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| This page contains portraits by W(illiam) & D(aniel) Downey, one of the most prestigious photography studios in Victorian London. From 1890-1894 the publisher Cassell & Co. issued a five volume collection of Downey portraits titled; "Cabinet Portrait Gallery". These volumes were comprised of portraits of eminent persons in all fields. Royalty, artists, scientists, authors, etc. The photographs were issued as carbon prints, a time consuming photographic process that, because it contains no silver, is not prone to fading. Each photo was mounted seperately to a page with a simple title and the Downey name and studio address printed below, and bound into a volume. Over the years some of these volumes have inevitably been broken up for loose images. The following portraits are such. Though carefully removed, it's obvious along the left or right borders that they were once bound into a book. The only exception is the portrait of Nicholas Romanov. Though the image is the same size as the others, the page size is slightly larger, and was never bound into a book. (Perhaps it was meant to be sold seperately in the Downey retail venue.) The images are all the same size, 5 1/3"h x 3 1/2"w (13.5 x 9 cm), mounted to a page size 9 1/2"h x 7 1/2"w (24 x 19 cm). To regard these photographs as merely Victorian celebrity portraiture would be doing them a disservice. The artistry of the poses, the lighting, the occupational "props" of some of them, and the peerless quality of the finished images argues against that. As far as condition; all photos are in fine, unmarked condition with superb toning, and are as rich and vibrant as the day they were made. However, experience has shown that the actual pages that were used for this series is prone to foxing. Some more than others, but none particularly egregrious. I kindly suggest that you request a scan of the page before purchasing if this might be a concern to you. I'm happy to provide one for any prospective customer. |
 WWD81 |
"The Czarevitch". Nicholas Romanov of Russia. 1868-1918. Here he is a handsome young man, several years before he was to ascend the throne in 1894 as Nicholas II, the last Tsar of Russia. $695.00 |
 WWD82 |
Miss Dod. Charlotte "Lottie" Dod. 1871-1960. Five time Wimbledon ladies singles champion. She remains the youngest champion, having won her first singles title at age 15 in 1887. $225.00 SOLD |
 WWD83 |
Sir Frederick Leighton. 1830-1896. Noted painter and sculptor, associated with the Pre-Raphaelites. $50.00 |
 WWD84 |
Mrs. Alexander. Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander. 1818-1895. Poetess and immensely popular writer of hymns. Penned the famous hymn "All Things Bright And Beautiful". $25.00 |
 WWD85 |
The Maharani of Kuch Behar. Sunity Devi. 1864-1932. Arrived in London with her husband the Maharajah in 1887 to pay her respects to Queen Victoria on the occasion of her jubilee. $100.00 |
 WWD86 |
Lady Juene. Mary Lady Jeune. 1849-1931. Society hostess, friend to Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, etc., and noted for her philanthropy and charitable works. $25.00 |
 WWD87 |
Mr. George Du Maurier. Born George Louis Palmella Busson du Maurier. 1834-1896. French born British author and cartoonist. Creator of the fictional character "Svengali". $25.00 |
 WWD88 |
Grand Duchess Maria Alexandrovna of Russia. 1853-1920. Daughter of Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Became the Duchess of Edinburgh in 1874 upon marrrying Prince Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, second son of Queen Victoria. $50.00 |
 WWD157 |
Albert Edward Prince of Wales, 1841-1910. He ascended the British throne upon the death of his mother Queen Victoria and reigned for 9 years as Edward VII. $75.00 |
 WWD158 |
Alexandra Princess of Wales, 1844-1925. Born Alexandra of Denmark, she married Albert Edward Prince of Wales in 1863, and was the mother of George V. $50.00 |
 ASP91 |
Dame Madge Kendal. 1848-1935. Born Margaret Shafto Robertson. Famous actress and theatrical manager who, along with her husband, brought social respectability to the acting profession by their personal and professional example. $50.00 |
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"Mrs. Fawcett". Dame Millicent Fawcett. 1847-1929. Author, suffragist and early feminist. Considered instrumental in women (over 30 years old) gaining the vote in 1918. $100.00 |
 WWD159 |
William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong. 1810-1900. Inventor, industrialist, and early proponent of renewable energy. $25.00 |
 WWD160 |
Sarah Bernhardt. 1844-1923. "The Divine Sarah", as she became known, was arguably the most famous actress of the 19th century. Here she poses in character as the Empress Theodora in Sardou's "Theodora". $150.00 |
 WWD161 |
Lord Charles Beresford. 1846-1919. British Admiral of the Mediterranean and Channel Fleets and Member of Parliament. $50.00 |
 WWD162 |
Bret Harte. 1836-1902. American novelist and poet. Harte spent more than a third of his life in Europe and is buried in England. $50.00 |
 WWD163 |
Lillie (Lily) Langtry. 1853-1929. Renowned British beauty, mistress to the future Edward VII, actress and celebrity. $75.00 |
 WWD164 |
Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and Avondale. 1864-1892. Eldest son of the future Edward VII, and second in line to the British throne, he died in an influenza pandemic shortly after his 28th birthday. $50.00 SOLD |
 WWD165 |
Anton Rubenstein.1829-1894. Russian pianist, composer, conductor and founder of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. He's ranked amongst the great keyboard virtuosos of the 19th century. $75.00 |
 WWD166 |
Prince George of Wales. 1865-1936. The future King George V, he was born the second son of Edward VII, and ascended the throne upon the death of his father in 1910. $50.00 |
 WWD167 |
Emma Eames. 1865-1952. American lyric soprano. Here she's posed as Juliet from Gounod's "Roméo et Juliette". She made her professional operatic debut in 1889 at the Paris Opera in this role. $25.00 |
 WWD168 |
Oscar Wilde. 1854-1900. Here he is, every inch the respectible Victorian gentleman, husband and father. This famous image was taken while he was establishing his reputation as one of the most popular playwrights of the London stage, just a few years before his trials and imprisonment for "gross indecency". $600.00 |
 WWD169 |
Prince Arthur Duke of Connaught. 1850-1942. Born the seventh child and third son of Victoria and Albert, he served for a time as the Governor General of Canada. $50.00 |
 WWD170 |
Thomas Henry Huxley. 1825-1895. English biologist who earned the sobriquet "Darwin's Bulldog" for his advocacy of Darwin's theory of evolution. $100.00 |
 WWD171 |
Princess Victoria, 1868-1935, and Princess Maud, 1869-1938. Daughters of Edward VII and sisters to George V. Victoria never married, while Maude became Queen of Norway. $50.00 |
 WWD172 |
Michael Davitt. 1846-1906. Irish republican, social campaigner, labor leader and member of Parliament. $75.00 |
 WWD173 |
Princess Helena (1846-1923), Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein by marriage. Born the third daughter and fifth child of Victoria and Albert. $50.00 |
 WWD174 |
Algernon Borthwick. 1830-1908. British journalist and Conservative politician, he was owner of the "Morning Post". $25.00 |
 WWD175 |
Wilson Barrett. 1846-1904. British actor, stage manager and playwright. Here he poses as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet". $25.00 |
 WWD176 |
Princess Louise, Princess Royal and Duchess of Fife. 1867-1931. Born the third child and eldest daughter of Edward VII. Here she poses with her husband, Alexander William Duff, the Earl of Fife. $50.00 |
 WWD178 |
Christopher Teesdale. 1833-1893. Major-General and recipient of the Victoria Cross during the Crimean War. $25.00 |
 WWD179 |
Ada Rehan. 1859-1916. American actress widely admired in Europe. Here she poses as Rosalind in "As You Like it", one of her signature roles. $50.00 |
For information about making a purchase, click on the "Make A Purchase" link at the top of the page.
J . Cosmas Vintage Photography /41 Roslyn Avenue / Providence, RI 02908 / (401) 421-2628 |
This page last updated 02-05-12
