| Hannon
Bell began his lifelong dedication to the Life and Career of Elizabeth
Taylor in 1963. Today, 47 years later, he has amassed a fantastic,
world renowned collection of over 20,000 photographs from literally
around the world including 8x10 color and black & white glossies,
stills, rare and/or never before published photos, very rare studio
photos, magazine and newspaper photos, news clippings and more. Catalogued
and compiled “encyclopedia style” in 90+ binders, the
collection thoroughly documents Taylor’s life and career.
Throughout the years, Elizabeth Taylor has acknowledged Bell’s fabulous collection, as have her press agents, various writers and the press. Since 1973 it has been the subject of numerous newspaper and magazine articles. In addition, Hannon Bell has appeared on TV shows and news segments to discuss the collection. Bell has been contacted by authors Kitty Kelly and C. David Heymann for his expertise and worked extensively with Heymann on his book, “Liz, An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor.” Hannon Bell has most undoubtedly created the largest and most unique personal collection on Elizabeth Taylor in the world by a private individual. Reputed to be the largest, it is definitely one of a kind, impossible to duplicate.
From the sheer intensity of the methodically compiled photographs in the volumes of unerring accuracy, to the rare never before published photos and the original Cleopatra script; this collection is mind-boggling. Of particular interest, is the binder containing all original press clippings, letters and more the collection has garnered since 1973. This binder is a very important component to the validity of the collection as it substantiates its value and importance. Over the years, Taylor has acknowledged the collection and it’s creator, as have press agents John Springer and Chen Sam through a host of letters. Writes Kitty Kelly (Elizabeth Taylor, The Last Star) and C. David Heymann (Liz, An Intimate Biography of Elizabeth Taylor, whom Bell worked with on his book), have sought out his expertise. Also in this binder are all the mentions Hannon and his collection have received in People, Life and Celebrity magazines as well as newspaper and magazine articles and features from across Canada and the U.S. Included
is a series of videotapes on the collection via TV news and programs
aired in Canada and the U.S. Also included is a video library of
Taylor’s work on film as well as a library of books written
on Taylor and related subjects. Bell expands his dedication to his
subject by including the three songs he wrote to Elizabeth Taylor.
Winner of two lyric awards from the American Song Festival, Bell’s
up-tempo, romantic and jazzy songwriting techniques are evident
as he tells an intelligent yarn of his passion to Taylor. Hannon
Bell is not just a fan; he’s the ultimate fan. Sung to press agents John Springer and Chen Sam and sent to Taylor at the same time as the t-shirts “Hannon’s Passion” were asked for by Taylor (1976/77), the naming of the perfume Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion launched ten years later is ironically familiar. I’m A Fan (1982), about Hannon’s experience of first seeing Taylor in person at the stage door of the Martin Beck Theatre in NYC during The Little Foxes. Love At The Movies (1983), autobiographical account of being Taylor’s “super fan”. Mind-boggling, unique, one of a kind and the World’s Largest Collection on Elizabeth Taylor is what Hannon Bell has created. C. David Heymann summed it up best when he personally wrote a dedication to Hannon in his book, “A Woman Named Jackie”, “To Hannon, who has the finest Elizabeth Taylor collection in the world”. 1991 NYC. This fascinating collection includes:
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All
photos used on this site are from the Hannon Bell Collection |
