Collection of Christmas cards designed by Athos Menaboni for Robert W. Woodruff

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.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms


Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
boxfolder
11Envelope
 
12Birds of Ichauway Plantation by Athos Menaboni Vol. I
 
13Birds of Ichauway Plantation by Athos Menaboni Vol. II
 
14Birds of Ichauway Plantation by Athos Menaboni Vol. III

Special Collections Libraries
University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-1641