Signed antique photograph in frame. Need help with identifying person and signature

I have this picture of a gentleman which is signed. It's nicely framed and matted which makes me think that it maybe could be a known person? I really have difficulties reading the signature. Any ideas?

Any info/input is welcome

 

The darker writing seems to say GRAY BUCHANAN.

The "upper" light colored writing is perhaps VALENTINE GIBBS.

 

There was a UK photographer named VALENTINE BIBBS. Not much info.

https://www.google.com/search?q="valentine+bibbs"+photographer

 

Best I can do with the lighter writing.....not totally sure what it says, but it might help others.....?alentine Bibbers???.....not a clue on the bottom line...... @anundverkaufen ???? got any ideas???

 

I'd think the line under Valenine Bibbs was his location?

Beautifully done photo!

 

Bibbs' location was : 1 Prince Avenue, Muswell Hill, N 10, London

 

His printing in the painting isn't very legible, but that's what it looks like to me... "Muswell Hil _________d".

 

Gosh, he looks a lot like 'Alf Garnett' to me, a 70s UK sitcom character played by Warren Mitchell

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alf_Garnett

 

There was a Sir Kenneth Gray Buchanan, but I haven't found a photo of him to compare. Gray-Buchanan seems to be a notable name in the UK so perhaps there are several possibilities?

 

I found one really mediocre newspaper photo of sir Kenneth-- wasn't 100% clear, due to condition issues, but I don't think this is him.

 

From Ancestry: Bertram Valentine Bibbs was born in 1880 (Scotland) and died 1966 (Herefordshire). In 1939 he lived in Hornsey, Middlesex (Ward of Muswell Hill) and his occupation on the census is photographer (portrait). He seems to have had a studio in Muswell Hill and from the information I can glean he moved to that area in the 1920s.

Regarding the name, could there be a first initial before the word Gray? Possibly an 'I'?

 

Doesn't look like a military man (as was Kenneth Gray Buchanan.) But, where there's one Gray Buchanan, there must be more.

Debora

 

How very interesting. it's feasible that the electoral rolls at the time might shed some light: it's Haringey Council now.

Let me just throw in that Muswell Hill had then, and still does, a sizeable Jewish population. I'm not convinced that says Grey Buchanan. (It ought to be e, not a, properly. ) I'm not sure what it does say, though. Face it very annoyingly familiar. I'd be looking at local politicians of the time.