"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" --
Dustables, Inc., 7/24/98"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." --
Antique Week 9/7/98
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
