A company of furniture makers, established in 1852. The "Bluebird" became their trademark.
All sewing machines were imported. Bebarfald was the sole agent in Australia for Vickers from England and also supplied machines from National in America and other German manufacturers (possibly including Wertheim). They produced their own sewing machine cabinets from Australian wood and iron bases, with a range of over 90 different styles, more than any other Australian company.
"Bluebird" tea sets and thimbles were used as enticements to purchase sewing machines. Bebarfald's were so confident that their machines were the finest available that they offered £5 to anyone offering a practical improvement that they accepted.
The glass fronted Orvieto cabinet was introduced in the 1920s.
Mona Moncrieffe of the Bebarfald-Bluebird Sewing Machine Department compiled two books for purchasers of Bebarfald machines in the 1920s "The Better Dress-Maker" and "The Magic of Colour Harmony in Dress".
Taken over by Ajax Insurance Ltd on 17th July 1968, it is possible that Woolworths bought them out (?)
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