Business grew rapidly and by the end of 1805 Day and Martin had acquired new premises at 97 High Holborn.
[4] Some versions of the story suggest Charles Day was also initially a hairdresser, but in 1835 the company stated he had only ever been in the blacking business.
It is reported they promoted the product by hiring large numbers of men wearing suits to ask for it in shops around London.
[8][9] Charles Day's will reveals he also fathered three "natural" sons, almost certainly Henry, Alfred and Edmund Price.
His will, with five codicils, one of them invalid made just before his death, was heavily contested for several years, incurring huge legal costs.