Toulmin & Gale was founded in 1735. By 1845 they were based at 85-86 Cheapside, London and the business was ran by Joseph Toulmin and John Gale Throughout their ownership the company was awarded a prize medal for ‘excellence of material and workmanship’ for their dressing cases at the International Exhibition of 1862. A year later, the company had expanded and opened up a new manufactory at 18 Sise Lane, London and a further shop at 7 New Bond Street, London. They declared bankrupcy in 1876 and George William Betjemann was enlisted as one of the trustees under their liquidation in which the business continued as Betjemann & Gale Ltd for 2 years. In 1878 the name of Toulmin & Gale was trading again with Joseph Toulmin at the helm operating out of 10 Cornhill, London. The business advertised itself as being ‘Late of Cheapside and New Bond Street’. Early 1884 saw Joseph Toulmin deciding to discontinue the retail business and choosing to supervise the manufacture of products for James Hurry’s leather goods department based at 47 Cornhill, London.