Who: Barbara Maundrell Hammond of Norwood, executive director of the Cincinnati Fire Museum, who has a burning desire to collect “Mona Lisa” stuff.

        On display: Almost 75 items bearing the image of Leonardo da Vinci's most famous portrait, including a sewing kit, night light, bar of soap, clock, postcards, several puzzles, candy boxes, a “flip” book, magnets and posters.

Barbara Hammond has nearly 75 items bearing the image of Mona Lisa (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Where: Scattered throughout her home and office.

        The mysterious lady has even found her way into Ms. Hammond's wardrobe. On any given day Mona might be seen on a T-shirt, umbrella or mirrored compact.

        Shill: How did Ms. Hammond, who holds a bachelor's degree in art history from Finch College and has done graduate art history work at the City University of New York, start her collection?

        “It was a "mercy buy,' ” she admits. “I was working on a silent auction for a fund-raising event. A wonderful artist had donated a very nice print that incorporated a 2-foot by 2-foot picture of the "Mona Lisa.' ”

        Ms. Hammond bid on it to encourage other bidders. But no one else did, so she ended up taking it home.

        Salted peanuts: After that first purchase, Ms. Hammond was hooked.

        “My perceptions were heightened,” she explains. “All of a sudden my attention was focused on Mona. I started seeing her everywhere, in ads, on products in stores, wherever. So, I started buying things.”

        A little help from my friends: Several years later, Ms. Hammond is still pursuing images of her favorite painting. Her friends and family have also taken up the cause.

        Ms. Hammond saw the original “Mona Lisa” at the Louvre Museum in Paris when she was a college student. She believes that by collecting “Mona Lisa” items, she is somehow re-creating that experience.

        “I also really appreciate the art of Leonardo da Vinci,” she adds. “And this is a wonderful example of what he did.”

        Around the corner: The image of the “Mona Lisa” is very classy, but Ms. Hammond admits that most of the items in her collection were inexpensive. Nothing cost more than $20. So she is going to keep looking for more.

        “That's part of the fun of it,” she declares. “You never know what you are going to find or where you are going to find it.

        “It's the thrill of the chase,” she says with an enigmatic grin.
       e your prize possessions with Marsie Hall Newbold by mail: c/o The Cincinnati Enquirer, 312 Elm St., Cincinnati, OH 45202 or by e-mail at: marsolete@aol.com.

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