Lilliput Productions Pty. Ltd.

Dun's Gazette for New South Wales v.84#9 (1 September 1950) reports Lilliput Productions as a newly registered company:

"Lilliput Productions Pty., Limited—Reg. 17/8/50. Cap.: £5,000 in £1 shares. Objects: To carry on the business of publishers, stationers, printers, booksellers, advertising and general agents, etc. Subscribers: William A. V. West, Charles L. Calder and Charles L. Bill (1 share each). Reg. office: Sydney. (Lodged by V. E. Deane, 26 O’Connell-st., Sydney)." (http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-724008889)

Dun's Gazette v.86#10 (7 September 1951) reported, "The capital has been increased from £5,000 to £10,000 by the creation of 5,000 new £1 shares. Reg. 7/8/51." The company's capital was again increased to £15,000, registered 28 April 1954.

Dun's Gazette v.90#18 (30 October 1953) reported "Service Sales Pty. Limited, cnr. Cressy-st. and Emanuel-lane, Rosebery" had changed its name to "Lilliput Sales Pty. Limited--Reg. 6/10/53." Service Sales had been established in 1952 by Noel J. Hill and Dawn E. Hill "to carry on the business of manufacturers, importers and dealers in books, stationery, fancygoods, leather goods, tobacco and tobacconists' supplies, hardware, jewellery, glassware, etc."

There are indications that Lilliput Productions was associated with Ayers and James, Magazine Management and/or Young's Merchandising, companies that have complex interrelationships. One issue of 'Tiny Tots Tales in Pictures' has been reported (possibly incorrectly) as published by Ayers and James. Australian Customs documentation refers to the publisher at Abercrombie Street, Chippendale, where Young's Merchandising Company was also located. Tiny Tots included advertisements for a toy company that also had extended comic-style advertisements in some Young's comics. These advertisements look like they are selling products a division of the publisher's company. The National Library of Australia reports 'I Hate Crime' as published by Lilliput (https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/2507019540), while it is generally reported to be published by Young's (some issues have no printed publisher).

Lilliput's 'Bulldog Brandon Comics' was drawn by Peter Chapman, who at this time was doing work for Ayers and James ('Captain Lester Burton, G-Man' for Famous Yank Comics, 1950-1951) and Magazine Management (The Invisible Avenger, Illustrated Publications, 1950-1952).

In 1959, Lilliput imported four million backdated US comics and entered into a deal with Woolworths to sell them at discount rates (8d, rather than 1/-). Industry rivals (K.G. Murray, Australian Consolidated Press, Gordon & Gotch and the Newsagents Association) complained to the federal government that the arrangement was illegal dumping and unfair competition. The complaint was decided in Lilliput's favour in December 1960. (http://ohdannyboy.blogspot.com.au/2015/01/the-death-of-australian-comic-book.html)

Lilliput Productions also published children's books and colouring books.

In March 1954, Lilliput founder William A.V. West with John J. Kelly established Incorporated Imports Pty. Limited "to carry on the business of buyers, sellers, importers, exporters, manufacturers of and dealers in all kinds of merchandise, etc" (Dun's Gazette v.91#14, 2 April 1954). Lilliput also operated as an importer.

In November 1954, with Royston W. Bradford, West also established Bradford Displays Pty. Limited "to acquire the business carried on under the style of Bradford Displays" (Dun's Gazette v.92#22, 26 November 1954). Bradford Displays published a few comics in the mid 1950s (https://ausreprints.net/publisher/430). It is unknown if Royston W. Bradford is Australian comics artist Royce "Brad" Bradford. This could account for a gap in Bradford's comic work around 1951 to 1955.