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 carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax8568
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax8627
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x241
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s-1870s
NPG x4734
Prince George William Frederick Charles, 2nd Duke of Cambridge
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG x135623
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1860s
NPG Ax39932
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1860
NPG x139849
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1880s (December 1862)
NPG x6424
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, December 1862
NPG x45950
by W. & D. Downey
albumen cabinet card, December 1862
NPG x131297
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, mid-late 1870s? (December 1862)
NPG Ax38169
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1860s
NPG Ax29654
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax29680
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 29 June 1863
NPG Ax14797
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax17735
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax18366
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax18368
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax18240
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax18252
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax11938
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