Toulmin & Gale
Toulmin & Gale traced the origins of the business to 1735. By 1845, Joseph Toulmin and John Gale were operating the firm from 85 & 86 Cheapside, London, specialising in dressing cases, writing desks, despatch boxes, travelling bags and other luxury goods.
The firm achieved considerable recognition at the International Exhibition of 1862, where it was awarded a Prize Medal for ‘excellence of material and workmanship’. Advertising from this period promoted Toulmin & Gale’s patent despatch boxes, writing desks, dressing cases, travelling and toilette bags, jewel boxes and presentation cases.
By the early 1860s, Toulmin & Gale were operating a manufactory at 18 Sise Lane, near the Mansion House, together with further retail premises at 7 New Bond Street.
In 1876, Toulmin & Gale became insolvent. George William Betjemann acted as one of the trustees in the liquidation, after which the business continued for a short period under the name Betjemann & Gale Ltd.
By 1878, Toulmin & Gale were once again trading from 10 Cornhill, London, stated as being ‘Late of Cheapside and New Bond Street’.
In 1884, Joseph Toulmin transferred the manufacturing side of the business, together with its patents and designs, to James Hurry of Cornhill. Hurry retained the services of Toulmin’s former manager and continued the manufacture of despatch boxes, writing desks and related goods.
