Illegible words on photo of unknown lady

[mead researcher]

Hi there
I have an old photo we are trying to id as an ancestor.
No one knows who she is.

Someone with keen eyesight has suggested there looks to be some handwritten words beneath the printed words THE NEW PHOTOGRAPHER.

I'm hoping someone with even more keen eyesight may be able to suggest what is or was written there 

Can I ask people not to take time colourising or enhancing - all I am interested in is what may or may not be handwritten on the bottom of the pic.

Thanks in advance.

[Ruskie]

Have you tried putting a piece of tracing or thin paper over the ‘words’ and gently rubbing a very soft lead pencil over it to see if anything emerges? You might have to try it a few times to get the right technique, and obviously use a very light touch with the pencil.

Along the lines of a brass rubbing …..

https://www.ehow.com/how_8393691_do-pencil-rubbing.html

[mead researcher]

Thanks for that suggestion, I'll give it a go. Anything is worth a try 

I couldn't attach a larger file - it is clearer at 450 dpi but too big to upload here.

[rosie99]

Why don't you just crop the area you want us to look at and enlarge it

[mead researcher]

Yes I have them scanned that way - .jpg at 450 dpi is 450 MB
And a darker contrast version .jpg is 350 MB.
I'll upload them separately.
Barbara

[mead researcher]

A bit darker still scanned ,jpg at 450 dpi
B

[Ruskie]

Though the scans are good, some shadowing or shading might enhance the “writing”.

https://www.ehow.co.uk/how_7770858_make-writing-imprint-visible-paper.html

After all your efforts it will probably be an impression from a shopping list and say “3 lbs of apples and a bottle of full cream milk”. 

[Ayashi]

I'm not sure that's anything more than an ink smudge personally, but if anything it could be something simple like "Me" or "Ma (or variations of mother)". I've got a load of photos that say things like "my mother" without knowing who wrote the notes, very helpful!

I like the fact that she seems to have a little smile on her face, despite the fact she was probably standing there for a while.

[mead researcher]

Thanks for replies - I do hope it doesn't turn out to be a shopping list