Whether you're buying or selling Hummel figurines, Hummel price guides and collector books will surely come in handy. These guides include photos, descriptions, and prices for the hundreds of different Hummel figurines that have been made over the years. Not only will you see the figurines that are already in your collection and those that you've been considering purchasing, you'll also see several rare and hard to find pieces that you may not even have known existed. Study the guide from front to back so that you won't miss out if you happen to see one of these rarities offered for sale. Here are some of the most popular books on Hummel collectors' bookshelves:

No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel Figurines, Plates, Miniatures and MoreNow in its 10th Edition, this Hummel price guide by internationally known Hummel expert Robert L. Miller includes hundreds of color photos. The latest edition includes more figurines and a larger number of photos than ever before. This widely respected Hummel collector book is a go-to reference source for many Hummel collectors. Large, clear photos makes it easy to match listings to the Hummel figurine you own. The Hummels are listed in numerical order, with a short description and history of each figurine included in the book. An index lists the Hummel figurines alphabetically for those that know the figurine's name but not its number. This book includes not only figurines, but also Hummel bells and plates.

The Official Hummel Price Guide: Figurines & PlatesThis Hummel collectors' reference book by Heidi Von Recklinghausen contains more than 2,000 color photos, as well as a section of Sister Hummel's drawings along with the figurines inspired by them. Like Miller's Hummel price guide, it lists figurines in numerical order with an alphabetical index. The author's family has collected M.I. Hummel figurines for three generations, and she is a former representative in the International Hummel Club.

Luckey's Hummel Figurines and Plates: Identification and Price GuideBy Carl F. Luckey, this Hummel price guide is now in its twelfth edition, which was printed in 2003. Because the newest edition is already seven years old, the pricing information may be a little dated, but this collectors' guide still serves as a comprehensive volume for Hummel collectors and dealers. It includes listings for more than 3,000 Hummel collectibles, including figurines, prints, postcards, calendars, plates, and more. The information includes a full description with identification information and current production status. However, it does not include a photograph for every listing, which can make it difficult for those who do not already know the name or number of their piece. Luckey's guide features a handy section on recognizing forgeries and fakes, which can help Hummel collectors buy and sell confidently on the secondary market.

Bakertowne's Price Guide For M.I. HummelBy Tammy Kahn Fennell, Matthew Fennell, and Lou Kahn, this Hummel price guide promises to offer the most realistic prices. Color coded by trademark, this pocket guide offers an easy-to-use chart format, making it ideal for those who want to take a Hummel price guide on the go. Although it lacks the color photos contained in other Hummel collector books, many collectors find that it lists prices that are more in line with what they're seeing on the market.

Always keep in mind that the prices found in any price guide, regardless of the author or the date of publication, may vary from what you see offered for sale. If you want up-to-the-minute information on what Hummel figurines are actually selling for, consider searching eBay's completed listings. This will show what the figurine has sold for over the past 3 months. Many collectors find that the values listed in Hummel price guides tend to be inflated when compared with the prices they see on eBay.

If you want to check out a few completed transactions from eBay on December 2010, view our latest Hummel price list.