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.
Farrer Herschell, 1st Baron Herschell
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x18428
Sarah Bernhardt as Théodora in Sardou's play 'Théodora'
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, published 1890
NPG x5683
Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale
by W. & D. Downey
carbon cabinet card, circa 1891
NPG x29170
Gathorne Gathorne-Hardy, 1st Earl of Cranbrook
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, after 1891
NPG x7001
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1892
NPG x991
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1893
NPG x17070
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1893
NPG x4921
Sir (Charles) Hubert Hastings Parry, 1st Bt
by W. & D. Downey, published by Cassell & Company, Ltd
carbon print, published 1893
NPG x196264
Sir Arthur Herbert Dyke Acland, 13th Bt
by W. & D. Downey
carbon print, published 1894
NPG x7
King George VI; Prince Edward, Duke of Windsor (King Edward VIII)
by W. & D. Downey
bromide contact print, 1896-1897
NPG x26029
Granville George Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville
by W. & D. Downey
photogravure
NPG Ax28123
by Percy Lewis Pocock, for W. & D. Downey
bromide print
NPG x1578
Prince Arthur, 1st Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
by W. & D. Downey
platinum print
NPG x24432
Sir William Henry Weldon; Sir Albert William Woods
by W. & D. Downey
platinum print
NPG x27543
Charles William de la Poer Beresford, Baron Beresford
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print
NPG x87211
William Hunter Kendal (William Hunter Grimston) (Grimston); Madge Kendal
after a photograph by W. & D. Downey
lithograph, published 1883
NPG D3474
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