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MEIBOHM FINE ARTS, INC. is pleased to be serving the community and art enthusiasts for over a century. A reputation for personalized attention and customer service is an important part of this family business. Residential and commercial clients benefit from our knowledge of the art world, our experience in quality custom framing and from our extensive inventory. We hope we can be of service to you.

Please check back often for our future listings on eBay or put us in your "Favorite Sellers" list. We have thousands of Antique, Vintage, Mid Century & Contemporary Prints, Original Artwork, and Etchings etc, that are in our archives, and most of which have not seen the Light-of-Day in over 75+ years or more. Thank you for looking, happy bidding and good luck!!!

-From Grace Meibohm & the Staff at Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc.

QUALITY CODE: (Note: Older paintings or original artwork of any kind may be rated somewhat differently based on the codes below, due to the normal aging properties of the different mediums used (ex: normal paint cracquelure with older paintings, toning of paper, foxing on older pieces, etc...).

·	Excellent+	Museum Quality, with no damage or visible imperfections.
·	Excellent	Almost perfect given the age w/minimal imperfections,minimal blemishes.
·	VeryGood	Above average w/minor imperfections given the age, or minor blemishes.
·	Good	Average imperfections given the age, or moderate imperfections or wear.
·	Fair	Below average with more imperfections given the age, or with more wear.
·	BelowGrade	With clear imperfections and/or possibly in need of minor restoration.
·	BelowGrade-	With clear imperfections and/or possibly in need of serious restoration.

RARITY CODE:

·	Rare++	Unique, one of a kind, or an original on the open market.
·	Rare+	Very uncommon and/or very difficult to find on the open market.
·	Rare	Uncommon and/or moderately difficult to find on the open market.
·	Popular	Frequently encountered, common and easy to find on the open market.

All Measurements Are In Inches; Height Precedes Width.

Note: All items are sold "AS IS/AS DESCRIBED", to the best of our knowledge, research and ability.

Here is an Absolutely Gorgeous & Extremely Rare Vintage Mid-Century c1940’s-50’s OOP (Long Out-of-Print) ‘Large Format’ Inspirational Chromolithographic Print Depicting the Renowned ‘Version of’ The Madonna & Christ Child Jesus, aptly titled, “Madonnina” (Translates: “Little Mother”; AKA commonly known as the “Madonna of the Streets” or “Modonna della Strada”), after the original 1897 painting by the well-known listed painter, ‘Roberto Ferruzzi’ (Italian, 1854-1934), whose printed signature and date appear lower right in the image corner. The painting won the second Venice Biennale in 1897 and the two models for the painting were Angelina Cian-Bovo (age 11) and her younger brother Giovanni (1 year old). Although not originally painted as a religious picture, this painting became popularized as an image of the Virgin Mary holding her infant son Jesus, and has become the most-renowned of Ferruzzi’s works. You can read the amazing true story behind the family history & identities of the young models depicted in Ferruzzi’s original painting below.

Publisher & Print Info: The publisher copyright, name & location, ‘Copyright by Stehli Frères S.A., Editeurs, Zurich’, appears printed upper middle in the outer margin area just above the image, and their company Trademark logo (Big ‘Z’ in circle with smaller ‘St’ and ‘F’ upper left & lower right respectively), as appears lower left in the image corner respectively. The printing info, ‘Imprimé en Suisse’, appears printed lower left in the bottom outer margin area just beneath the image, the inventory number, artist’s name & title, ‘No. 1676, R. Ferruzzi, Madonnina’, appears lower middle and the English printing info, ‘Printed in Switzerland’, appears lower right respectively. The Chromolitho is printed on a nice heavy-weight ivory-colored wove paper stock.

Size & Condition: The Print size with wide margins is 27-11/16” x 21-3/16”, Image size is 21-5/8” x 17” and is in Excellent-Excellent+ Rare+ condition for its vintage age with absolutely no color fade—gorgeous rich color & tones! This Chromolitho has been tucked away in one of our archive drawers amongst other prints & lithos since it was purchased by the Meibohm family and hasn’t seen the light of day in all this time and is as ‘Mint’ as any collector could hope to find in its original never-framed condition. No tears & no foxing! Ultra-minimal (only a few) very small & very slight crescent-creases scattered here & there in the image area which aren’t even noticeable (except barely from behind) and aren’t worth mentioning. Other extremely minimal & slight small creases scattered here & there in the outer margin areas, as well as a few tiny dog-ear bends in a couple outer margin corners—all of which are completely negligible since the outer margins can easily be trimmed off or matted & framed out. Negligible/no real toning of the stock from age especially amidst the ivory color of the paper stock itself and isn’t worth mentioning. This vintage mid-century print has never been framed which is always more desirable to collectors since it has never been exposed to older non-archival materials, matburn or lightfade.

True Story of the Bovo Family History & Identity of the Models Depicted in Ferruzzi’s “Madonnina” Painting: Although Ferruzzi called the painting “Madonnina,” it is better known today as “Madonna of the Streets.” The location of Ferruzzi’s original painting is unknown. But a startling story about the history of the artwork was uncovered when the daughter of Italian immigrants traced her roots. Mary Bovo, now known as Sister Angela Marie, shared her discovery before suffering a stroke last August (1999). After reading her story, you will understand why her family is on a quest to find Ferruzzi’s original painting.

Angelina and Antonio Bovo left Italy and settled in Oakland, California, in 1906. Mary Bovo was the seventh of their 10 children. The family lived comfortably until 1929, when 42-year-old Antonio was stricken with influenza and died. His bereft widow, unskilled in English, struggled to provide for her large family. But the stress caught up with Angelina: She suffered a devastating nervous breakdown and spent the rest of her life in a mental hospital. The four younger Bovo children, including eight-year-old Mary, were placed in orphanages and foster homes. Although the children were scattered, they managed to keep track of each other and remained devoted to their mother until her death in 1972.

When Mary Bovo was in the fifth grade at a Catholic orphanage, her teacher was Sister Angela. This teacher was much revered by Mary, who recalls, “It was then and there that God called me” to religious life. Years later, Mary Bovo entered the Order of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, a venerable French community founded in 1650. She became Sister Angela Marie, in honor of her mother and her fifth-grade teacher.

Throughout her life, Sister Angela Marie was haunted by questions about her family. Her father’s sudden death followed by her mother’s mental breakdown resulted in a complete cessation of communication with relatives who still lived in Venice, Italy. Were any of them still alive? What could they tell her about her ancestry? With the encouragement of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Sister Angela Marie went to Italy in 1984. She located two of her mother’s sisters, who were then in their 80’s. These relatives had given up hope of ever finding out what became of their beloved sibling who went to the United States after her marriage many years earlier. Imagine their emotions upon meeting one of her offspring. “I resemble my mother,” notes Sister Angela Marie.

Aunt Giulia still lived in the same Venetian house where she grew up with 14 brothers and sisters. The frail aunt had something special to show her niece: It was a likeness of Sister Angela Marie’s mother when she was a young girl. The image was not a faded photo. It was a print of Roberto Ferruzzi’s popular “Madonnina.” Sister Angela Marie was informed that her mother modeled for the painting around the turn of the last century. She had seen prints of the popular portrait many times and assumed it to be just another Madonna rendering. But she had no idea that her mother was the young girl with the beatific face who posed for the artist so long ago in Venice.

The Bovo family was thrilled by this discovery but felt compelled to verify the story. They tracked down Roberto Ferruzzi’s two surviving nephews, who had preserved the artist’s personal notes. Those documents provided indisputable proof that Sister Angela Marie Bovo’s mother was the young girl in “Madonnina.” In addition, the baby in the painting was identified as the girl’s brother Giovanni, who was one year old at the time. Ferruzzi had been in Venice when he noticed the girl with the baby— she was draped against the cold and holding the child close to help them both stay warm. It was obvious that Angelina, then 11, was too young to be the baby’s mother. But she displayed an arresting maternal gentleness that was irresistible to the artist. How Ferruzzi was able to persuade this girl from a good family to pose for him remains a mystery. Was it flattery? Did he offer a significant monetary incentive that this child from a large family couldn’t resist? Angelina couldn’t wait to report the exciting adventure to her mother, who was so shocked that she swore the child to secrecy. It appears that Angelina never broke her word: “Mother never mentioned the painting to us either before or after she became ill,” says Sister Angela Marie. “She kept the secret in her heart.”

Ferruzzi entered the portrait in a prestigious 1897 exhibition in Venice. While he later denied there was any intention of portraying the Blessed Mother, he provocatively titled the work “Madonnina,” or “Little Mother.” But, Catholic art lovers in Italy promptly perceived it to be a fresh and charming depiction of Mary and the Christ Child. That misconception is probably responsible for the painting’s enduring popularity—the image is a dependable seller in stores that sell religious goods. A few other Ferruzzi paintings warranted exhibition in the elite museums of Venice and Turin, winning him contemporaneous acclaim. But today Ferruzzi is all but forgotten, save for his “Madonnina” that became well-known in Italy and the international Catholic world. The heavy influx of Italians passing through Ellis Island in the early 1900’s introduced Catholic America to the portrait, which was embraced enthusiastically. The image showed the young girl’s vulnerability and sweetness. In addition, the timeless nature of her mantle and the cold background suggested the new title under which the artwork was so successfully marketed: “Madonna of the Streets.”

While Sister Angela Marie is delighted by the popularity of her mother’s portrait, she explains why her relatives don’t like the title “Madonna of the Streets.” “My family in Italy feels that streets refers to prostitution,” she says. “The original title, ‘Madonnina,’ actually means ‘Little Mother.’” That interpretation is a more accurate description of the young girl holding her baby brother. Sister Angela Marie says, “The family has tried to locate the original—I would love to see it.” The painting vanished from Italy, perhaps during World War II. It may be in the innocent hands of someone who has no idea of its value or its significance to the Bovo family. Sister Angela Marie says the most recent lead suggests that it is “somewhere in Pennsylvania,” unwittingly donated by an unidentified priest to a parishioner’s private art collection about 50 years ago. The family hasn’t given up hope of finding their missing Madonnina. “We wouldn’t question the ownership at all. We just wish to see the painting with our own eyes—touch the brush strokes, realize the true colors and know that they were applied at the moment the artist was close to our mother and uncle.” (Source: americancatholic site, “The True Story Behind the ‘Madonnina’”, by Barbara E. Stevens, 2000)

DOMESTIC PAYMENTS: are made via PayPal (Preferred) and WE REQUIRE FULL PAYMENT WITHIN 4 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE, otherwise an 'Unpaid Item Dispute' will be opened & filed automatically by eBay. After that time period, we reserve the right to sell the artwork to another buyer or back-bidder and you will also be blocked from any of our future auctions.

Note: UPS covers up to the 1st $100.00. Please see 'Our Shipping Policy' below

*As a result of the newer sales tax laws, we must collect sales tax on all items (including S&H) that ship to: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut and all others on the eBay list.

INTERNATIONAL PAYMENTS (IMPORTANT!!!): Payment is via PayPal ONLY, in $USD (United States Dollars) and no other form of payment will be accepted (NO W. Union, NO International M.O.'s (NO $ Orders), NO Cashiers Checks, NO Outside PayPal Bank Transfers). The 'Buyer' is completely responsible for any 'Currency Exchange' Fees. WE REQUIRE FULL PAYMENT WITHIN 4 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE, otherwise an 'Unpaid Item Dispute' will be opened & filed automatically by eBay. After that time period, we reserve the right to sell the artwork to another buyer or back-bidder and you will also be blocked from any of our future auctions.

WE SHIP TO: The U.S. & WORLDWIDE (Excludes: China, Korea, South, Russian Federation, Haiti, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Somalia).

IMPORTANT NOTES: We ship all of our Antique & Vintage Items Safely & Securely Hardpacked & Secured in between Oversized Cardboard, AND/OR shipped in Heavy-Duty Tubes with Archival Paper or Glassine with Bubble-Wrap added for Protection. Our customers have greatly appreciated their well-packed & well-protected artwork as our feedback clearly shows. -We have unfortunately been on the receiving end of poorly-packed artwork and we wouldn't wish that on our worst enemies.

***To save our customers MORE $$$, ALL Shipping Rates (Domestic & Overseas) 'DO NOT' include Handling/Packing Fees and are extremely close to the 'Actual Shipping Costs' based on eBay's (estimated) Shipping Calculator that we use exclusivley on all of our auction listings.

"eBay's SHIPPING CALCULATOR": We exclusively use eBay's "SHIPPING CALCULATOR", which is built right into the auction page itself and is accessible at the top of the page via the 'See all details' or via the 'Shipping and Payments' tab next to the 'Description' tab at the top of the page. You simply type in your Zip Code or choose your Country from the Drop-Down list provided & it displays the shipping amount for you. HAWAII & ALASKA, would be shipped by either USPS Priority Mail or UPS 2nd-Day Air.

*DOMESTIC BIDDERS PLEASE READ:
-For U.S. (lower 48 States): We normally ship via USPS (United States Postal Service) or UPS-Ground as an alternate choice. We recommend UPS since they cover up to the 1st $100.00. We will provide a tracking number and will email it to you when the item(s) have shipped.

SHIPPING RATES: In the continental United States are based on the estimated size of the item (with extra spacing for Hardpack and/or Heavy-Duty Tube & Bubble-Wrap for protection) & estimated final weight.

HAWAII & ALASKA: Would be shipped via USPS Priority Mail or UPS 2-Day Air based on estimated size with extra spacing for hardpack and/or shipped in a heavy-duty tube, bubble wrap and estimated final weight.

**INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS PLEASE READ (IMPORTANT!!!):
-For CANADA & WORLDWIDE: We normally ship via USPS International (United States Postal Service), within their size restrictions. Please see USPS for further information regarding your country and its respective 'Rate Charts', complete information & 'Conditions for Mailing'. We would fill out the appropriate Customs Forms and provide the 'Winning Bidder' with the 'Customs Number' via email as soon as the item has shipped (Items can be tracked via USPS). PLEASE NOTE: Any Customs Clearance or Import Duty Fees and/or Taxes (normally collected upon delivery and/or pickup), are the 'Winning Bidder's' sole responsibility, and are not included in the item price or the shipping charges. *Please check with your country's Customs Office/House prior to bidding/buying to determine what those additional fees will be*. We normally ship within 2 business days of cleared payment, but PLEASE NOTE: Please allow extra delivery time for your item(s) to clear all Customs Houses (U.S. and Abroad-typical delivery time about 14 business days +/-). We also would need a VALID INTERNATIONAL ADDRESS to 'Ship To'.

***IMPORTANT NOTE*** Customs charges/fees & duty taxes are based on the final value amount of the item(s) that we are required by U.S. law to declare on Customs Forms before shipping the item. Under U.S. law we are unable to mark a smaller amount or to declare the item a gift, sample, or anything other than merchandise prints/paintings etc, so PLEASE DO NOT ASK. We are a respectable business & must transact our auctions honestly & by the law. We would be liable and would get in trouble if there were any complications. The value marked on the Customs form will be the final auction price for any or all prints/paintings & will not include shipping. Most items will be shipped rolled in a Heavy-Duty Tube to save on shipping costs. Some may be shipped flat/hardpacked at our discretion.

NOTES FOR ALL BIDDERS:
COMBINED SHIPPING: We offer Combined Shipping, for multiple winning auctions if the items can be put into the same package. Note: Some Combined Rates may be higher due to Combined Weight changes or Oversized (OS1) dimensions, for items such as: Framed items, multiple paintings on canvas, oversized items etc. Please wait until we email you an appropriate invoice reflecting the discount for any multiple item auction wins before you pay via PayPal, or you can email us for an invoice after auction end.

We normally ship items within 2 business days of receiving cleared payment. Please Note: Our gallery is closed Sundays & Mondays. We make every effort to pack artwork securely and carefully as per the items’ specifications.

Due to the Antique/Vintage nature of MOST of our items, at our discretion we ship items flat or in heavy-duty tubes and they are securely & safely packed with each item wrapped in packing paper or archival glassine, then secured in between oversized cardboard or rolled in a heavy duty tube, then bubble-wrap is added, as per the item's specifications. Smaller items (like postcards & small prints) will also be securely & safely packed with each item wrapped in packing paper or archival glassine, then secured in between oversized cardboard, then shipped in a bubble-lined envelope.

*UPS DOES NOT SHIP TO P.O. BOXES*

Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc. is NOT responsible for shipping service transit times, provided by USPS & UPS, which normally exclude weekends and holidays (with the exception of Saturday mail deliveries for USPS), and may vary with package origin and destination, particularly during peak periods such as; Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day etc.

Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc. is NOT responsible for Customs Clearing & Delivery Times. Delivery &/OR Pickup times for your package may vary from country to country, so please be patient.

*All items are 100% Guaranteed Authentic* and are sold "AS IS/AS DESCRIBED" to the best of our knowledge, research and ability. We are completely honest with our 'Item Descriptions' (even to a fault) and our customers have appreciated it, as our feedback clearly shows. As per eBay's new rules (09/01/2011), we offer a 14-Day Return Privilege ONLY. If you are not satisfied with the item for any reason or feel the item is significantly different than as described honestly above- Simply return the item within 14 days of 'receipt of the item' in the same condition as received, for a full refund including the initial shipping fee.

-Note: Refunds are applied in the form they were received.

Your 'Winning Bid' is a contract. Remember, that as the 'Buyer', you enter into a legally binding contract to purchase the item from the 'Seller' Meibohm Fine Arts, Inc. Please read through all of our 'Selling Policies' listed above and please be aware of what you are bidding on and feel free to ask any questions, or research the item BEFORE placing a bid.

EMAILING US: eBayers, at all costs, please use eBay's email system only (no outside email addresses) with any questions you may have. eBay's email system GUARANTEES we get your email and more importantly, that you get ours. A lot of servers in the last few years have started using newer SPAM filters, and there have been a lot of problems with GOOD emails not getting through correctly, and being returned as undeliverable. We have had numerous problems in the past communicating with our eBayers outside of eBay because of it.

COLLECTORS & DEALERS: Please DO NOT email us (inside or outside of eBay's email system) with any offers to stop an auction early. It would not be fair to the rest of the eBay Worldwide community if we did that. THE HIGHEST BIDDER -OR- HIGHEST OFFER WINS IT!!!!!

Thank you from the Staff at Meibohm Fine Arts, GOOD LUCK & HAPPY BIDDING!!!