If you’ve ever seen those adorable childlike figures that look straight out of a painting, there’s a high chance it’s a Hummel figurine. Hummel figurines are common at estate sales, and their value is usually modest: the pigtailed girl and the violinist boy show up everywhere and mostly sell for $15 to $40.
But rarer Hummels are worth far more, like the Adventure Bound group that sold for $700 and the rare Signs of Spring figurine that brought in $5,500 at Blackwell Auctions in January 2021. And this value gap is where most collectors get lost.
This guide walks through easy steps to spot valuable Hummel figurines, what the bottom marks mean, how to spot fakes, and which Hummels are worth looking at today.
What Are Hummel Figurines? A Brief Goebel History
The Hummel figurines are childlike earthenware figures, based on Berta Hummel’s drawings, an art student from Bavaria who joined the Convent of Siessen in 1931. She later changed her name to Sister Maria Innocentia.
Her round-face drawings attracted the attention of Franz Goebel, the head of W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik of Oeslau, Germany. They entered into a licensing agreement in 1934, with the first figurines unveiled at the Leipzig trade fair in 1935.
Puppy Love was the first figure to be released from the line. Sister Maria Innocentia, and after her death, the Siessen convent, kept the right to approve every design.
After Sister Maria’s death from tuberculosis at the age of 37 in 1946, American GIs stationed in Germany sent tens of thousands of Hummels back home, initiating the Hummel craze in America. Hummels were made by Goebel until 2008; since then, they have been made by Manufaktur Rödental.
How to Identify a Genuine Hummel and Tell How Old It Is
Each and every authentic Hummel will reveal its date of manufacture and mold origin, provided that you know how to decipher it. Virtually all such data is printed on the bottom of the figurine.
The trademark stamp indicates the age of the figurine; the mold number shows the model, while the size identifier shows the particular version. Knowing how to read these three marks will enable you to assess the value of virtually any Hummel within one minute.
The Hummel Trademark Stamps (TMK-1 to TMK-9)
The Goebel factory changed its trademark stamp nine times between 1935 and today. Each change marks a different production era, and earlier marks usually mean higher value.
So the quickest way to tell how old a Hummel is: turn it over and match its trademark to the table below.
For example, a Crown Mark piece can sell for ten to twenty times what the same mold fetches in a 1980s mark.
Some figures even have two stamps simultaneously, which indicates that the figure was molded in one time period and then painted in another. These items are referred to as “transitional” pieces and are always more valuable than single-stamp pieces.
Here’s a quick reference to all nine Hummel TMK marks:
| TMK | Name | Years | Description |
| TMK-1 | Crown Mark | 1935–1949 | Crown with intertwined “WG” initials. |
| TMK-2 | Full Bee | 1950- 1955 | Detailed bee inside the “V.” (variations exist) |
| TMK-3 | Stylized Bee | 1957- 1960 | Bee (dot+triangle wings) inside the “V.” |
| TMK-4 | Three Line Mark | 1964–1972 | Stylized bee + 3 lines: “© by W. Goebel W. Germany.” |
| TMK-5 | Last Bee / Goebel Bee | 1972–1979 | Small bee on “Goebel.” |
| TMK-6 | Missing Bee | 1979–1990 | “Goebel W. Germany.” |
| TMK-7 | New Crown / United Goebel | 1991–1999 | “W.” dropped. + Small crown |
| TMK-8 | Millennium Bee | 2000–2008 | Modern bumblebee above “Goebel” |
| TMK-9 | Manufaktur Rödental | 2009–present | Yellow-black bee on an oval with “Original M.I. Hummel Germany.” |
Other Bottom Markings
The base of a real Hummel is busy. There are usually four or five things stamped or incised into the ceramic, and every one of them tells you something. If a piece is blank or has only a single mark, slow down before buying.
Here’s what to look for on the underside, apart from the TMK marks described above:
- Mold number – This is the “HUM” number. An incised number like “7” for Merry Wanderer or “47” for Goose Girl. It identifies the design.
- Size designator – A slash followed by a number or Roman numeral, like “/0,” “/I,” “/II,” or “/X.” Bigger numbers mean bigger figurines, and “/X” is jumbo.
- M.I. Hummel signature – An incised signature in script, usually on the side or back of the base. Required on every authentic piece.
- Painter’s mark – It refers to a small marking consisting of letters or numbers that indicates the name of the artist.
- Copyright line – Something like “© by W. Goebel” or just “© by Goebel,” often with a year that refers to the mold’s original design date.
The most confusing of these marks is the design year of the mold. For instance, if an item is marked “1957,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that it was made in that year; rather, it indicates the year that the mold was created, and the piece could be from anywhere between 1957 and today.
Real vs Fake Hummel Figurines
Hummel reproductions date back as far as the genuine pieces themselves. There was an influx of fake pieces from Japan and Taiwan in the late 1950s until the 1970s. But these are generally easy to spot.
Here are the authentication signs you should look for:
- Crisp, clearly incised M.I. Hummel signature in cursive script
- A Goebel trademark on the base (any of the TMKs listed above)
- An incised mold number, not painted or stickered
- Hand-painted details with subtle color variation, not flat machine-printed color
- Substantial weight for the size, with a smooth, slightly glassy glaze
In contrast to this, fakes and reproductions usually show the following signals:
- “Hummel style” or “Designed by Hummel” instead of the signature
- Made in Japan, Korea, or Taiwan marks on the figurine
- Paper-label signature that comes off easily
- Too bright, solid, uniform colors with no shading
- Bottom that is smooth without any signs of decoration
- Proportions that seem incorrect (too large eyes, too rosy cheeks, etc.)
The Berta Hummel line from the late 1990s and 2000s, marked “BH” followed by a number, is another point of confusion. These are licensed but were made in Asia, not Germany, and are worth a fraction of true Goebel-made Hummels. If your figurine turns out not to be a Hummel at all, our guide to collectible porcelain figurines covers Meissen, Royal Doulton, Lladró and other makers.
13 Rare & Valuable Hummel Figurines and What They’re Worth
Not every old Hummel is worth big money. Below are the pieces that consistently sell for hundreds (or sometimes thousands) of dollars on eBay and at auctions.
1. Puppy Love (HUM 1)
Puppy Love was the first Hummel ever made. It shows a young violinist with a small dog at his feet. Goebel discontinued the piece during the TMK-6 era with a “Final Issue” backstamp in 1988, making it highly desirable.
There’s also a rare prototype “no tie” variant, with the head tilted differently, which can be highly collectible.
Note that a Crown Mark alone does not make it expensive. The Double Crown example shown here sold for $149.99.
- Estimated Value: $150 to $600+ (more for rare and early variants)
- Production Years: 1935 to 1988
- What to Check: Crown Mark, “no tie” prototype variant
- Quick Notes: First Hummel ever produced.
2. Adventure Bound (HUM 347)
Adventure Bound shows seven boys hiking together, which is why it’s also called “Die sieben Schwaben” (The Seven Swabians). Theo Menzenbach designed this figure around 1955, and Goebel released it to the U.S. market in the early 1970s.
The value depends almost entirely on the trademark. Later marks bring a few hundred dollars, but rare TMK-2 Full Bee examples have been valued at $6,000 to $9,000.
- Estimated Value: $250 to $9,000 (depending on TMK)
- Production Years: Modeled 1955; released early 1970s onward
- What to Check: TMK, all seven figures present
- Quick Notes: Multi-figure groups command high premiums.
3. Large Nativity Set (HUM 260)
Gerhard Skrobek modeled the large Nativity Set in 1968, and Goebel began selling it in the early 1970s. It has 16 separate pieces ranging from the 5-inch Infant Jesus to the 12.75-inch Moorish King.
The value of these pieces lies in complete sets, since Goebel temporarily withdrew the set in December 1989. A complete set with TMK-4 Three Line Mark can sell for over a thousand dollars in pristine condition today; individual pieces can fetch $80 to $380+.
- Estimated Value: $1,200 to $3,500+ (as a complete set)
- Production Years: Early 1970s to 1989
- What to Check: All 16 pieces, wooden stable included
- Quick Notes: Complete sets are very hard to find
4. Apple Tree Boy and Apple Tree Girl (HUM 142 and 141)
Apple Tree Boy and Apple Tree Girl figurines consistently land near the top of every “most valuable Hummels” list. The figurines show the children sitting on apple tree branches.
Arthur Möller modeled both in 1940. They come in five sizes, from the 3.5-inch (4/0) baby version up to the jumbo /X sizes of about 30 to 32 inches.
Thanks to their popularity, the jumbo sizes bring real money: a 30-inch Apple Tree Boy sold for $2,500 and a 32-inch Apple Tree Girl for $2,200 at Blackwell Auctions in January 2021. Price guides value the rare colossal 142/X far higher.
- Estimated Value: $40 to $2,500 (by size and TMK)
- Production Years: 1940 onward
- What to Check: Mold number /X, bird in tree
- Quick Notes: Matching pair commands a premium.
5. Merry Wanderer (HUM 7), Large and Jumbo Sizes
The little traveler with an umbrella and a suitcase is the unofficial mascot of the M.I. Hummel brand. Small variants (7/0 and 7/I) of this Hummel are common and worth $30-$150.
Larger variants, like 7/II and 7/III, are worth more, while the jumbo 32-inch 7/X is the most valuable variant. A TMK-6 jumbo from the Donald Deeks Collection sold at Blackwell Auctions in 2021.
- Estimated Value: $30 to $25,000+ by size
- Production Years: 1935 to present
- What to Check: Size designator after the mold number
- Quick Notes: Jumbo 7/X is the most expensive variant.
6. Goebel and Anri Four Seasons Hummel Music Boxes
The Four Seasons music boxes are a 1987 to 1990 collaboration between Goebel (porcelain plaque), Anri of Italy (hand-carved wood box), and Reuge of Switzerland (the 36-note movement).
The line had four releases: Ride Into Christmas, Chick Girl, In Tune, and Umbrella Girl. Each was a worldwide limited edition of only 10,000, making each one rare on its own. The first issue, Ride Into Christmas (plays Winter Wonderland), is the most sought-after.
A full set of all four music boxes is what collectors pay the most for.
- Estimated Value: $100 to $450+ (with all 4 boxes)
- Production Years: 1987 to 1990
- What to Check: Numbered medallion, Reuge movement works
- Quick Notes: Ride Into Christmas box is worth the most; sets of 4 are rare.
7. Flower Madonna (HUM 10)
Flower Madonna was made by Reinhold Unger in the late 1930s; it was redesigned by Theo Menzenbach in 1956 using a closed halo. It is available in three sizes and various cloak colors, such as white overglaze, pastel blue, blue, brown, ivory, and rare pastel yellow.
Color is everything for this figurine. Crown Mark examples in dark red, orange, light red, or brown cloaks can pull up to $2,500, while common white versions sell modestly.
- Estimated Value: $100 to $2,500 (by color and TMK)
- Production Years: Late 1930s to 1990s
- What to Check: Cloak color, open or closed halo
- Quick Notes: Rare colors are more valuable than white.
8. Little Fiddler (HUM 2)
Little Fiddler shows the same boy from Puppy Love but without the dog, and with a more focused expression as he plays the violin. Arthur Möller modeled it in 1935 as one of the original Leipzig Fair pieces.
This figure can be found in sizes of 4.75 inches 2/4/0 and up to 12.75 inches 2/III (the large size). An 8-inch TMK-1 stamp example can reach up to $1,300 in pristine condition today. The 1985 50th Anniversary versions are more collectible and valuable.
- Estimated Value: $100 to $1,300
- Production Years: 1935 onward
- What to Check: US Zone Germany stamp, anniversary edition
- Quick Notes: Anniversary editions are more valuable than standard.
9. Ring Around the Rosie (HUM 348)
This figurine shows four little girls in a ring holding each other’s hands like in the game. Gerhard Skrobek sculpted this figurine back in 1957, which was then introduced by Goebel in 1960 for the 25th anniversary of the trademark.
Against the overall fall in the price of Hummel figurines, this piece holds higher collector value than many others. A TMK-3, especially in excellent condition, can fetch between $500 and $800.
- Estimated Value: $300 to $1,500+
- Production Years: Released 1960; modeled 1957
- What to Check: All four girls, hands joined, TMK mark
- Quick Notes: Anniversary piece holds value strongly.
10. Chapel Time Clock (HUM 442)
The Century Collection started in 1986 with Chapel Time. The series ran with one idea: each piece was produced for one year only during the 20th century, then retired. This makes the Century Collection pieces quite desirable.
The Chapel Time was designed by Gerhard Skrobek. Standing about 11.5 inches, it actually contains an operating clock inside the tower of the chapel. With a working clock mechanism, this piece can fetch $100-$400.
- Estimated Value: $100 to $400
- Production Years: 1986 only
- What to Check: Clock functioning, original box, and COA
- Quick Notes: First Century Collection release ever.
11. Stormy Weather (HUM 71)
Stormy Weather shows a boy and girl huddling under a shared umbrella, sometimes sold under the older name “Under One Roof.” Arthur Möller modeled it in 1937, and it has run through almost every TMK since.
Crown Mark examples, especially the “Double Crown” variant with both incised and stamped marks, draw the strongest collector interest and value.
- Estimated Value: $50 to $700 (depending on TMK)
- Production Years: 1937 onward
- What to Check: Double Crown mark, umbrella intact, “Under One Roof” text
- Quick Notes: Older trademarks are more valuable.
12. Heavenly Angel (HUM 21)
Heavenly Angel is among the first 46 figurines from 1935. She was sculpted by Reinhold Unger as an angel holding a candle. Goebel released it in various sizes, including the tree topper size.
In 1994, the first officially licensed Hummel tree topper, HUM 755, was created. Production stopped on the topper in 1999. She also appeared on the very first Hummel annual plate in 1971.
While the original green version is the most popular one, there’s a rarer red variant, which is way more valuable.
- Estimated Value: $10 to $1,500 (by size and TMK; rare red color)
- Production Years: 1935 to present (topper 1994 to 1999)
- What to Check: Size designator, original tree topper box
- Quick Notes: First-ever annual plate motif.
13. Chimney Sweep (HUM 12)
Originally known by the name “Smoky” during its debut at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1935, the Chimney Sweep belongs to the set of the 46 original Hummel figures.
The piece was sculpted by Arthur Möller, and it is available in 12/4/0 (3″), 12/2/0 (4″), 12 (6″), and 12/I (5.5″) versions. The rare edition of 1995 features a gilt base and was released in Germany only in an edition of 500 pieces.
- Estimated Value: $15 to $450 (by size and TMK)
- Production Years: 1935 to present
- What to Check: Size, gilded base variant
- Quick Notes: No Crown Mark 4-inch version exists
Hummel Figurines Value: 7 Things That Set the Price
Two figurines with the same name and design can vary by a factor of ten in price. The reason almost always comes down to a small handful of factors that experienced collectors check in a specific order. If you’re trying to value a piece, work through these from top to bottom.
- Trademark Era (TMK) – This is the biggest value driver. TMK-1 Crown Mark and TMK-2 Full Bee pieces command the highest premiums for the same mold and size because they predate the 1960s production. Common small designs stay inexpensive even in early marks, though.
- Mold Number (HUM number) – Some designs are more desirable than others. Look up the HUM number on a reference site to gauge baseline desirability before buying. Multi-figure compositions like Adventure Bound usually outprice single-figure pieces.
- Size Designator – For Hummels, bigger usually means more valuable, with jumbo /X versions of common designs reaching into the thousands of dollars. But there are exceptions. Certain rare small sizes, like discontinued miniatures, can be worth a lot if production was limited or short.
- Painter Signatures and Master Sculptor Initials – Pieces signed by master painters like Gunther Neubauer, Harald Baierl, or Gaby Forkel carry a small premium. The same goes for pieces with master sculptor initials from artists like Gerhard Skrobek visible on the base.
- Condition – Any chip, crack, or repaint can sharply lower a Hummel figurine’s value. Fine crazing in the glaze is normal on old pieces and comes with age, but on newer pieces it can be a sign of damage.
- Color Variations and Special Editions – Unusual cloak colors on the Madonna line, factory sample pieces marked with a red line around the base, “PFE” prototype stamps, Anniversary releases, and limited edition runs all boost value.
- Original Box and Paperwork – A piece with its original Goebel box, certificate of authenticity, and included paperwork generally adds to the value. This applies especially to 1980s and later pieces.
Where to Sell Hummel Figurines
Before you sell, write down the HUM number, size designator, and trademark of each piece. Then pick the right place for what you have:
- eBay: the simplest option for single figurines and small lots. Check sold listings for the same HUM number, size, and mark, and price against those sales rather than against asking prices.
- Specialist auction houses: the better choice for Crown Mark pieces, jumbo sizes, complete Nativity sets and other rare pieces. Blackwell Auctions, for example, regularly sells rare Hummels.
- Dealers and collectors: a large collection of common 1970s and 1980s pieces often sells faster as one lot, even though the price per figurine is lower.
Hummel figurines are common, especially the examples from the 1970s and 1980s. But the early marks, the jumbo sizes, the Internationals, and the multi-figure compositions can indicate a thousand-dollar piece. So, make sure to check the right signs before buying or selling your Hummel.
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