Let me begin by saying that I do not profess to be an expert.  I have a passion for anything Hummel.  I have a very extensive collection of postcards and have read several different references on Hummels.  No reference book is dedicated specifically to postcards; what I have learned has been through a great deal of research.  Perhaps, one day, instead of writing my "memoirs", I will tackle a reference book dedicated to Hummel postcards. 

Furthermore, there is no set value, no table you can look at to see what a particular postcard should cost.  The collectors' themselves decide what a postcard is worth to them and bid accordingly.

Hummel postcards are made from the drawings of Sister M. I. Hummel. The numbers can vary from a three-digit number, like the Emil Fink postcards, to four-digit numbers, like most of the Joseph Mueller postcards.  Some of the older postcards are five-digit numbers.  The five-digit cards are no longer made.  Newer postcards will have a 62.____ number and are usually easier to find.

If you have been looking for Hummel postcards and are not sure whether or not you are getting a good deal, here are a few guidelines that may help you.

1.  Know the manufacturer:  The majority of the Hummel postcards are published  by Emil Fink or Joseph Mueller and are printed in Germany.  Newer postcards are printed by Ars Edition.

     < Sample of Emil Fink <Sample of Mueller

Emil Fink postcards are numbered from 201, up to the 900's.   Joseph Mueller postcards' numbers range from 4000 to 5999 and are also the five-digit numbers.  The newer 62.000 are published by Ars Edition, Zug/Switzerland.  The standard postcard measures approximately 4 1/8 inches by 5 3/4 inches. 

The pictures illustrated below show two postcards with the same subject.  The picture on the left is entitled "Special Delivery" and is Mueller #5436.  The postcard on the right is Mueller #14829 , and is also entitled "Special Delivery", but is a "detail" postcard, meaning it is a close up of the child's face.

2.  When searching listings for postcards, look in the description area for information about that specific postcard, i.e. is it postally used? is there writing on the back? are there any marks or bends or creases in it?  If you are not sure about the condition, do not hesitate to contact the seller and ask them to address your questions.

3.  To help the prospective buyer, postcard descriptions should give as much information as is possible.  For example, I have my own rating system that grades postcards from "Fair" to "New".  A postcard that is unused, has no bends, creases, or tears, but does have yellowing from age around the edges on the back, would be rated "Fine" with my system.  This means the picture itself is in excellent condition and any flaws (yellowing) are on the back side.

4.  Some of the oldest of the Hummel postcards are printed on buff paper and have a "scalloped" edge; the oldest of these are in black and white or brown and white.  Below is an example of a "scalloped edge", black and white and the same postcard shown in color.  The number for the black and white is 4510 (Josef Muller).  The postcard in color is 4532, also Josef Muller.

 < Black & White  < Color

This particular drawing was also done with dark-skinned children.  A picture is shown below for your pleasure.

  Notice that the drawing has been reversed with the angel now on the right side and the children are on the left.  The number of this postcard is 4531, published by Josef Muller.

5.  The back of the postcard, what is printed on it - or not printed on it - can help determine just how old the postcard might be.  For example, I have discovered that some of the earliest postcards (circa early 1930's) have only the number printed on the back. (Example 1).  Progressively, "B. Hummel" was added as well as "Verlag Josef Muller, Munchen.  At this point, there still is no vertical printing stating "Printed in Germany".

 < Example 1    

In later printings, not only was the previous information printed on the back; some postcards had German writing - a saying depicting the picture on the front - on the back as well - most likely,  these are from the 1940's and 1950's.   By now, "Printed in Germany" or Printed in West Germany" has been added to the back of the postcard, printed vertically as a divider between the message area and the address area.  Example 4 illustrates the back of postcards that were published by Ars Edition.  These are newer - relatively - most likely from the 1970's or 1980's.

   <Example 2

In our last example, the back of current postcards is illustrated.  When I say current, I mean from the 1990's to present day.

  The upper corner will begin with: "Original M.I. Hummel" with the specific number for that postcard printed next.  Below that, the name will be given in German and English.  The bottom left corner will have a bar code and arsEdition.  Vertically printed, "arsEdition GmbH 80792 Munchen; Fax (089) 381006-55; Copyright 1995 (or the year it was printed) ARS AG, Zug/Switzerland; Printed in Germany".

The wonderful drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel have been treasured by many for more than 70 years.  The expressions on the children's faces are precious.  I invite you to take a look  today and maybe you will fall in love with these wonderful children too!