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.
William Bell Scott; Dante Gabriel Rossetti; John Ruskin
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 29 June 1863
On display in Room 22 on Floor 2 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG x12959
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 29 June 1863
NPG x12958
William Bell Scott; John Ruskin; Dante Gabriel Rossetti
by W. & D. Downey
albumen cabinet card, 29 June 1863
NPG x128797
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1860s
NPG x4311
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x17118
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax7493
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x5957
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x5955
William Bell Scott; Dante Gabriel Rossetti; John Ruskin
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 29 June 1863
NPG Ax38133
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax8682
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x12640
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x11976
Henry John Temple, 3rd Viscount Palmerston
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG Ax46206
by W. & D. Downey
albumen print, circa 1863
NPG Ax7342
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax39794
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax46268
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG Ax8564
Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, 1863
NPG x46619
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, circa 1863
NPG x6187
by W. & D. Downey
albumen carte-de-visite, mid 1860s
NPG Ax46269
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