Theodore Roosevelt and the Mysterious S. J. Wooy

The Mister picked up a fascinating Theodore Roosevelt lithograph yesterday.

This lithograph is signed in pencil, by the artist, “S. J. Wooy.” However, I cannot describe how frustratingly little information there is about the artist. Scratch that, how the are just enough tidbits to drive me crazy.

For example, of the few other pieces of his work I could find online, one was a similar style portrait of, of all people, Benito Mussolini  “For H. P. Fletcher, with appreciation. S. J. Wooy ” dated 1924.

Um, thanks for this picture of a soon-to-be dictator?

But H. P. Fletcher was Henry Prather Fletcher, an American diplomat would serve as the American Ambassador to Italy from 1924- 1929. And- are you ready to come full circle?- Fletcher served as one of Theodore Roosevelt’s Rough Riders.

Coincidence? Who knows. In the meantime, I think we should hang this over our couch, Theodore Roosevelt is the mister’s favorite president. That is, as long as we can find a complimentary picture of my favorite president to round things out. I imagine it will begin to look like a Roosevelt family tree…..

The pencil signature of the mysterious S. J. Wooy.

The paper sticker on the back which reads:

     J. Assenheim & Son

Importers of

Etchings, Engravings, Etc.

Fine Picture Framing

81 New Street         New York