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The Differences of Hummel Markings

Hummel collectibles capture hearts across the world. Creator Berta Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909 and died at age 37 as Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. A postcard made from the young artist's work caught the attention of porcelain tradesman Franz Goebel, who launched the first Hummel figurines in 1935. Today, artists still obtain approval for each Hummel creation through the Convent of Siessen, where Sister Maria Innocentia studied.

Signature
- Sister Maria Innocentia's signature typically appears as "M.I. Hummel" on the base of every Hummel collectible, according to the Collectors Dream website. Collectors should look for the signature on the bottom or the vertical edge of the base, advises the Online Collectibles site. The only exception is when an item does not include a base or the Hummel item is too small to afford appropriate space for a signature. The signature is important because Sister Maria Innocentia's agreement with the Goebel company stipulated that all her artwork bear her personal stamp of approval. This includes figures, plates and bells. This classic inscription continues today as a crucial mark of authenticity, more than 70 years after Hummels were introduced to the world.
Crowns
- Goebel placed its trademark crown logo on all Hummels, and the design changed every few years. From 1935 through 1991, Goebel placed the same markings on all its work, not just the Hummels, says the Online Collectibles website. The Goebel marking typically was a variation of the initials "WG" --- which stood for founder William Goebel --- and a crown. Or, sometimes the word "Goebel" appeared instead of the initials. When dealers talk about a double crown mark, they refer to two trademarks appearing on one figurine --- one crown marking is incised and the other is stamped. In 1991, the company introduced a special Goebel imprint used exclusively on M.I. Hummel collectibles. That new trademark carried the words "Goebel" and "Germany" --- the word "West" was dropped after the reunification of Germany.
Bees
- Goebel introduced bee marks in 1950, several years after Berta Hummel died. Her childhood nickname derived from the word bumblebee. Goebel's bee marking depicted a bumblebee inside the letter "V," which stood for the German term for the distributor, "Verkaufsgesellschaft." Twelve different bee markings were used on Hummel pieces. Some markings show a larger bee versus a tinier version, while other notations place the bee higher or lower inside the letter "V." Goebel discontinued the bumblebee tradition in 1980, which dealers and collectors call the Era of the Missing Bee Mark, says the Online Collectibles website. Changes to the crown or bumblebee markings stir as much excitement among fans as the release of new Hummels, according to the online article "Shop Hummel: Marks of Authenticity."

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