two large swiss chiantel foundry 1878 bells, ht. 4"

<span style="" >Collection of bells assembled by Leonard F. Wilson (1910-1996).<br/>Len described his collection as consisting largely of agricultural working bells, but over his many years of collecting, he gathered a wide variety of bells. In addition to animal (horse, cow, sheep, donkey, etc) bells, the collection includes hand bells, shaft bells, stringed harness bells, saddle chimes and other back pack bells, mechanical bells, and a few miscellaneous gongs, religious bells, etc.<br/>The collection includes over 400 items. Len assembled the collection between the mid 1960's and the early 1990's. Most of the bells were purchased at auction sales or second-hand stores in Alberta and British Columbia. Over this period, Len acquired a considerable knowledge of bells. He was an active member of the American Bell Association, attending some of its annual meetings.<br/>The collection has been in storage in Victoria, BC since Len's death in 1996.</span>