Request Material
Collection of Christmas cards designed by Athos Menaboni for Robert W. Woodruff
Descriptive Summary | |
| Title: Collection of Christmas cards designed by Athos Menaboni for Robert W. Woodruff | |
| Creator: Woodruff, Robert Winship | |
| Inclusive Dates: 1941-1984 | |
| Language(s): English | |
| Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet 1 document box | |
| Collection Number: ms2645 | |
| Repository: Hargrett Library | |
Collection Description
Historical Note
Athos Rodolfo Giorgio Alessandro Menaboni (1895-1990) was born in Livorno, Italy, the son of a ship's chandler. His maternal grandfather, Alessandro Neri, was one of the leaders of Italy's Garabaldi movement for national liberty. At the age of nine, Menaboni began studying painting and later attended the Academy of Fine Art of Florence. During his early days in Atlanta, Menaboni was living in downtown Atlanta where he met Sara Arnold of Rome, Georgia. They were married and bought a farm in the Atlanta area which the Menabonis' named "Valle Ombrose" ("Shady Valley") after the town, Vall' Ombrosa. From 1941 to 1984, the covers of Woodruff family Christmas cards contained Menaboni bird prints of birds found at the Woodruff's south Georgia plantation, Ichauway. Menaboni's work was published in 1950 in a book entitled Menaboni's Birds. The paintings were by Menaboni with the texts written by his wife, Sara. Athos Menaboni Collection, 1940-1985 -- Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University http://marbl.library.emory.edu/findingaids/content.php?id=menaboni665_10301 (Retrieved May 5, 2009)
Robert Woodruff (1889-1985) was a long time president of the Coca-Cola Company, and unofficial leader afterwards, a civic leader, and philanthropist. He and his wife Nell divided their time at their Ichauway Plantation in southwest Georgia, where Woodruff indulged his lifelong passion for quail hunting, bird dogs, and horses. He continued quietly to advise Atlanta's civic leaders, served on many boards, and was director of General Electric, American Express, and Metropolitan Life. The Woodruffs had no children. For more information see the article Robert Woodruff in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.
Scope and Content
The collection consists of forty four pieces depicting birds of the Ichauway Plantation and the Te Ranch in three volumes. Also included are two photographs of Menaboni, each with his separate signature on a card, as well as miscellaneous clippings.
Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Collection of Christmas cards designed by Athos Menaboni for Robert W. Woodruff, ms2645, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.
General Notes
Related collections held by Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University: Athos Menaboni collection, 1940-1985.