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W. & D. Downey

(active 1855-1940), Photographers

Artist 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.

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Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle, by William Edward Downey, for  W. & D. Downey, published by  Verlag von Gustav Liersch & Co - NPG x131270

Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle

by William Edward Downey, for W. & D. Downey, published by Verlag von Gustav Liersch & Co
bromide postcard print, 17 November 1907
NPG x131270

'The Three Kings and Five Queens', by William Edward Downey, for  W. & D. Downey, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x132092

'The Three Kings and Five Queens'

by William Edward Downey, for W. & D. Downey, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, 17 November 1907
NPG x132092

Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle, by Percy Lewis Pocock, for  W. & D. Downey - NPG x1585

Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle

by Percy Lewis Pocock, for W. & D. Downey
vintage print on photographer's card mount, 17 November 1907
NPG x1585

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160547

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160547

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160548

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160548

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160549

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160549

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160550

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160550

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160551

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160551

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160552

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
hand-coloured bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160552

Gabrielle Ray, published by The Philco Publishing Co, by  W. & D. Downey - NPG x160568

Gabrielle Ray

published by The Philco Publishing Co, by W. & D. Downey
bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160568

Gabrielle Ray, by W. & D. Downey, published by  The Philco Publishing Co - NPG x160571

Gabrielle Ray

by W. & D. Downey, published by The Philco Publishing Co
bromide postcard print, circa 1907
NPG x160571

Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle, by Percy Lewis Pocock, for  W. & D. Downey, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x135923

Royal group in the Crimson Drawing-Room at Windsor Castle

by Percy Lewis Pocock, for W. & D. Downey, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
vintage print, 17 November 1907
NPG x135923

'Group of the Royal Family of Europe Now at War. A Family Quarrel', by Percy Lewis Pocock, for  W. & D. Downey, published by  Underwood & Underwood - NPG x200036

'Group of the Royal Family of Europe Now at War. A Family Quarrel'

by Percy Lewis Pocock, for W. & D. Downey, published by Underwood & Underwood
colour halftone postcard print, 17 November 1907
NPG x200036

Edyth Latimer as Elswitha in 'The Christian King', by W. & D. Downey, published by  Rotary Photographic Co Ltd - NPG x19894

Edyth Latimer as Elswitha in 'The Christian King'

by W. & D. Downey, published by Rotary Photographic Co Ltd
bromide postcard print, circa 1908
NPG x19894

Prince John, by W. & D. Downey - NPG x138940

Prince John

by W. & D. Downey
bromide postcard print, 1908
NPG x138940

Queen Alexandra, by W. & D. Downey, published by  Raphael Tuck & Sons - NPG x196868

Queen Alexandra

by W. & D. Downey, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons
bromide postcard print, published circa 1925-1928 (1908)
NPG x196868

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