Last updated on December 2nd, 2022 at 04:32 pm
Do you collect antique Hummel figurines, most simply referred to as Hummels, which are porcelain figurines based on the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel? If you do, then read on!
Usually showcasing children doing everyday activities, Hummel original figurines have a fascinating history. Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel O.S.F. (M.I. Hummel), a Bavarian girl and a German Franciscan sister and nun, was the original artist behind the Hummel figurines. Born Berta Hummel, she took on the name of Sister Maria Innocentia in 1931 when she joined a Franciscan convert in southern Germany. She had just completed her applied art education at the Munich Academy, and started to dabbled in painting during her free hours. Her art consisted mostly of cute children with rosy cheeks engaging in popular children activities.
Then, her drawings were made into postcards by a German publisher, but Maria Innocentia’s creativity soon caught the eyes of Franz Goebel, the owner of a porcelain shop W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik, who thought that customers would love something genuine in a world of political turmoil, and nothing could depict this better than the innocence of children. He asked for Maria Innocentia’s permission to transfer her drawings of children and the Madonna onto plates, bells and porcelain figurines. M.I. Hummel did not agree initially, but soon relented, though she reserved the right to select the official color palette and approve every single figurine. Goebel was officially granted the sole right to create porcelain figurines based on Maria Innocentia’s original artwork.
‘Sister Hummel’, as what Maria Innocentia was called, personally approved the design of every piece of porcelain figurine by master sculptors. These porcelain figurines, which were usually painted with pastel colors and came with adorable facial expressions, embodied the simple beauty of the Bavarian countryside in the early 20th century. These porcelain dolls became popular Hummel gifts or as home decoration for family homes. Profits made by the Goebel porcelain company were shared with Maria Innocentia’s convent.
Goebel then debuted the Hummel Goebel figurines at the Leipzig Trade Fair and they started to become very popular, but this was affected by the second World War. After the war, Goebel started to produce the figurines again. These Goebel Hummel figurines had became very popular in the American market, as American troops stationed in West Germany had sent them to family members back in the United States as Hummel gifts.
Except for the war, these Goebel Hummel figurines have been in continued production, bringing to life all of Maria Innocentia’s creations. Since then, Goebel Hummel figurines have been made for almost every occasion in life, from rosy-cheeked children picking apples, a Hungarian girl with flowers to a school boy delivering letters with their pets.
Production of Hummel figurines by the Goebel company was taken over in early 2009 by Manufaktur Rödental GmbH under the direction of Jörg Köster. But after its bankrupt in 2013, it was taken over by a new management team and figurine production continued in its original factory and production country in Rödental, Germany, where they have been made since 1935. They are still created under the strict supervision of the Sister Hummel’s convent. However, in 2017, this company also became bankrupt and was acquired by Bernd Foertsch, a German businessman. He subsequently decided to focus on direct sales and a collector’s community as his sales channels and reduce the production yearly from 55,000 to 20,000. Also, he decided not to produce any more Hummel figurine smaller than 10 centimeters, or cost less than 100 euros (about USD104).
The M. I. Hummel Club
The Goebel Collector’s Club, a club established as an information solution for the increasing number of M. I. Hummel Goebel collectors, was founded in the United States in 1977 to support the hobby of every Hummel plate and figurine collector. Twelve years later, the club expanded to the international markets, renaming itself as the M.I. Hummel Club. It has now been operating for more than 4 decades and counting, offering benefits for members that include a quarterly magazine and exclusive figurines developed specially for members, and sent to them every year to those who join or renew their membership.
If you are a serious collector or a fan, you should know how important it is to know the worth of the antique Hummel figurines that you are buying or collecting, and how difficult it is to accurately know how to identify the genuinely authentically vintage ones. Genuine antique Hummel figurines will each have a Goebel trademark on it that you can use to check the date of your Hummel figurines.
What you can do is to also check out some detailed list of prices or price lists of vintage Hummel products or guides on vintage Hummels (there is a complete Hummel Price Guide here), or browse through some related antique toys forums online. But in general, these are some pointers that you can use as a guide:
- Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel Signature: The signature of Sister M.I. Hummel is incised on the base of almost every Hummel piece, an agreement between the contract with Franz Goebel, the manufacturer. You need to pay extra attention though, as this does not apply to figurines without bases or do not have any surface to incise the signature.
- Goebel mark: One of the most significant age identification and identification methods is via the Goebel mark, which appears on the bottom of each figurine can indicate when it was made. The chart here offers a look at each stamp and what is the date of manufacture. Earliest models are in general more valuable than the modern designs.
- Hummel mark: Beside the Goebel mark, there is also a mold number on the bottom of vintage, authentic Hummel figurines. This will give an idea of how old the Hummel figurine is.
- Name of figurine: If you know the name of the Hummel figurine, it is easier for you to check when it was made, and how much it is worth. Here is a comprehensive list from Antique HQ.
- Condition: Check the figuring for any cracks, chips or damage, as as with most antiques, those that are not in perfect condition are worth less than those in mint condition. A piece of Hummel figurine in good condition with no damage or obvious signs of wear or tear have a higher retail price. It will even be priced higher if you still have the original box and packaging.
- Size of figurine: If you have a Hummel that is larger and more complex and elaborated, it will tend to fetch a higher retail price than smaller figurines in a fair market.
- Rarity of the figurine and demand: Hummel figurines that are retired and limited-edition Hummel figurines tend to be valued at higher prices than figurines that have just been produced or currently being produced. There are some pieces that are more in-demand than others, and these are usually priced a couple of hundred dollars more.
Prices of Hummel Figurines
Hummel figurines and plates are timeless classics and the rarity of some models have led to high prices online and at the auctions over the years. Prices at auctions range from around USD50 – USD75 per antique Hummel figurine, but some rare, intricate and valuable Hummels can be sold for hundreds of dollars or even thousands of dollars, with some even fetching up to five-figure sums during auctions.
Notably though, although the market price varies, the market values of some international Hummel figurines have dropped to anything between USD20 – USD50 but some antique Hummel figurines and collectibles in history could be priced more than USD100 though.
According to the Hummel Figurines and Collectibles Value Chart, a complete Hummel price guide, here are the more rare Hummel figurines and their estimated fair market value. One very popular design is the Adventure Bound, whose market value is USD1630.
- Adventure Bound (USD1630.33)
- Ring Around the Rosie (USD1063.67)
- School Girls (USD1063.67)
- School Boys (USD1063.67)
- Shepherd’s By (USD663.67)
- Forever Friends (USD913.67)
- Learning to Share (USD413.67)
- Can I Play? (USD413.67)
- Story Time (USD397)
- Christmas Delivery (USD513.67)
- Apple Tree Boy (USD120)
- Apple Tree Girl (USD120)
- An Emergency (USD120)
- Benevolent Birdfeeder (USD140)
- Blessed Event (USD140).
Lastly, it might be worthwhile to consult experts such as Ph.D. antiques appraiser Dr Lori on antique Hummel figurines. Here, she shares with us what to look out for when purchasing Hummel figurines, how to date them and how to tell if they are genuine ones or imitations. Check it out!
