The American Bell Association International, Inc. (ABA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to the collection, preservation, restoration, and research of bells in which members can attend regional chapter events and an annual national convention.Springer, L.E. (1972). "The Collector’s Book of Bells", Crown Publishers Inc., New York, NY, USA. . Twenty-two U.S. chapters and an additional five international chapters are recognized by the American Bell Association International; global membership is 1,200 persons.Association of Collecting Clubs. "Collecting Club Directory: American Bell Association International" . Retrieved on 13 September 2013. The organization is one of over 100 names that uses the acronym ABA.TheFreeDictionary.com "ABA". Retrieved on 13 October 2013.AcronymFinder.com "American Bell Association International, Inc". Retrieved on 13 October 2013.
History
The American Bell Association International started in 1940 as the National Bell Collector's Club by several women staying at the Chautauqua Institution in New York State, and the organization initiated a monthly printed publication, The Bell Tower, named in honor of the Miller Bell Tower at the institution.Mellecker, J. The Talk of the Town, "Bells," The New Yorker, June 29, 1987. p. 21. In 1989 The Bell Tower became a bi-monthly printed publication and has remained so since.Rama, Jean-Pierre (1993). "Cloches de France et d’ailleurs", Le Temps Apprivoisé, Paris, France. . Content of The Bell Tower is varied, ranging from miniature collectible bells to huge tower bells.TowerBells.org. "Tower Bells - Introduction.". Retrieved on 13 October 2013.
Events
The first American Bell Association International annual convention took place in Chicago, Illinois, in 1946. The fifth annual convention was held in New York City and featured in The New Yorker, which covered one of the American Bell Association International's founders, Mary A. Collins, and Bells of Sarna by the founder of present day company S.S. Sarna.Hellman, J.T. The Talk of the Town, "Ting-a-Ling," The New Yorker, July 8, 1950. p. 18. The most recent (2015) annual convention will be held in Kansas City, MO.http://klnl.org. "American Bell Association Convention.". Retrieved on 1 May 2015. The annual convention is held in a different state each year. Chapters of the American Bell Association International have various meeting schedules and convene two or more times per year.Shoreham Bell Museum. "What is the American Bell Association International, Inc.?" . Retrieved on 13 October 2013. Chapter meetings generally include five main components. A social phase allows members to meet and converse. Presentations allow members and/or experts to disseminate information about a focus or discipline regarding bells and may take such forms as digital and/or oral lectures. A business discussion phase addresses chapter goals and achievements. A display period allows members to provide viewings of items from their bell collections, and an exchange period presents members the opportunity to buy, sell, and/or trade items.Publishers Clearing House. "Antique Bells - Collectible Bells - Vintage Bells." . Retrieved on 13 October 2013.
See also Bell of King Seongdeok Bellfounding Bianzhong Campanology Carillon Change ringing Glockenmuseum Stiftskirche Herrenberg Jingle bell Liberty Bell List of heaviest bells Russian Orthodox bell ringing Ship's bell Tsar Bell
Notes
American Bell Association International members include(d) authors of books on travel to find bells,Meyer, A.C. (1944). "Travel Search for Bells", Lightner Publishing, Chicago, IL, USA. collecting bells as a hobby,Additional publications on hobby and collection of bells: Baker, D.S. (1999). "More Collectible Bells: Classic to Contemporary", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. Baker, D.S. (1998). "Collectible Bells: Treasures of Sight and Sound", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. Trinidad, A.A. (2001). "Glass Bells", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. Trinidad, A.A. (2003). "Collectible Glass Bells of the World", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. Trinidad, A.A. (2010). "American Glass Bells", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. Trinidad, A.A. (2010). "Glass Bells from Around the World", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., Atglen, PA, USA. bells as culturally significant instruments,Springer, L.E. (1976). "That Vanishing Sound", Crown Publishers Inc., New York, NY, USA. and campanology.Spear, Nathaniel Jr. (1978). "A Treasury of Archaeological Bells", Hastings House Publishers, New York, USA. . The American Bell Association International is recommended by the Smithsonian Institution as the source from which public inquiries may obtain information about bells.Smithsonian Institution. "Bells, Selected References." . Retrieved on 13 October 2013. The symbol of The American Bell Association International is a bell reported by the donor (the organization’s 14th president) to have belonged to Ulysses S. Grant.Bell Collectors of the ABA (1970). "Bells of the World", The American Bell Association, Natrona Heights, PA, USA.
References
External links The American Bell Association International, Inc. 'Bell Talk'