W. & D. Downey
(active 1855-1940), PhotographersArtist associated with 938 portraits
William Downey originally set up the company with his brother Daniel. They opened a portrait studio in South Shields in 1856 and in 1861-2 operated from 111 Northumberland Street, Newcastle, before moving to Eldon Square. In 1872 William moved to London to open a studio on Ebury Street, while his brother continued to look after the Newcastle branch. Among Queen Victoria's favourite photographers, the firm photographed at Balmoral and Frogmore throughout the late 1860s, particularly for the Prince of Wales. Their carte-de-visite portrait of the Princess of Wales with Princess Louise was one of the most popular ever issued, with sales of 300,000. William Downey's son, William Edward Downey, acted as operator for most royal sittings of the Edwardian era.
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of Beaconsfield
by W. & D. Downey, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Searle and Rivington
woodburytype, 1868, published 1881
NPG x663
William Valentine Errington; Gertrude Mary Errington (née Riddell, later Langley)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1869
NPG Ax46953
Gertrude Mary Errington (née Riddell, later Langley)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1869
NPG Ax46961
Benoît Constant Coquelin ('Coquelin aîné'); Sarah Bernhardt
by W. & D. Downey
albumen cabinet card, 1870s-1900s
NPG x19002
Marie Henrietta, Queen of Belgium
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1870s
NPG x7884
Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1877
NPG x1509
William George Armstrong, Baron Armstrong
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1890
NPG Ax38698
Sir Frederick Augustus Abel, 1st Bt
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, circa 1890
NPG x14742
Frederic Leighton, Baron Leighton
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x6155
William George Armstrong, Baron Armstrong
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, circa 1890
NPG x326
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x27410
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x21273
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x12427
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