Goebel discontinued making Hummel figurines in 2008 and Manufaktur Rodental took over the factory in Germany and began making new Hummel figurines. Hummel figurines made by Rodental are marked with a yellow and black bee on the edge of an oval line surrounding the words Original M.I. Hummel Germany.
Hummel figurines were a result of a collaboration between ceramicist Franz Goebel and Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel, whose holiday cards featuring small children caught Goebel's eye in a Munich religious art shop. They made their first appearance at the March 1935 Leipzig Trade Fair and were a success with American businessmen. During World War II, Goebel turned to making insulators and mess-hall dinnerware, but in the '50s the figurines once again found their way into cabinets around the world.
HUM Numbers
Figurines are identified by an incised HUM number on the base. This refers to their listing in the factory's design journal. They also have individual titles. HUM 1, modeled by Arthur Moller in 1935, is called “Puppy Love” and shows two young street musicians either side of an attentive little dog.
Early Figurines
Notable early figurines include “Little Fiddler” HUM 2, “Merry Wanderer” HUM 7, and “Book Worm” HUM 3, which is a large bookend in the shape of girl with a picture book on her lap. Many of these figurines were restyled in the '60s. The original versions usually have rectangular bases, while the bases of the restyled models are somewhat rounded.
Rare Figurines
Some Hummel figurines are exceedingly rare. An example of a very scarce table lamp, “Volunteers” HUM 102, was snapped up by one collector in a Washington thrift store in the 1970s. Only 50 or so copies were made of “Little Velma,” HUM 219, most of which are believed to have been shipped to Canada. If you come across a figurine of a little girl with pigtails gazing at a frog, be sure to look at it very closely--it might be worth a king's ransom.
Marks - First Period
Because many of the most popular figurines stayed in production for decades, an understanding of the company's marks is essential for purposes of dating. For pieces made between 1935 and 1949, look for a “WG” logo and the “M. I. Hummel” signature. The word “Germany” appears before the war, then from 1946 to 1948 the phrase “Made in the U.S. Zone Germany.'
Marks - Second Period
In 1950, Goebel introduced its new “bee in a V” trademark. (The bee is a visual pun upon Hummel, which means “bumblebee” in German.) Until 1957, the bee was naturalistic in appearance and flying in profile, then it was replaced with a stylized bee facing head on. In 1972, the V was poised over a printed “Goebel,” and then in 1979 was dropped altogether.
1976 Vintage Authentic Goebel Hummel Figurines Catalog & Price List
Pre-OwnedFrom United Statesor Best OfferCustoms services and international tracking providedVintage M I Hummel Figurine Catalog & Price List by Goebel 1976
Pre-OwnedFrom United Statesor Best OfferCustoms services and international tracking provided1965 Hummel Figures Figurine Catalog Vintage with Price List
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesBuy It NowWORLD FAMOUS 'HUMMEL' FIGURINES by W. GOEBEL BOOK & 1971 PRICE LIST
Time left5d 19h left0 bidsFrom United States1981 Hummel Art II Book John F Hotchkiss With Pricing List Fast Free Ship
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom United StatesBuy It NowCustoms services and international tracking providedGoebel Hummel German Figurine Statue #409 Coffee Break (special edition 1976)
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesBuy It NowCustoms services and international tracking providedGoebel Hummel Figurine #630 For Keeps Membership Year 1994/95 TMK-7 w/ Box
Time left3d 16h left0 bidsTop Rated PlusFrom United StatesRARE LIMITED EDITION 1970'S HUMMEL GOEBEL FROBEK W. GERMANY HOCKEY PLAYER FIGURE
Pre-OwnedTime left3d 19h left0 bidsFrom United StatesCustoms services and international tracking providedHUMMEL GOEBEL MERRY WANDERER TMK 2 FULL BEE BOY WITH UMBRELLA SUITCASE 10.5'
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom United StatesBuy It NowCustoms services and international tracking providedGoebel Hummel Figurine #51 3/0 Village Boy TMK-3, 3 1/2'
Pre-OwnedTime left3d 16h left0 bidsTop Rated PlusFrom United StatesGOEBEL HUMMEL THE PHOTOGRAPHER #178 FIGURINE TMK-2 {FREE SHIPPING}
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom CanadaBuy It NowCustoms services and international tracking providedWayside Harmony Goebel Hummel Figurine 111 3/0 Boy Fence 1972-76 TMK-4
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom United StatesFrom United StatesBuy It NowFrom United StatesPre-OwnedTime left3d 16h left0 bidsTop Rated PlusFrom United StatesM I Hummel Goebel Porcelain Figurine First Mate Mold 2148 Germany
Pre-OwnedTop Rated Plus30% offAuthentic Berta Hummel * Goebel BH 59 * Light The Night * New in Box * Mint
From United StatesFrom United StatesBuy It NowCustoms services and international tracking providedGoebel Hummel Jumbo Nativity TMK 6 #260O King Standing Signed 1981 Excellent
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom CanadaBuy It NowFrom United StatesHummel Goebel 6 3/4' Spring Dance Figurine 353
Pre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom United StatesPre-OwnedFrom CanadaBuy It NowFrom United StatesCustoms services and international tracking provided