M.V. or V.M.

A single signed drawing survives from this unsigned hand: a book-plate design meant for Bernard Hughes. The ink lines are clean and purposeful, the kind of work that would have been sent through the post in an envelope rather than hung on a wall. It’s the only thing we can point to and say, “This is theirs.” Next, look for any other small paper works from the same period—note the sharp nib and the way the letters sit inside neat borders.