Original albumen Carte-de-Visite (CDV) portrait photograph of Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881), 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, British statesman and author of Jewish ancestry who served twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Produced by the celebrated photographic studio W. & D. Downey, among the leading society and royal photographers of 19th-century Britain. The mount is marked “W. & D. Downey” and “Copyright.” The reverse bears an elaborate W. & D. Downey backmark identifying the firm as “Photographers to Her Majesty, ” together with royal insignia and the studio's Newcastle and London addresses. An old manuscript inscription at the top of the reverse reads “Late Earl of Beaconsfield, ” referring to Disraeli by his peerage title following his death. An attractive original Victorian photographic portrait of one of Britain's most important 19th-century statesmen, produced by a distinguished royal photographic studio.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art