Dustables, Inc., 7/24/98
"Around here, we consider your book - the collection of Miller on Hummel articles - a big hit! As of today, we have sold out of the 160 copies we brought back from the Expo. All the comments we hear about the book are positive! We're looking forward to receiving 40 more copies"

Antique Week 9/7/98
"Articles are printed in full, with numerous illustrations. Robert L. Miller is a recognized authority on Hummels, and this book is a must-have for any serious collector."

Book Description
Receiving "rave reviews" from everyone who has seen it, Hummels 1978-1998 is a must for every Hummel enthusiast! Collectors love Robert and they love the book! Robert Miller's reputation stands as the world's #1 expert on collectable M.I. Hummel items, and, for years, M.I. Hummel collectors have been asking his advice on the hobby. Now all these answers and more are available in one edition! This book a compilation of all Robert's "Miller on Hummel" columns published by Collectors News gives the reader an overview of the hobby and a look at its development during this 20-year period. You'll find exclusive information not available anywhere else. You'll gain insights and learn the details of history, rarities, variations, original artwork, look-alikes, trademarks, and values data essential to today's collector. The book includes hundreds of high-quality black & white photos, most of which Miller took himself. Virtually every 81/2" x 11" page includes one or more photographs. And you'll find a complete alphabetical index, listing every reference made to specific figurines, to help you locate information quickly and easily. Collectors News published Hummels 1978-1998, in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of Robert's column. The book is a testimony to Robert's continued enthusiasm for M.I. Hummel figurines, his devotion to educating fellow collectors, and his commitment to submitting the "Miller on Hummel" column to Collectors News all these years.

From the Publisher
About This Book This book is published in celebration of 20 years of authoritative columns written by Robert L. Miller; and in response to the many requests over the years, made by avid collectors of M.I. Hummel items, who read Collectors News seeking Mr. Miller's expertise. Here it is a complete compilation of "Miller on Hummel" columns, written by Robert L. Miller, and published only in Collectors News. Mr. Miller introduced the hobby of collecting Hummel figurines to CN's readers in June of 1978, and his column then started in May of 1979. Despite his busy schedule, Robert found time to write about his passion and to share his knowledge. Throughout the 20-year run of his column, there have been only a handful of issues in which a submission was not included. The publication of this book has been embraced enthusiastically by Mr. Miller and would not have been possible without him. The overwhelming process of accumulating the illustrations was entirely his project. He personally reshot the majority of the photos illustrating this book; others were retrieved from his "files," and one or two were borrowed from other collectors. Only a few of the old photographs could not be obtained or reshot, in which cases scans were taken of illustrations in the original articles published by CN. Though the quality of these photos is lesser, we trust that researchers will still benefit from their inclusion. Organization: This text is arranged in chronological order. Each chapter represents a year's time, with the exception of the first chapter. The Table of Contents lists each of the columns in the order of publication. At the back of the book, an alphabetical Index helps readers find items by name and/or topic. Space for your personal notations has been left at the end of most chapters. Columns are reprinted in the order of their publication, giving the reader a look through Robert Miller's eyes, into the Hummel collecting hobby as it has developed during the past 20 years. Such a volume, providing insight into this popular hobby, has never been published prior to this work. Acknowledgements: We would like to say "Thank You" to: -- Robert Miller, for his countless contributions, both in writing the original columns faithfully for 20 years, and in all the time and effort spent on the illustrations for this book. Your energy for life and devotion to collecting have set you apart from the masses. Our prayers go with you and Ruth for many more "thrills in the hunt" and fulfilling times with friends, old and new, through your love of Hummels. -- Dean A. Genth, for writing the Foreword to this publication and giving us a glimpse of the relationship that has blossomed between father-in-law and son-in-law. May collectors benefit from your joint accomplishments for years to come. -- The Staff at Collectors News, for your commitment to this task. To Deb Ringena and Jean Janssen for encouraging us not only to publish this book, but to include every article submitted by Robert Miller over the years. To Jean Janssen for locating, copying, and organizing the columns from back issues of CN and for scanning photographs. To Rilla Jo Pabst for OCI scanning the text and for scanning photographs. To Dave Souhrada and Ronda Jans for taking on extra duties while others were working on this book. You're a great team! Now, to all who open the pages of this book, "Happy Hummel-ing!" Cherie Souhrada, Publisher; and Linda Kruger, Editor

From the Author
Preface The Editor of Collectors News has asked that I write a few words as a preface to this publication. I welcome this opportunity to greet the many fine collectors that Ruth and I have met during the past twenty years of writing this column and to say "Thank You" for your friendship, questions, comments, and suggestions. Without YOU there would not have been a column. Many of you have heard my story of how this all came about. I have been a retail grocer all my life, and occasionally still help my son, Timothy, who now owns the family business, when he needs a little help. Actually, my wife Ruth started our collection as a hobby over thirty years ago. I used to remind her that I worked too hard selling groceries, for her to spend $4.00 or $5.00 on a little hunk of clay and some paint it just did not seem right to me! But then she reminded me that I had one bad habit that of smoking cigars! She convinced me that it was only fair that she should be allowed to spend the same amount of money on her collection of "Hummels" as I spent on cigars. After all, my money went up in smoke, while she still had her figurines! You can see who the smart one is in our family! What could I say! Eventually, I, too, became fascinated with her hobby, and we started collecting together. I even found myself spending not $4.00 or $5.00, but oftentimes $4,000.00 or $5,000.00 on a figurine that I wanted! At this point, she said it was no longer her collection, but mine! Of course, I rationalized, that the more rare figurines and the more knowledge I acquired, the better our books sold, and the more people would read my articles! Today, I still smoke my cigars (maybe a little better quality now), and Ruth and I still have our collection. I also find myself referring to back issues of these "Miller on Hummel" articles to refresh my memory on just what I said about Hummel collecting over this long expanse of time. You, the collector, and I have learned together as we shared information through this medium of the press. After twenty years, most of the information in the columns is still accurate and current. But remember that things do change, and we learn as we go along. As you read the articles published here, you may find a few things which were correct at one point in time, that are no longer 100% correct today. If so, our address and phone numbers are included below, so you can continue to contact us with your questions or comments. It has truly been fun writing these monthly articles, books, etc. visiting, corresponding, and speaking with many of you these past twenty years. Ruth and I look forward to many more years of fun and fellowship with each of you! Sincerely, Robert L. Miller

About the Author
Foreword Rarely in one's lifetime do we have the opportunity to honor an individual as a "living legend." Such is the status, however, of my father-in-law, Robert L. Miller. "Dad," as he has been affectionately called by me for some twenty-eight years now, has served as my mentor in the wonderful worlds of both M.I. Hummel figurine collecting and the retail business environment. Robert L. Miller, a legend in his own time, has been the guiding force for hundreds of thousands of M.I. Hummel figurine collectors for nearly three decades. What began innocently enough as a nice little M.I. Hummel momento entitled, "Happy Days" to represent children Cynthia and Tim, that first Hummel purchase has grown into a world renowned M.I. Hummel figurine collection undisputed as the world's largest and most complete. He was a special contributor in the first comprehensive book on M.I. Hummel figurines: HUMMEL, The Complete Collector's Guide and Illustrated Reference, published by Portfolio Press Corporation in 1976. The Second Edition of this book was compiled by Robert L. Miller in 1979. It has been Robert L. Miller's insatiable thirst for knowledge about M.I. Hummel figurines that gave birth to the very first M.I. Hummel Price Guide that was published in 1981. Dad, with a genius' eye for detail began very early-on looking for variations and differences among Hummel figurines. As variations were observed, Dad would log and record these differences for future reference. The important thing to note is that not only were these variations written down, they were also indelibly written in Dad's brain. Wherever the Millers travel, Dad has always been able to visually spot a figurine with some slight nuance that sets it apart from the norm. This God-given ability, along with his thirst for knowledge, quickly and instinctively led Dad to sharing this information with other interested M.I. Hummel figurine collectors. It is not surprising then that, in 1978 when Collectors News called asking him to write a column on Hummels, he, without hesitation, wholeheartedly agreed to oblige. At that moment "Miller on Hummel" became a reality and a beacon of light for M.I. Hummel collectors worldwide. In addition to the depth and breadth of Robert L. Miller's written works, he has willingly appeared personally countless times before M.I. Hummel collectors, infusing and engaging them with his enthusiastic and affable storytelling about "the thrill of the search" and "the latest interesting finds." My father-in-law has been my mentor over the years and has taught me not only the basics of good business practices, but has also transferred to me the enthusiasm and desire to speak and write about collectibles to interested collectors. Because of Robert L. Miller, I have become inspired to publish and write about the collecting of figurines and have become a recognized appraiser of M.I. Hummel Art in my own right. Therefore, it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I introduce you to the writings of a great man I call, "Dad." Whether you are a newer collector or one of the "originals," you will find interesting reading in this compilation of the wonderful twenty years of "Miller on Hummel" by Collectors News. Enjoy, and keep on collecting. In Appreciation to my Mentor, Dean A. Genth

Excerpted from HUMMELS 1978-1998: 20 Years of "Miller On Hummel" Columns By Robert L. Miller by Robert L. Miller and Collectors News. Copyright © 1998. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
September 1979 HUM 192 "Candlelight" Question: This may sound like a silly question, but I really would like to know the answer. I have been studying several books about Hummel figurines and I do not understand what they are talking about on the Hummel candleholder called "Candlelight" when they state that it was made with a long candle or a short candle. It seems to me, they could use any length of candle they wanted to in the holder. Please explain. Answer: Your question is very good and really needs to be cleared up for many collectors. The Hummel figurine you refer to is HUM 192 "Candlelight." The design was copyrighted in 1948 and the original name was "Carrier of Light." It actually is a candleholder that holds a little wax candle that fits into a receptacle in the angel's hands. The original design was made with a red ceramic holder extending almost to the angel's feet. With the red wax candle fitted into the receptacle in the angels hands, it appears to be a very long candle. The figurine was restyled in the early 1960s and the red ceramic part was eliminated. (Note photo, making comparison of the two styles, the older, long candle style on the right and the current variety on the left.) Hope this information makes it clear. This photo can be seen in color in the Second Edition of our new book, Hummel, The Complete Collector's Guide and Illustrated Reference, which can be purchased at most stores selling Hummel figurines. October 1979 HUM 219/2/0 "Little Velma" Question: We visited the "Hummel Festival" in Eaton, Ohio, this past June, and enjoyed it very much. We also discovered that there was a Hummel made called "Little Velma," my namesake. We would like very much to purchase one if at all possible. Could you possibly quote me a price, and where I might possibly be able to obtain this particular piece. I am a member of the Goebel Collectors Club.- Sincerely yours, Velma Beson, Ann Arbor, Mich. Answer: The figurine you refer to is HUM 219/2/0, a little girl sitting on a fence looking at a frog. According to factory records, there were only a very few sample pieces made of this figurine. Possibly as few as 12 pieces. It was decided by the factory and the convent that the design was so similar to that of Hum 112 "Just Resting" that it could not be made a part of the line. It has been classified as a (CN) Closed Number by the Goebel factory and will probably never be produced again. Several years ago, my son-in-law purchased this particular figurine from a lady in California. (I was on vacation in Europe at the time.) It was the first piece to receive public notice, and, since it did not have an official name (factory records only described it in words), we affectionately called it "Little Velma" in honor of the lady that sold it to us. Since that time, I have learned of five or six other Hum 219/2/0 "Little Velmas" that have turned up in other places. These Hummel figurines have sold for and are valued at from $8,000 to $10,000 each. At the present time, I am not aware of any that are for sale. "Meditation" HUM 13/0 Question: I have an old HUM 13/0 "Meditation" that does not have ribbons on the girl's little pigtails. It does not appear to be broken or repaired. Is this unusual or rare? - Margie Ross, Cincinnati, Ohio. Answer: I would consider your figurine "Meditation" both rare and unusual from the fact that the current production figurines no longer have that style pigtail. Actually, there are three variations in the pigtails used thru the years on "Meditation" in the 13/0 size. (1) The early "Crown" mark figurines usually had a very short pigtail with only a red painted band for the ribbon. (2) The early "Full Bee" trademarked examples were made with a longer pigtail but no ribbon or bows at all. (3) The later models were made with the longer pigtails and a little red bow or ribbon on each pigtail. All "Meditations" made since the early 1950s would be of this style. (See photo of these three variations.) Small Nativity Lambs Question: I have collected Hummel figurines for many years. A friend of mine who is also a collector claims that there is a variation in the lambs used in the small Hummel Nativity set. I think she is wrong. Would you please clear this up for us.- Bea Smith, Kentucky. Answer: Your friend is absolutely correct! Not very many collectors are aware of this variation. Back in 1951 when the small size Hummel Nativity set (214/A thru 214/O) was first put on the market, it did have a different lamb! The early model (Hum 214/O) was slightly smaller in size. The main difference, however, is the position of the head of the lamb. On the old model, the lamb is looking straight ahead, while on the newer version, the head is turned to the side. (Note photograph.) Both pieces have the M.I. Hummel signature and the 214/O identification number incised on the bottom. The very early Hummel catalogues picture the Nativity set with the older version lamb.