an Amelia Jane puzzle, establishing one of the company's earliest documented character-based ranges.

• Jigsaw puzzles

  The Famous Five jigsaws

  Illustrated jigsaws based on Enid Blyton's Famous Five stories. The range used artwork by Eileen Soper, whose illustrations were closely associated with the book series and helped give the puzzles a recognizable literary identity.

• Jigsaw puzzles

  Noddy jigsaws

  Children's jigsaws based on Enid Blyton's Noddy stories and using artwork by Harmsen van der Beek, the illustrator associated with the Noddy books.

• Jigsaw puzzles · 1954

  The Secret Seven jigsaws

  A series based on Enid Blyton's The Secret Seven. Bestime released the first four puzzles in this range in 1954.

• Tabletop game

  Blyton Giant Tiddley Winks Game

  A large-format tiddlywinks game associated with Enid Blyton's name, showing that Bestime's catalogue extended beyond jigsaws into traditional family tabletop play.

1. 1Bestimeen.wikipedia.org