How to Find the True Value of Hummel Figurines
Goebel M.I. Hummel Porcelain Boy and Girl Figurines
Hummel is a name any porcelain collector recognizes, and M.I. Hummel figurines are some of the most widely collected in the porcelain figurines market. That fact, combined with the huge number of figurines manufactured by Goebels, (the company that produces Hummels), makes finding the value of any particular piece more of a real-time search than just flipping open a price guide to find out what your Hummels are worth.
Book Value vs. True Value
Finding the value of Hummel figurines depends mainly on three factors; rarity, condition, and desirability.” Which type of value you are looking for; book value, (suggested retail or estimates by knowledgeable collectors), or true value, (what someone has or will pay), also makes a difference.
Hummels are the artistic designs of Sister M.I. Hummel, recreated in three-dimensional fine German porcelain by the artists at Goebels. Although first released at a 1935 Leipzig Trade Fair, it was the American G.I. and his base PX that really started the American, and then international, popularity explosion of these figurines.
Hummels are not one-of-a-kind pieces. Many figurines were produced in up to three different sizes, (generally, the larger sizes are more valuable), and many were produced for multiple years. The first, or earliest year’s production is almost always the most valuable to collectors.
How to Identify Your Hummel Figurine
Hummel Figurine Base marks
You may know the name of your figurine, but since many figurines were produced over multiple years, and sometimes in multiple variations, (different modelers adding their own touch or update), the information you need to specifically identify your piece is on its base.
Some figurines can have as many as 5 or 6 different marks, numbers, dates, and initials, but the two, (or three if the date is inscribed), most important for identification are the mold number, (inscribed), and the stamped trademark. These two will confirm the name of your figurine. The example in the image also includes the inscribed production date. You can use this Hummel Marks and Trademark Dating Guide to find the production date of your figurines.
Hummel “Appletree Girl” #142 and “Appletree Boy” #141
Hummel Porcelain Appletree Girl and Appletree Boy Figurines
Hummel’s Apple Tree Girl and Boy figurines are good examples of value differences in size and production date. They are noted to be the most popular and searched-for figurine collector’s pieces. They were produced in various sizes ranging from 3.5″ up to 32,” and the most popular and frequently found, (and sold) is the 6-inch figurine.
In the example of the Appletree Girl #141 figurine, a 3.5″ figurine has a suggested retail price of $149.99, the 6″ size has a $390.00 suggested price, and the largest, the 32-inch size has a suggested price of $29,900.00. However, these are “Book” values. A deeper search is needed to find the True values.
For extreme value comparisons, that 32-inch Apple Tree Girl #141 with her “Book” value of $29,900 has a “sold” price of $4000.00. And that $390.00 6″ figurine has sold for as low as $5. That was not a typo. A TMK-5, (1972–1979 production), Apple Tree Girl sold on ebay for $5
To confuse you even more, here is an example where that same figurine; a 6" Apple Tree Girl #141, sold for $427.
Apple Tree Girl on Merccari |
As you can see, Hummel figurines have a wide range of real values. But, don't let that $5 Apple Tree Girl figurine discourage you, It was a late production; 1972--1979, (it has been manufactured since 1940), and it was an anomaly price because there was no box, it had some crazing on the base, and it had been repaired.
If you only want a Book or Estimated value, (not a True value it could be sold for), then Antique-HQ.com has put together a nice reference list that lets you find your figurine by mold number. Just click the image below to look at their price list.
Here are some comparisons on Amazon right now that you can compare to the price list:
Find the True value of your Hummel Figurines
When it comes to searching for the True Value of a figurine, what Hummels are worth, (what you might be able to sell it for), there is no better online marketplace to start with than ebay. Even antique shops and online collectibles sites check ebay for pricing information about individual pieces.
ebay has made a lot of changes in recent years, today's ebay is not the flea market of its early years. It has made great strides in matching the value and trustworthiness of Amazon.
It's as easy as visiting one ebay page
ebay auction and Buy-It-Now pages offer you the choice to see all completed listings that sold, not just the ones that are listed for sale now. That means you can visit the page below, (for Sold Hummel Figurines), enter your figurine information in the search box, and you will see all recent listings for your figurine -- and the price they sold for, which will give you a real-world true value range for your piece. Just be sure you are comparing the same date-specific figurines as yours.
Click the image to find your figurine value
*Remember to enter your figurine details in the top search box
ebay Hummel figurines value page
Available MI Hummel Figurines and Porcelains
Click any image to see the available pieces.
Looking for a special Goebel Hummel figurine or porcelain piece?
See what is available RIGHT NOW!
*Click and scroll to see more:
Retired Goebel Hummel Figurines | |
---|---|
|
M.I. Hummel Porcelain factory Marks and Trademarks:
Goebel has made numerous changes to their Hummel marks over the years.The figurines always include the M.I. Hummel signature, (unless they were too small), and/or the famous Bee & V.
Goebel and Hummel Trademarks and Dating
See ALL Hummel Porcelains on Amazon now!
plus Free Shipping!
You might also like:
Recommended for you: