MI Hummel Factory Marks
MI Hummel History, TradeMarks, and Dating
The history behind Goebel’s M.I. Hummel figurines is short, and well-known by most porcelain collectors: Franz Goebel, of W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik, saw Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel’s artwork on a series of postcards and recognized an opportunity.
Goebel quickly signed an agreement to produce porcelain figurines based on her artwork, and introduced the first M.I. Hummel figurines in 1935. The rest is porcelain collector’s history.
What isn’t as well known is that it was the American G.I. and his base PX. (General Store), that really gave M.I. Hummel figurines their start.
Souvenirs from Germany
American G.I.’s stationed in Germany saw those cute porcelain figurines as the perfect souvenirs to send back home to moms and girlfriends. Their popularity with the soldiers soon caused the American base PX system to carry them as regular inventory. From this start, America became Goebel’s largest market for Hummel porcelain figurines.
Goebel and Hummel Factory Marks
*Note: The M.I. Hummel signature was stamped or incised on all pieces that were large enough to accommodate it, but for pieces that couldn’t, only the Goebel mark was used.
*Experienced Hummel collectors have noted that it is not unusual to find slight variations of these authentic trademarks.
Sister M.I Hummel Signature Mark
1934/35 — 1949/50
This signature mark was included on all Hummel pieces with enough base space. It was either incised as a signature, along with one of the other Crown Marks, or used as a backstamp in blue or black. As shown in Fig. 4 & 5
MI Hummel signature on Figurine base
Because of the small base area of most Hummel figurines, the absence of this signature is common, but authentic Hummels will always have one of the Goebel TMK marks on the bottom of the figurine.
See examples of M.I. Hummel signatures and marks currently being offered:
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Hummel TMK-1 through TMK-8 and Bee Marks
Goebel TMK-1 (CM) – The Crown Marks |
TMK-1 (CM) – The Crown Marks circa 1934/35 – 1949/50 Known as TMK-1, commonly referred to as; the Crown Mark, CM, or Crown-WG. The crown pays homage to the Imperial family, and the WG stands for William Goebel, founder of the company
These marks were used on all Goebel porcelain pieces, not just Hummel. When the size of the figurine base allowed, the M.I. Hummel backstamp was included with these marks. *The mark is sometimes found in an incised circle. |
TMK-2 The Bees Marks circa 1949/50 – 1959/60There were 12 variations of the Bee mark, either incised, backstamped, or in combination, (see Fig.12), and in blue or black, underglaze and overglazed. |
TMK-2 the Bees circa 1949/50 – 1959/60
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TMK-2 the Bees circa 1949/50 – 1959/60
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TMK-2 the Bees circa 1949/50 – 1959/60
See an example of this BEE trademark available right now, |
TMK-3 The Stylized Bee Marks circa 1959/60 – 1972 |
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TMK-4 The Three Line Mark circa 1963/64 – 1972 |
This Hummel mark is often referred to as the “3-line” or “3LM” mark and was always* backstamped in blue. |
TMK-5 “The Last Bee” circa 1972–1979 |
Developed and occasionally used as early as 1970, this major change is known by some collectors as the Last Bee mark because the next change in the trademark no longer incorporated any form of the V and the bee. |
TMK-6 “The Missing Bee” circa 1979–1991 |
The use of this trademark began in 1979. Goebel removed the V and bee from the mark altogether, which prompted the nickname; “the missing bee.” Along with this change, the company also began adding to the traditional artist’s mark with the date the artist finished painting the piece. But as with unpainted white overglaze pieces, it is not unusual to find Hummel pieces of this period without the date. |
TMK-7 The Hummel Mark circa 1990–1999 |
In 1991 Goebel historically changed the trademark again. Until that year, the same trademark was on virtually all Goebel products, but this Hummel mark, TMK-7, is for exclusive use on products made from the paintings and drawings of Sister M.I. Hummel. |
TMK-8 The “New” Hummel Mark circa 2000–current |
In 1999 collector feedback prompted Goebel to bring back the Bee. The new “Bee” mark, combined the iconic Hummel Bee and Goebel’s own mark. It debuted in 2000. |
Sister MI Hummel left behind a collection of her drawings for the continuation of the Hummel figurine line. Her convent, the Convent of Siessen, appointed an Artistic Board that had to approve all of the clay models and painted figures before Goebels could begin production of any new figurines.
Goebels officially ceased production of authentic Goebel Hummel figurines in 2008.
Another expansion of the Goebel Hummel line was the introduction of Hummel plates. Issued both in series and annual special issue pieces, Hummel plates quickly caught on with collectors and have become an integral part of many Hummel collections.
These “raised-relief” ceramics can be authenticated by makers’ markings similar to the ones used on the Hummel figurines.
Goebel Hummel Bells are another segment of Goebel Porcelain collectibles in the Hummel line, and like the plates, are issued in series and annual pieces.
See a selection of available M.I. Hummel marked pieces:
See Goebel/M.I. Hummel German Porcelain pieces for sale Now!