Collection Germany

Hummel Collectibles

The history of Hummel collectibles is as charming as the figurines themselves. They are based on the work of a truly inspired artist, a Siessen nun named Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. Sister Hummel was born Berta Hummel in Massing, Bavaria in 1909, and was an artistic and inquisitive child.

The Sisters at the local one room schoolhouse that Berta attended recognized that her insightful sketches showed extraordinary talent. When she turned twelve years old, a teacher urged her family to send Berta to a boarding school so that her artistic skills could flourish. Berta Hummel thrived in this setting. Upon her graduation at the age of 18, Berta was sent to Munich, Germany so that she could be immersed in a more professional artistic arrangement.

Munich was a mecca for artists in 1927, and Berta Hummel excelled at the famed Academy of Applied Arts. Even as she studied within the classic curriculum that included such subjects as still life, anatomy, and landscapes, Berta continued to sketch the whimsical scenes of joy and innocence inspired by her Bavarian childhood.

Berta Hummel did not join in the boisterous activities that most other students at the Academy sought out. Rather she became friends with two Franciscan Sisters who were studying to be teachers. After graduating with top honors in 1931, she was offered a position teaching at the Academy. She entered the Convent of Siessen instead, and a few years later, adopted the name of Maria Innocentia.

As always, Sister Hummel continued sketching children, and soon, her sketches emblazoned art cards and books. The profits from her artwork fostered the Convent’s teaching, and missionary, efforts. Before long, Munich, and Franz Goebel, became aware of her work. Goebel was the owner of W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik, an illustrious porcelain company.

Goebel understood that Sister Hummel’s artwork of children depicted as figurines would endear itself to Germans during this most challenging of times. An agreement between Sister Hummel, the Convent, and Goebel was reached. In 1935, the first Hummel figurines were introduced at the Leipzig Spring Fair. Although they were an almost instant success in Germany, the onset of World War II placed serious restrictions on their production.

At the war’s end, however, Hummel collectibles began to garner a large following around the world as soldiers stationed in Germany sent the charming and whimsical figurines back home to the United States.

Although Sister Hummel died from tuberculosis in 1946, she left behind a vast collection of sketches. This has enabled Goebel to continue to produce Hummel figurines based on her drawings. The Hummel figurines are painstakingly hand painted following Sister Hummel’s detailed sketches.

Hummel collectibles are stamped with a mark that designates them as being authentic. Depending on the year of production, this mark can include a baby bee, the letter V, or the words W. Goebel. Each Hummel figurine, however, always includes the signature of M. I. Hummel if there is a base or stand on which to place it.

As with other collectibles, the condition of the Hummel figurines figures greatly in determining the value of the particular figurine. Those Hummel collectibles that are free of chips, cracks, or crazing will hold their value over time. Similarly, the figurines that are rare or that were released accidentally in spite of production errors, are highly valued by collectors.

About the Author

Lawrence Bell, Editor of The Antiques Bible, offers an illustrated glossary of antiques terminology with links to other helpful resources.

German WWII World War Two WW2 Luftwaffe Military Collection Militaria WWll Part 1

GERMANY LOST TERRITORIES POSTER STAMP COLLECTION $0.00

(5) EAST GERMANY COLLECTION M & U IN STOCK ALBUM $0.00

DDR GERMANY STAMP COLLECTION OF 1948 TO THE 1960s $0.00

GERMANY: CLASSIC COLLECTION 1872 – 1940 – VERY NICE++++ $0.00

Collection of 15 Funny German Tobacco Cards from 1932 $0.00

FROHE WEIHNACHIEN SPOON COLLECTION KELPA ARTS GERMANY $0.00

German Lyric Poetry (V. 1); A Collection of Songs and B $0.00

s6299 Germany Early & Modern collection as scans $0.00

Modern German Reader: A Graduated Collection of Prose E $0.00

GINO VANNELLI-THE ULTIMATE COLLECTION-3 CD DIGIPAK + BOOKLET-GERMANY-2003-32 BIT $0.00

DEUTSCHE REICH STAMP COLLECTION MIXED GRADES GOOD LOT 879 $0.00

GERMAN GERMANY STAMP COLLECTION MIXED GRADES GOOD LOT 848 $0.00

GERMAN GERMANY STAMP COLLECTION MIXED GRADES GOOD LOT 852 $0.00

DEUTSCHE REICH GERMANY STAMP COLLECTION MIXED GRADES GOOD LOT 880 $0.00

Collection of 146 THE GERMAN HOMELAND Cards from 1934 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW342 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW343 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW344 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW345 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW346 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW347 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Mint & Used EG3 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Mixed EG5 $0.00

Border Fine Arts The Dog Collection A24203 German Shepherd $0.00

Overprint MEMEL GERMANY FRANCE EUROPE STAMPS Page from Old Collection LOT 417L $0.00

Overprint MEMEL GERMANY FRANCE EUROPE STAMPS Page from Old Collection LOT 418L $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW349 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Fine Used 7SW351 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW352 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW353 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW354 $0.00

Germany – 1927 Hindenburg collection $0.00

East Germany – 1954 Official stamp specialized collection $0.00

German States 19th Century used collection 11 diff cv $42.70 $0.00

TANGERINE DREAM – OCEAN WAVES COLLECTION 2010 GERMAN CD IN DIGIPACK * NEW * $0.00

TANGERINE DREAM – SILVER SIREN COLLECTION 2010 GERMAN CD IN DIGIPACK * NEW * $0.00

Germany Collection of 84 Used German stamps CV $95.25 $0.00

Acton Collection: Class 34; Germany, Austria and Hungar $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW362 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW363 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW364 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Mixed 7SW373 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Mixed 7SW374 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used 7SW375 $0.00

GERMANY Old Stamp Collection Used EG6 $0.00

2 FDC EAST GERMANY GDR DDR 1976 – ART COLLECTION DRESDEN $0.00

GERMANY 1960-70s MNH STAMP COLLECTION SINGLES/SETS – I (40) $0.00

GERMANY 1960-70s MNH STAMP COLLECTION SINGLES/SETS II (40) $0.00

GERMANY 1970s MNH STAMP COLLECTION SINGLE COMMEMORATIVES (41) $0.00

GERMANY 1980s MNH STAMP COLLECTION SINGLE COMMEMORATIVES (40) $0.00