Hummel Figurines

The charm and value of Hummel Figurines collections

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Being the fine porcelain creations that they are, many professional appraisers will be glad to take a look at your collection and will be able to tell you the exact value of Hummel figurines. If you're just trying to get a general idea of the value of your collection, however, there are some easily accessible sources that can help you out. The current Goebel or Hummel catalog will only list the retail prices of currently available pieces, but there are a couple of very good price guides out there that are updated with some regularity to help you figure out where to begin.

Having an idea of how much your collection is worth before you have it appraised is very important, especially if you're planning to sell it, because you want to make sure that you're getting the very best price possible.

Keep in mind that the value of Hummel figurines can vary with their condition, age, how many were produced originally, and rarity. Price increases by the manufacturers over the years also change the value of retired or old Hummels, so be sure to take that into account and consult the latest version of the price guide.

Checking pieces for authenticity before you purchase or sell them is also extremely important. Every Hummel figurine will have the stamped signature of Sister Maria on the bottom, along with the Goebel trademark. A few pieces will not have the signature inscribed on the base due to the fact that there is not enough room to adequately display it, but the Goebel company stamp will always be there, serving as a seal of approval.

The style of the Goebel trademark has changed several times over the years, so you'll need to be familiar with the different versions to make sure that the figurine was made in the correct time period. However, in all but the very first stamp, one thing remains the same - a tiny bumblebee. Since "Hummel" in German means "bumblebee," making sure that your figurine has a little bee on it is the first step to making sure it's the real thing.

If you're looking for general old Hummel figurines to start your collection, auctions and estate sales are a good start if you're looking for ones in mint or excellent condition. However, if you don't mind searching through a couple that may have some bumps and bruises, flea markets and garage sales are also an excellent choice. Like many porcelain figurines, Hummels have the potential to be repaired if they happen to crack or break, but this significantly decreases their value if you later intend to sell them.

Caring for your figurines is fairly easy, as a great many of them have been around for many years without sustaining much damage. This is because they were made in the past, as they are today, with quality and collectibility in mind. Therefore, displaying your figurines on a shelf or in a cabinet is perfectly acceptable as long as you remember to give them a good dusting every now and then to keep them looking presentable. Compressed air, usually used for cleaning computers and electronics, is just the thing.

Despite the many years that they have been in production, today's Hummel figurines are still created with the same care and love that Sister Maria put into all of her drawings, which is one of the major reasons they have remained so popular when other companies have fallen by the wayside. Each and every design for a new Hummel figurine must be approved by the art board at the Convent of Siessen, where Sister Maria lived and created her art, then molded and painted using the same techniques that were used when the very first figurine delighted audiences well, 70 years ago.

In 2005, the Goebel company will celebrate seven decades of rendering Sister Maria's timeless artwork into porcelain, and they don't seem to be planning on stopping anytime soon. As a celebration, some of the molds from the original issues have been uncovered and a series of reproductions of the first figurines will be revealed through the year. With so many wonderful Hummel figurines already on the market and untold numbers to come, we collectors can be sure that we're going to have our hands full for years to come!