When Hummels debuted in 1935, the candy little porcelain collectible figurines of rosy-cheeked kids instantly charmed the general public.
Ninety years later, Hummels are nonetheless beloved additions to properties and coveted by thousands and thousands of collectors worldwide. Whereas modestly priced Hummels dominate immediately’s market, some uncommon and limited-edition collectible figurines can promote for hundreds of {dollars}.
FACTORS THAT AFFECT HUMMEL VALUES
Hummels have been created by Sister Maria Innocentia (born Berta Hummel), a German Franciscan nun and prolific artist. The primary collectible figurines based mostly on her work have been produced by Goebel Porcelain and debuted on the Commerce Truthful in Leipzig, Germany, in 1935. A whole bunch of collectible figurines and variations have been made since then and depict cherubic Bavarian kids climbing bushes, enjoying music, studying books, setting off on adventures, doing each day duties, and different issues.
Most Hummels promote immediately between $10 to $25, primarily due to what number of have been produced to maintain up with their demand throughout the mid-century. However sure collectible figurines, particularly uncommon and limited-edition examples, can obtain spectacular costs. Elements that may affect worth embody:
Logos (TMK): Logos, defined on this Dictionary entry and proven right here, point out the 12 months a Hummel was created. Older collectible figurines typically have marks/stamps inscribed on the bottom. Basically, the older a Hummel’s trademark, the upper its worth.
Mould numbers: The underside of every figurine has numbers to determine the particular character it depicts. Figurine numbers now not in manufacturing are sometimes extra invaluable.
Dimension: Hummels vary from round 3 inches to roughly 32 inches; greater collectible figurines are often price extra.
Rarity: Some Hummels have been manufactured for many years, whereas others have been made in restricted portions or a part of a particular sequence, making them rarer and extra invaluable. Additionally uncommon and extremely valued are Hummels depicting adults made as samples however not authorized for manufacturing, like this previous man and previous lady.
With sure collectible figurines price hundreds of {dollars} on the secondary market, it’s additionally vital to learn to spot fakes.
5 OF THE MOST VALUABLE HUMMELS
Whereas costs recorded within the final three years present that almost all of collectible figurines have bought between $10 and $50, there have been some standouts, together with a particularly uncommon Disney model of Land in Sight that bought for $4,999 in 2024, a limited-edition Sister’s Kids that bought for $3,999 in 2022, and a limited-edition Grandmother’s Treasure that introduced $3,500 in 2022.
The demand and recognition of sure collectible figurines may have an effect on values. Under are 5 Hummels which have bought for the best costs essentially the most over the previous three years, so be looking out for them whereas out thrifting.
APPLE TREE BOY/APPLE TREE GIRL, UP TO $19,000
These early collectible figurines have been first made in 1940 and have a sweet-faced woman (#141) and a boy (#142) perched in an apple tree. Although made as separate items, they’re typically bought as a set. These are among the many hottest and invaluable Hummels, costs for which differ relying on the dimensions. Each collectible figurines have been made in several heights: 3-1/2 and 6 inches, 10-1/4 and 11 inches, and 30 to 32 inches. The most important variations, marked “142/X,” are uncommon and value extra.
Although most of those Hummels have bought for between $10 and $100 over the previous three years, many have been purchased for among the highest costs recorded within the database, with units going for as excessive as $3,000 and particular person jumbo sizes as excessive as $19,000.
The highest three highest-selling collectible figurines within the final three years are a 32-inch Apple Tree Boy that bought for $19,000 in 2024; a 32-inch Apple Tree Woman that bought for $4,900 in 2023; and a 30-inch Apple Tree Boy that fetched $3,999 in 2023.
MADONNA HOLDING CHILD, UP TO $7,999
Initially referred to as Madonna with the Blue Cloak, Madonna Holding Little one (#151) was first made in 1942 and depicts Mary holding Jesus, a toddler slightly than an toddler. It has been produced in several colour variations: darkish blue cloak, pastel blue cloak, brown cloak, an ivory end, white overglaze, and a uncommon green-cloak model.
Over the previous three years, most of those collectible figurines have bought between $50 and $300, however some examples have commanded rather more, together with the highest three highest sellers: uncommon brown-cloaked and green-cloaked collectible figurines that every bought in 2024 for $7,999.95 and a brown-cloaked Madonna that bought for $800 in 2022.
INTERNATIONAL HUMMELS, UP TO $7,500
Different Hummels which might be fashionable with collectors are the Worldwide sequence of collectible figurines that debuted within the Nineteen Forties. These examples, with mould numbers between 800 and 900, are dressed within the conventional clothes of their international locations, like Bulgaria, Hungary, and Serbia.
Whereas most Worldwide Hummels have bought between $10 and $25 over the previous three years, greater than forty collectible figurines have bought for hundreds, together with the highest three: a Swedish Woman for $7,500 in 2025, a Bulgarian Woman for $2,750 in 202, and a Bulgarian Boy for $2,395 in 2023.
UMBRELLA BOY/UMBRELLA GIRL, UP TO $4,000
These collectible figurines, shielding themselves from the rain with large umbrellas, have been first made within the Nineteen Forties—Umbrella Boy (#152A) in 1942 and his companion piece, Umbrella Woman (#152B) in 1949. Although produced as separate collectible figurines, they’re typically bought as pairs. The unique variations are round 5 inches excessive, whereas bigger 8-inch sizes have been made later and customarily carry a better worth.
Most of those Hummels have bought individually within the $50 to $200 vary, however collectors have been prepared to pay rather more for pairs—nearly 30 pairs have bought between $500 and $950—and huge Umbrella Boy collectible figurines. Massive-size Umbrella Boy Hummels are an excellent instance of how rarity can typically enhance the worth. They’ve been the highest three highest sellers: one, which bought for $4,000 in 2024, has an previous model of the incised 152 and likewise a TMK-1 mark indicating it was produced within the Nineteen Forties, each elements of which doubtless drove it to this worth; one other one bought for $3,400 in 2024, and one for $1,100 in 2022.
MERRY WANDERER, UP TO $2,999
With an umbrella slung over a shoulder and a journey bag within the different hand as he resolutely marches on towards some journey, the Merry Wanderer (#7), an early design from 1935, is without doubt one of the most iconic Hummel collectible figurines and essential for any assortment.
This Hummell has been made in numerous variations and sizes, from round 5 inches to 32 inches. Whereas most of those collectible figurines have bought up to now three years between $10 and $25, bigger sizes and different uncommon examples have introduced hundreds, together with the highest three highest sellers: this figurine and this one, each 31 inches, bought in 2023 for $2,999 every, and a white porcelain instance bought for $$1,999 in 2023. Many within the 10- to 12-inch vary have bought between $300 and $1,700.
Even when most Hummels are price $50 or much less, this doesn’t dampen collectors’ enthusiasm for these lovely collectible figurines, which can absolutely be treasured for years to return.
Adina Okay. Francis has been a author and editor within the antiques and collectibles discipline for greater than twenty years. She has a little bit of an obsession with the Victorians and thinks that canines are considered one of life’s best items.
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