Thursday, March 29, 2007

Nazi Hummels...

I have always been crept out by those Hummel figurines. They always seemed a bit pervert- oriented to my eye. Here's another reason to dislike them, these are German post cards from the 1930s. Currently for sale on Ebay, if you like.

I particularly like the little pilot's pistol holster. I can't read German, does the caption read "Off to Rotterdam?"







2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am surprised by your lack of research staghounds. These are not Hummel illustrations. They are generic illustrations of children done in a style made popular in Victorian and Edwardian times. The only thing that likens them to Hummel is the fact they share the same German dress. Though I've yet to see a Hummel sporting an army helmet or sailor cap.

Berta Hummel was a nun whose drawings captured the interest of Goebel an owner of a porcelain firm. In 1935 he struck a deal with her convent to create figurines. These were very popular with GIs, hence their continued popularity in the U.S.

Google Hummel and see her original drawings and you will see how different they appear to these images.

Of course, the allies were not averse to using such bizarre propaganda as well.

staghounds said...

I agree with all you've said, I actually knew the Hummel/ Goebel background- had to dispose of a mass of them from an estate some years ago.

These pictures still remind me of the particular Hummel exaggeration of feature. The fat little hands and arms, pushed in noses...