Hummel: German Porcelain Figurines by Goebel
Hummel figurines are hand-painted porcelain sculptures manufactured by W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik in Rodental, Bavaria, Germany, based on the charming drawings of children by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel (born Berta Hummel, 1909--1946). First produced in 1935, these figurines depicting rosy-cheeked children in pastoral and everyday scenes became one of the most widely collected ceramic lines of the 20th century, with American servicemen returning from post-WWII Germany sparking a collecting boom that lasted decades.
Identification and Marks
Goebel used a series of backstamp trademarks that are essential for dating Hummel figurines:
- TMK-1 (Crown Mark): 1935--1949. The earliest and most valuable mark, featuring a crown with "WG" initials.
- TMK-2 (Full Bee): 1950--1956. Features a bee inside the letter "V." Highly desirable.
- TMK-3 (Stylized Bee): 1957--1964. Bee becomes more abstract.
- TMK-4 (Three Line Mark): 1964--1972. "W. Goebel" with three lines of text.
- TMK-5 (Last Bee Mark): 1972--1979. Small bee beside "Goebel W. Germany."
- TMK-6 (Missing Bee): 1979--1991. No bee; "Goebel W. Germany" only.
- TMK-7 and TMK-8: 1991--2000 and 2000--2008. Modernized marks.
- HUM numbers: Each figurine design carries a unique HUM model number (e.g., HUM 71 "Stormy Weather"). These numbers are essential for identification and valuation.
Types and Categories
- Standard figurines: Children in everyday activities -- playing instruments, reading, walking with umbrellas. The core of the line.
- Madonnas and religious figures: Less common, highly valued among devotional collectors.
- Table lamps and wall plaques: Functional pieces incorporating Hummel designs. Less collected than figurines.
- Annual plates and bells: Produced from 1971 and 1978 onward respectively. Limited collector interest today.
- Rare and prototype figures: Pieces never put into general production or produced in very limited runs command the highest prices.
Auction Price Ranges
| Item Type | Typical Range | Premium Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Common figurine (TMK-5/6/7) | $10 -- $50 | Large size: $50 -- $150 |
| Standard figurine (TMK-3/4) | $30 -- $100 | Popular model: $100 -- $250 |
| Early figurine (TMK-1/2) | $100 -- $500 | Rare model, Crown mark: $500 -- $3,000 |
| "Adventure Bound" (HUM 347) | $1,000 -- $3,000 | TMK-1 or TMK-2: $5,000+ |
| "Ring Around the Rosie" (HUM 348) | $800 -- $2,000 | Early marks: $3,000+ |
| Annual plate (common year) | $5 -- $20 | 1971 first edition: $50 -- $100 |
| International figurines | $200 -- $1,000 | Rare nationality: $1,500+ |
| Prototype/sample figurine | $1,000 -- $10,000+ | Unique colorways or unproduced models |
Market History
The Hummel market has undergone dramatic changes:
- 1945--1970: American GIs stationed in Germany brought Hummels home as souvenirs, sparking collector interest in the United States.
- 1970s--1980s: Collecting boom. Hummel clubs form, price guides proliferate, and prices rise steadily.
- 1990s: Peak market. Rare figurines reach all-time highs. The Hummel Club claims over 250,000 members.
- 2000s--present: Market correction. Oversupply of common figurines, declining collector demographics, and changing tastes have reduced prices for most pieces by 50--80% from peak values. Only rare early-mark pieces and unusual models retain strong value.
- 2008: Goebel ceased Hummel production. Manufacturing rights transferred to Manufaktur Rodental, which has produced limited new pieces.
Condition Factors
- Chips and repairs: Even hairline cracks or tiny chips on noses, fingers, or bases substantially reduce value. Professional restoration can disguise damage but is detectable under UV light.
- Paint quality: Factory-applied paint should be bright and even. Faded, smudged, or retouched paint reduces desirability.
- Original box and documentation: While not essential for older pieces, having the original box, certificate, or sales receipt adds 10--20% to value.
- Size variations: Some models were produced in multiple sizes. Larger and smaller sizes of the same design can vary dramatically in value.
Collecting Tips
- The Hummel market has softened considerably since its 1990s peak. Many common figurines (TMK-5 through TMK-8) sell for well under their original retail price, making this an affordable collecting category.
- Focus on early trademarks (TMK-1 and TMK-2) for investment potential, as these retain value due to genuine scarcity.
- Multi-figure groups like "Adventure Bound" (seven figures) and "Ring Around the Rosie" (four figures) remain among the most valuable standard production Hummels.
- The "International" series, depicting children in national costumes and produced for a limited time, is scarce and consistently sought after.
- Robert L. Miller's "The No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel" is the standard reference for model numbers, variations, and trademark dating.