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Elizabeth Taylor collection to go around the world

Legendary actress's equally legendary items will tour before being sold in New York

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IMAGE: Elizabeth Taylor
AP
Christie's auction house says that Elizabeth Taylor's former possessions will begin touring in September and stop in cities like Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles.
updated 6/29/2011 8:12:48 AM ET 2011-06-29T12:12:48

NEW YORK — Elizabeth Taylor's collection of jewelry, art, designer clothing and other memorabilia will go on an international three-month tour before it is sold in New York in December, Christie's auction house announced Wednesday.

The tour will begin in September and include stops in Moscow, London, Dubai, Geneva, Paris, Hong Kong and Los Angeles. It will end in New York, where Christie's plans a "museum-quality exhibition" of the late actress' collection that will fill its entire gallery space from Dec. 3 to Dec. 10.

The auction will be held over four days on Dec. 13-16.

Slideshow: Elizabeth Taylor, 1932 - 2011 (on this page)

Taylor, who was infamously married eight times to seven husbands, was also known for her passion for opulent diamonds. She died in March at age 79.

She published a book in 2003 titled "Elizabeth Taylor: My Love Affair with Jewelry," and her collection has included some of the world's most expensive stones.

A portion of the proceeds from the exhibition admissions and publications related to the sales will be donated to The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

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The screen icon's impressionist and modern art collection will be sold at Christie's in London in February.

In April, Christie's announced that it had reached an agreement with Taylor's family to sell her prized jewelry collection, as well as her art, clothing, accessories and other memorabilia.

Further details of the sales, exhibitions and tour dates will be announced in the fall.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Photos: Elizabeth Taylor: Legend

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  1. Tiny Taylor

    Young Elizabeth Taylor stands with her brother, Howard, and their pets in a garden, circa 1930s. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Related story Screen legend Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79

  2. First role

    Taylor's first big-screen role was in the 1942 film, "There's One Born Every Minute," in which she co-starred with Carl 'Alfalfa' Switzer and Catherine Doucet. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation
    Related video Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
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  3. Pure velvet

    Taylor gained prominence playing Velvet Brown in 1944's "National Velvet," the story of a girl who nurtures a special horse and races him in England's Grand National Steeplechase. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  4. Doggone good

    In 1946, Taylor starred opposite Lassie in the dog's third (and Taylor's sixth) film, "Courage of Lassie." In this film, the legendary dog outsmarts the Nazis during World War II. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation

  5. Greeting fans

    Teenage Taylor, wearing white gloves and an evening gown, signs autographs for eager fans at a nightclub in 1946. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  6. Growing up

    Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor embrace on the set of 1949's "Conspirator," as the crew looks on. This was Taylor's first adult role. (Keystone Features / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  7. Marriage No. 1

    Taylor and her first husband, hotelier Nicky Hilton, on their wedding day, May 6, 1950. The two divorced on Jan. 29, 1951. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  8. Finding a 'Place'

    Taylor and close friend Montgomery Clift co-starred in George Stevens' 1951 film, "A Place in the Sun." She played a spoiled socialite who attracts the attention of Clift, who then murders his working-class pregnant girlfriend (Shelley Winters). Clift and Winters were nominated for Oscars, but Taylor was snubbed. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  9. Marriage No. 2

    Taylor married her second husband, Michael Wilding, on Feb. 21, 1952. The two were divorced on Jan. 26, 1957. (Ron Burton / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  10. Under contract

    Taylor starred opposite George Sanders and Robert Taylor (not pictured) in Richard Thorpe's 1952 film, "Ivanhoe." Taylor was reportedly not pleased that MGM cast her in this forgettable film. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  11. Simply lovely

    Taylor poses for a promotional photo in 1955. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  12.  Related video Elizabeth Taylor remembered as 'extraordinary star'

    Iconic cast

    Taylor starred opposite James Dean and Rock Hudson in George Stevens' 1956 film, "Giant." Dean and Hudson were nominated for Academy Awards, but once again, Taylor was passed over. (Everett Collection) Back to slideshow navigation

  13. My two sons

    Taylor with her sons Michael (born Jan. 6, 1953) and Christopher Wilding (born Feb. 27, 1955). (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  14. Tragic turn

    Taylor married her third husband, American film producer Mike Todd, on Feb. 2, 1957. He was killed in a plane crash on March 22, 1958. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  15. Here, kitty, kitty

    Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor starred together in Richard Brooks' 1958 film, based on the Tennessee Williams play, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." She received her second Oscar nomination (the first was for 1957's "Raintree County") for her role as Maggie the Cat. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Image: Elizabeth Taylor
    Related story Elizabeth Taylor: 'The last movie star'
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  16. Marriage No. 4

    Taylor married actor Eddie Fisher on May 12, 1959. It was a major 1950s Hollywood scandal when he left actress Debbie Reynolds (and his children Carrie and Todd Fisher) to be with Taylor. The two divorced on March 6, 1964. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  17. Passion play

    Richard Burton played Antony to Taylor's Cleopatra in the 1963 film of the same name. Taylor received $1 million for her role, and the two stars had a well-publicized affair during the filming. The couple would marry, for the first time, on March 15, 1964. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  18. Golden girl

    Taylor holds the Oscar she won for her role in 1966's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in which she starred opposite husband Richard Burton. It was her second Oscar; she won her first for her role in 1960's "Butterfield 8." (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  19. Twice as nice

    Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton hold their granddaughter, Leyla, on Jan. 15, 1973, in Gstaad, Switzerland. The couple divorced on June 26, 1974, but then remarried on Oct. 10, 1975. They divorced for a second time on July 29, 1976. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  20. Marriage No. 7

    Taylor married American politician John Warner on Dec. 4, 1976. The couple divorced in 1982, while he was serving as a Republican senator from Virginia. He previously served as Secretary of the Navy. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  21. Checking in

    Taylor visited "General Hospital" in 1981, where she portrayed Helena Cassadine opposite singer-actor Rick Springfield's Dr. Noah Drake. Here they're pictured with "GH" executive producer/director Gloria Monty. (ABC via AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  22. AIDS activist

    Elizabeth Taylor appears before the Labor, Health and Human Services Senate Subcommittee on May 8, 1986, in Washington, D.C. Taylor appeared as chair of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and appealed for more research funds. The actress helped create amfAR after the 1985 AIDS-related death of her friend, actor Rock Hudson. She also created the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. (Jerome Delay / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  23. Two child stars

    Taylor and singer Michael Jackson hold one of two awards he won on Jan. 25, 1993, at the American Music Awards in Los Angeles, Calif. She was a vocal Jackson supporter during his 2005 trial on charges of sexually abusing a child. (Vince Bucci / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Related video Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor has died
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  24. Marriage No. 8

    Taylor married former Teamster Larry Fortensky, 20 years her junior, at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch on Oct. 6, 1991. The two met while patients at the Betty Ford Clinic. The couple divorced on Oct. 31, 1996. (Brenda Chase / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  25. Related video AIDS crusader Taylor not afraid of scandal

    Honored

    President George W. Bush shakes hands with Taylor, a Kennedy Center honoree, on Dec. 8, 2002, at The White House. Left to right, the other honorees are actor James Earl Jones, music conductor James Levine, dancer-actress Chita Rivera, singer-songwriter Paul Simon and Taylor. (Eric Draper / AFP) Back to slideshow navigation

  26. Birthday bash

    Taylor arrives with her children, Michael Wilding Jr., Christopher Wilding, Maria Burton, and Liza Todd Burton, for Taylor's 75th birthday party on Feb. 27, 2007, in Henderson, Nev. (Ethan Miller / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  27. Acting up

    Taylor starred opposite James Earl Jones in the A.R. Gurney play "Love Letters" in 2007. The performance raised $1 million for Taylor's AIDS foundation. (Mario Anzuoni / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  28. Saying goodbye

    Taylor attends Michael Jackson's funeral service at Glendale Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, Calif., on Sept. 3, 2009. (Harrison Funk / The Jackson Family via EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  29. The legend

    Taylor on the catwalk at the 27th Annual Macy's Passport party in Santa Monica, Calif., on Sept. 24, 2009. Despite suffering from a cold, the 77-year-old Hollywood legend managed to make an appearance grand enough to warrant a standing ovation. Taylor told the crowd, "As my beloved friend Michael [Jackson] said, 'We are the world.' And it is up to us to take care of those who are sick and dying, in this country and particularly in Africa." (Chris Pizzello / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  30. Legacy

    The American Film Institute named Taylor No. 7 among the Greatest Female Stars of All Time. On the list, she came right after Marilyn Monroe and just before Judy Garland. She died on March 23, 2011, in Los Angeles with her children at her side. She was 79 years old. (Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
    Related video Legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
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  1. Elizabeth Taylor With Her Brother Howard
    Getty Images
    Above: Slideshow (30) Elizabeth Taylor: Legend
  2. Bob Englehart / The Hartford Courant, Politicalcartoons.com
    Slideshow (6) Elizabeth Taylor, 1932 - 2011

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Video: Elizabeth Taylor buried in private ceremony

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    >> screen legend elizabeth taylor was laid to rest on thursday. at her request she arrived a fashionable 15 minutes late. mark potter has the details. good morning to you.

    >> reporter: good morning, matt. the funeral in glendale was planned as a low key private family event and that's what it became. but it still drew lots of attention. outside the famed forest lawn cemetery an army of cameras and reporters from around the world reported the somber arrival of five black limousines carrying elizabeth taylor 's family. only about three dozen relatives attended the funeral. from the air they could be seen driving up to a big white tent as to officials watched the arrivals. taylor left instructions that the service begin at least 15 minutes later than scheduled because, quote, she even wanted to be late for her own funeral.

    >> i'm amazed at how funny she is and had a great sense of humor. to me it's not surprising that she would go out with an understated flair.

    >> reporter: the service included poetry readings from colin farrell , two of her children and a grandson. another grandson played amazing grace on the trumpet. glendale police said she'll be interred in the great mausoleum where michael jackson also rests.

    >> she's not next to michael jackson but near, in the same mausoleum, yes.

    >> reporter: under jewish tradition burial occurs after death. elizabeth taylor became jewish when she was 27 before her marriage to eddie fisher , her fourth of seven husbands. her final resting place, forest lawn , is where many hollywood stars are also buried including clark gable , jean harlow , w.c. fields and walt disney . at the end of the service there was no procession and family members departed as quietly as they arrived, silent in their private grief. as for a public memorial service a publicist said it could be several weeks before the details are confirmed. matt?

    >> all right. mark potter in glen tail, california, this morning. thank you very much.

    >> seems like it would be like elizabeth taylor even in talking about a funeral that is so sad she would leave us with a smile.

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