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.
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, circa 1858-1864
NPG P30
Group of fifteen, including Queen Victoria
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 25 May 1868
NPG P22(2)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 25 May 1868
NPG P22(3)
Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany; Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Duchess of Argyll
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(7)
Group of eleven, including the Duchess of Atholl
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(24)
Princess Beatrice of Battenberg
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(8)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(4)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(9)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(5)
Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, Duchess of Argyll
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(6)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1868
NPG P22(25)
by W. & D. Downey
cabinet card, 1889
NPG P2095
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, 1890 or before
NPG P429
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 6 July 1893
NPG P1700(2a)
Nicholas II, Emperor of Russia
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1893
NPG P1700(24b)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, mid 1890s
NPG P1700(24c)
by Percy Lewis Pocock, for W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 16 July 1894
NPG P1700(8a)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, circa 1894
NPG P1700(8c)
Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1895
NPG P1700(14d)
Haakon VII, King of Norway; Queen Alexandra; Maud, Queen of Norway
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, 1896
NPG P1700(24a)
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