Sister Hummel was a prolific artist; she created more than 1,000 different motifs in her short but productive life. most of her original art is owned or controlled by one of four groups: The first, ARS AG of Zug, Switzerland - publisher of prints and art cards - probably has the largest number of originals, some of which it has lent to the Hummel Museum in New Braunfels, Texas. ARS AG claims to have the exclusive right to use, in two-dimensional form, all the artwork created by Sister Hummel during her years with the convent-including drawings that are now held by private collectors. The second is W. Goebel Porzelanfabrik of Germany, the producer of the three-dimensional M.I. Hummel figurines. It has a fairly extensive collection of original art in its factory archives. Third is the Siessen Convent in Saulgau, Germany, where Sister Hummel lived and his buried; it owns a number or originals that are on display in its gallery. The fourth block of original art is owned by the Hummel family and is on display in Massing, Germany, where Sister Hummel's nephew Alfred Hummel, has created a Hummel Museum in the family home and birthplace of Sister Hummel Adolf Hummel (Sister Hummel's brother and Alfred's father) cataloged much of his sister's artwork and probably knew more about the original art than anyone. Most of the world's leading galleries and auction houses know little about Hummel Art. It has been found that copies of Sister Hummel's work were created by unknown German artists after World War II and sold to American GIs stationed there. If you have Hummel Art or Figurines, and you question their authenticity, you may contact Robert L. Miller at: 112 Woodland Drive, Eaton, Ohio 45320. Mr. Miller is an internationally known expert on M.I. Hummel artwork. He has written numerous articles on the subject, and is the author of the No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures & More. He and his wife have one of the most extensive personal collections of M.I. Hummel pieces in the world.
