I am an avid Hallmark Merry Miniature collector. I bought my first Merry Miniature in 1982 as a gift for my ill sister. It was cute and made me smile. It was called "Pilgrim Mouse". She loved it as well and it made her smile. I was hooked.

Sometimes you will find an item listed as a Hallmark Merry Miniature that is not authentic to the Hallmark Merry Miniature line. What difference does it make if it is not authentic? The only difference is in determining the value of the piece and is only important if you are an avid collector. If it is just a Hallmark  store item and not authentic to the Hallmark Merry Miniature line of dated items it greatly decreases the value of the piece.

Hallmark started making the Hallmark Merry Miniatures in 1974. They stopped making them in 2002. The best way to find out if your item is authentic is to go to the source of the item. Hallmark made a booklet  called Merry Miniatures, A Collection of Charm . It produced these in from 1974- 1991.  It produced a  Historical Review Guide in 1999. In these Hallmark pictured or listed  completely all the Hallmark Merry Miniatures they had made exclusively for the line. These can still be found occasionally on line and are inexpensive resource guides. The earlier Review guides (1974-1991)pictured all the Merry Miniatures. The Review guide from 1999 pictured some and listed completely all the items made exclusively for the Hallmark Merrry Miniature line until 2000.  These were given away when you purchased your Merry Miniature and are the best guides to establish that your item is authentic.

They also made available for sale as a secondary  market value guide , the Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Collector's Value Guide beginning in the 1990's. These listed all the Hallmark Merry Miniatures from the Historical Review and Collection of Charm guides and is the best guide to use currently ( the latest one was made in 2006) to confirm the authenticty of the item.  Each item is pictured, with original cost, item#, title of the piece and current secondary market value. Another good secondary source guide is Rosie's Secondary Market Price Guide it also list only authentic items. If your item is not listed in any of these it is not authentic to the Hallmark Merry Miniature or Mini Miniature line.

Happy Collecting!