Several months ago, I bought a charcoal drawing (or maybe its a lithograph, I have no idea) at an antique mall in St. Louis. I’m hoping you guys may be able to help me track down its provenance or maybe direct me to someone who can. (I know NOTHING about art.)

I have no idea how old it is, who the subject is or where it was taken. Only who it was made for and where they lived.

On the back there is a tag that says “Mrs. E.D. King, 872 N. Prairie Ave. Jacksonville, Illinois.” Written on the back in cursive is the same information but calling the client “Mrs. EDF King,” and a swirl that could be a signature (I read that lithographs are often signed on the back) or maybe even the word “OK.”  The picture is on cardboard and is in really bad shape. It falls apart more every time I touch it. I’d like to frame it if I can do so without losing any of its identifying information on the back.

I bought it because to me it looks like Victoria Woodhull. Before anyone says anything (you know who you are), I know what a long shot that is and I am in no way claiming it is her. But that’s who this woman (whoever she may be) reminds me of, down the white rose at her throat, which was Victoria’s trademark.

Any advice or help or contacts you can provide are much appreciated. Happy sleuthing!

The pictures below are (l to r) a closeup of the front; a little further out shot of the front so you can see how much of the photo I have; the tag on the back (which also shows the swirl/signature; two photos of the other writing on the back (the photo is sideways–the sting is at the top); and a closer look at the swirl/signature (yes, the tag is now broken).

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For reference, here are some photos of Victoria. I picked these because they are ones I hadn’t seen before.