Saturday, 18 September 2010
Damaged Hummels - Buy Or Not Buy?
There has always been a debate amongst Hummel collectors as to whether it is wise or not to buy damaged hummels. In an ideal world every hummel we purchase would be in near mint condition and should have no chipping, flaking and minimal crazing, however every now and again we come across a piece that would compliment your existing collection but may have chipping or restoration (I'd rather choose a hummel with chips than one that has been poorly restored). My advice is that you should purchase such an item and keep hold of it until you find a suitable near mint replacement. Also keep an eye open for imperfect rare hummels of which there are many on ebay.
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Hummel Investing - Right or Wrong?
So Why Have Hummels Declined In Value?
The fact is that since the advent of on-line auctions such as ebay.co.uk, the price of collectables from Hummel, Lladro & Royal Doulton has declined significantly. The reason is due mainly to supply and demand economics. It has quite simply never been so easy for people to sell collectable merchandise and therefore a flooded market has greatly decreased the saleable value of your beloved Hummels. However don't despair as there has never been a better time to start collecting Hummels or indeed a better time to add to your exisiting collection. More importantly it is this collector's belief that the Hummel market will see a significant resurgance in the near future which will see your investments rise quite significantly.
The fact is that since the advent of on-line auctions such as ebay.co.uk, the price of collectables from Hummel, Lladro & Royal Doulton has declined significantly. The reason is due mainly to supply and demand economics. It has quite simply never been so easy for people to sell collectable merchandise and therefore a flooded market has greatly decreased the saleable value of your beloved Hummels. However don't despair as there has never been a better time to start collecting Hummels or indeed a better time to add to your exisiting collection. More importantly it is this collector's belief that the Hummel market will see a significant resurgance in the near future which will see your investments rise quite significantly.
Saturday, 28 August 2010
The Beginnings Of Hummel: The Goebels
In 1876, Franz Goebel started a porcelain firm near the town of Oeslauby, Germany. After several years of porcelain production in the factory, Franz's son, William expanded the Goebel product line and changed the company name to W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Convinced that the American market would assist sales, William developed a U.S. product line and sent his 16-year-old son, Max Louis, to America. By 1911, Max Louis Goebel returned to German to move the factory into the 20th century.
Goebel Finds Hummel
In the 1930s, Franz Goebel thought that in a world of political turmoil, customers would respond to a product that depicted the gentle innocence of childhood. The artwork of a Franciscan Sister and gifted artists trained at the Munich Academy, Maria Innocentia Hummel, was introduced to Mr. Goebel. The nun made drawings of country children that were printed as art cards which gained popularity.
Based on the artwork of Sister Hummel, Goebel wanted to produce a line of figurines. The artist was contacted at the Convent of Siessen and was shown clay models based on her drawings. Sister Hummel and the Convent of Siessen granted sole rights to Goebel to create ceramic figures based on her original artwork. Sister Hummel personally approved the sculpting and painting of each porcelain piece. It was determined that earthenware, pioneered by Goebel in the 1920s, was the proper medium for the new line.
About Sister Hummel
Maria Innocentia Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909. In 1927, she enrolled in Munich's famed Academy of Applied Arts and befriended two Franciscan Sisters from a teaching order that emphasized the arts. She decided to enter the Convent of Siessen upon graduation from art school in 1931, and by 1934, the young nun took the name Maria Innocentia replacing the name Bertha.
The members of the convent encouraged the Sister to pursue her artwork. Soon, small German publishers began printing her artwork in the form of postcards. These charming cards came to the attention of Franz Goebel, the head of the Goebel porcelain company.
The artist worked personally with Goebel's Master sculptors and painters to create the figurines. First introduced in 1935, the Hummel figurines were an immediate success. The relationship between Hummel and Goebel continued amicably until Sister Hummel's untimely death at 37 in 1946. Goebel carried on her artistic legacy with new Hummel pieces.
Hummel Signature And Markings
To determine if a figurine, plate, or bell is a genuine Hummel piece, there are definitive marks of identification that should be evident. The mark of Sister M. I. Hummel is incised on every piece. Sister Hummel requested that her personal stamp of approval would appear on every piece and under the direction of the members of the convent, approvals were made with care. All Hummels have a mold number which is a number that is incised on the bottom of each M. I. Hummel figurine at the factory. Another definitive identifier is the Goebel stamp on the underside of the figurine which is an official Goebel trademark. While the trademark has changed over the years, every authentic M. I. Hummel figurine will have a Goebel stamp on its underside. When any change in the backstamp had occurred, it has been a source of great excitement for M. I. Hummel collectors.
Values And Specific Figurines
Hummel figurines are highly sought after by collectors with several models valued at hundreds, even thousands, of pounds per piece. Pieces such as "For Father", "Globe Trotter", "Little Goat Herder", and "Going to Grandmas" are good examples of valuable collectibles. As with all collectibles, condition and rarity will affect value, but don't let anyone tell you that your Hummel figurine is not collectible or not valuable. Remember, someone who is interested in buying your Hummels for their collection or for resale in their store will most likely not provide an accurate appraised value. Why? They don't want to pay top dollar for a valuable Hummel!
Caring For Your Hummel
There's more to taking care of your Hummels than you think! The value of Hummel figurines never goes down, only up - so it is important to know how to preserve your keepsake. Read on to learn some interesting facts about preserving the value of Hummel figurines.
The Best Way To Clean Your Hummel:
Over time your Hummels will be come dirty. There are a few important things you should know about Hummel Figurines before you clean them.
M. I. Hummels are made of earthenware, a type of ceramic. Any part of the figurine not protected by a glaze is able to absorb moisture.
These Hummels are also created with an air hole. These holes are usually in a spot where you wouldn't notice. The reason for the hole is so gasses can escape during the firing process. If this hole was not there, the Hummel could be ruined.
The insides of the figurines are not glazed. If you put a figurine in water to clean it without covering the air hole, water can get inside. Once this happens, you will have moisture in the inside, which can gradually discolor the figurine. This discoloration process starts from the inside out and eventually the colors will start fading on the outside. So many people wonder why their Hummel's colors fade even though they keep it out of direct sunlight. Little do they know it was because of the way they were cleaning it!
If you cover the air hole, cleaning with water should not hurt it. I would still be careful about leaving it in water too long though. Just be sure to use a mild soap or shampoo or just wiping with a soft cloth will do it.
Important - A Hummel figurine can be as slippery as ice when coated with soap and water. Clean over a surface that would protect the Hummel just in case it should slip out of your hands.
How To Get Rid Of That Silvery Sheen:
Ever seen this? It looks like shiny spots and has a silvery look to it. No matter how hard you try, it cannot be removed! It's called oxidation. It's caused by re-oxidation of the metallic oxide paint used by Goebel artists to hand-paint the figurines. The oxidation can be caused by excessively damp storage or by wrapping the figurine in silk paper. How do you prevent this? Just make sure you store your Hummel in a dry cool place and avoid extreme temperature changes. Make sure they are wrapped in colorless foam or some sort of bubble wrap. But what if it's too late? What if your Hummel already has this silvery sheen? How do you get rid of it? Well, you'll be happy to know there is a cure! Professional refireing will restore the figurines to its original appearance.
My Hummel Looks Like It Has Spider Webs Growing On It:
Have you ever seen figurines that look like they have spider webs on them? This is usually a bigger problem than getting cracks or chips in your Hummel. Crazing is hairline cracks in the glaze on the Hummel. It doesn't hurt your Hummel, but it's not the prettiest thing to look at! To prevent crazing, keep your Hummel in an area where the temperature and humidity levels are fairly consistent. High humidity areas are not good because then we are back to the moisture problem, which can cause discoloration. Moving your Hummel from humid areas to dry areas back and forth will cause expansion and contraction and this is how the crazing begins.
How To Keep Your Hummel From Discolouring:
Try not to keep your Hummel in direct sunlight. If your Hummel is displayed in a windowsill, move it! Direct light over time will discolor your Hummel. Also, take care in cleaning your Hummel. Make sure you cover the little hole we talked about earlier.
How To Store Your Hummels:
A lot of people like to store fragile items in newspapers. But I can tell you that this is one big "no no" for Hummel Figurines! Why? The ink from the newspapers will start to blend with the colors on your Hummel. Don't get me wrong - this is something that can be fixed, but it's time consuming and not all that fun!
The best way to store your Hummel is to keep the box and the padding to protect it. Always store this way if you can. If you don't have the box anymore here's what you can do:
Wrap the figurine well in something like colorless foam or bubble wrap. Try to put it in it's own box if possible for the best protection. As I mentioned earlier, make sure that the Hummel will not be stored in an area where there are extreme temperature changes (crazing) or excessive humidity (discoloration).
Make sure when you are purchasing a Hummel from a retailer that it is coming from a secured cabinet. Retailers that care about their Hummels will keep them stored this way to prevent damage from customers constantly picking them up. How would you know if the Hummel you are buying does not already have moisture build up or damage on the inside? You probably wouldn't. But making sure it is coming from a reputable retailer that takes care in displaying his merchandise will give you peace of mind. After all, Hummels don't come cheap!
In 1876, Franz Goebel started a porcelain firm near the town of Oeslauby, Germany. After several years of porcelain production in the factory, Franz's son, William expanded the Goebel product line and changed the company name to W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik. Convinced that the American market would assist sales, William developed a U.S. product line and sent his 16-year-old son, Max Louis, to America. By 1911, Max Louis Goebel returned to German to move the factory into the 20th century.
Goebel Finds Hummel
In the 1930s, Franz Goebel thought that in a world of political turmoil, customers would respond to a product that depicted the gentle innocence of childhood. The artwork of a Franciscan Sister and gifted artists trained at the Munich Academy, Maria Innocentia Hummel, was introduced to Mr. Goebel. The nun made drawings of country children that were printed as art cards which gained popularity.
Based on the artwork of Sister Hummel, Goebel wanted to produce a line of figurines. The artist was contacted at the Convent of Siessen and was shown clay models based on her drawings. Sister Hummel and the Convent of Siessen granted sole rights to Goebel to create ceramic figures based on her original artwork. Sister Hummel personally approved the sculpting and painting of each porcelain piece. It was determined that earthenware, pioneered by Goebel in the 1920s, was the proper medium for the new line.
About Sister Hummel
Maria Innocentia Hummel was born in Bavaria in 1909. In 1927, she enrolled in Munich's famed Academy of Applied Arts and befriended two Franciscan Sisters from a teaching order that emphasized the arts. She decided to enter the Convent of Siessen upon graduation from art school in 1931, and by 1934, the young nun took the name Maria Innocentia replacing the name Bertha.
The members of the convent encouraged the Sister to pursue her artwork. Soon, small German publishers began printing her artwork in the form of postcards. These charming cards came to the attention of Franz Goebel, the head of the Goebel porcelain company.
The artist worked personally with Goebel's Master sculptors and painters to create the figurines. First introduced in 1935, the Hummel figurines were an immediate success. The relationship between Hummel and Goebel continued amicably until Sister Hummel's untimely death at 37 in 1946. Goebel carried on her artistic legacy with new Hummel pieces.
Hummel Signature And Markings
To determine if a figurine, plate, or bell is a genuine Hummel piece, there are definitive marks of identification that should be evident. The mark of Sister M. I. Hummel is incised on every piece. Sister Hummel requested that her personal stamp of approval would appear on every piece and under the direction of the members of the convent, approvals were made with care. All Hummels have a mold number which is a number that is incised on the bottom of each M. I. Hummel figurine at the factory. Another definitive identifier is the Goebel stamp on the underside of the figurine which is an official Goebel trademark. While the trademark has changed over the years, every authentic M. I. Hummel figurine will have a Goebel stamp on its underside. When any change in the backstamp had occurred, it has been a source of great excitement for M. I. Hummel collectors.
Values And Specific Figurines
Hummel figurines are highly sought after by collectors with several models valued at hundreds, even thousands, of pounds per piece. Pieces such as "For Father", "Globe Trotter", "Little Goat Herder", and "Going to Grandmas" are good examples of valuable collectibles. As with all collectibles, condition and rarity will affect value, but don't let anyone tell you that your Hummel figurine is not collectible or not valuable. Remember, someone who is interested in buying your Hummels for their collection or for resale in their store will most likely not provide an accurate appraised value. Why? They don't want to pay top dollar for a valuable Hummel!
Caring For Your Hummel
There's more to taking care of your Hummels than you think! The value of Hummel figurines never goes down, only up - so it is important to know how to preserve your keepsake. Read on to learn some interesting facts about preserving the value of Hummel figurines.
The Best Way To Clean Your Hummel:
Over time your Hummels will be come dirty. There are a few important things you should know about Hummel Figurines before you clean them.
M. I. Hummels are made of earthenware, a type of ceramic. Any part of the figurine not protected by a glaze is able to absorb moisture.
These Hummels are also created with an air hole. These holes are usually in a spot where you wouldn't notice. The reason for the hole is so gasses can escape during the firing process. If this hole was not there, the Hummel could be ruined.
The insides of the figurines are not glazed. If you put a figurine in water to clean it without covering the air hole, water can get inside. Once this happens, you will have moisture in the inside, which can gradually discolor the figurine. This discoloration process starts from the inside out and eventually the colors will start fading on the outside. So many people wonder why their Hummel's colors fade even though they keep it out of direct sunlight. Little do they know it was because of the way they were cleaning it!
If you cover the air hole, cleaning with water should not hurt it. I would still be careful about leaving it in water too long though. Just be sure to use a mild soap or shampoo or just wiping with a soft cloth will do it.
Important - A Hummel figurine can be as slippery as ice when coated with soap and water. Clean over a surface that would protect the Hummel just in case it should slip out of your hands.
How To Get Rid Of That Silvery Sheen:
Ever seen this? It looks like shiny spots and has a silvery look to it. No matter how hard you try, it cannot be removed! It's called oxidation. It's caused by re-oxidation of the metallic oxide paint used by Goebel artists to hand-paint the figurines. The oxidation can be caused by excessively damp storage or by wrapping the figurine in silk paper. How do you prevent this? Just make sure you store your Hummel in a dry cool place and avoid extreme temperature changes. Make sure they are wrapped in colorless foam or some sort of bubble wrap. But what if it's too late? What if your Hummel already has this silvery sheen? How do you get rid of it? Well, you'll be happy to know there is a cure! Professional refireing will restore the figurines to its original appearance.
My Hummel Looks Like It Has Spider Webs Growing On It:
Have you ever seen figurines that look like they have spider webs on them? This is usually a bigger problem than getting cracks or chips in your Hummel. Crazing is hairline cracks in the glaze on the Hummel. It doesn't hurt your Hummel, but it's not the prettiest thing to look at! To prevent crazing, keep your Hummel in an area where the temperature and humidity levels are fairly consistent. High humidity areas are not good because then we are back to the moisture problem, which can cause discoloration. Moving your Hummel from humid areas to dry areas back and forth will cause expansion and contraction and this is how the crazing begins.
How To Keep Your Hummel From Discolouring:
Try not to keep your Hummel in direct sunlight. If your Hummel is displayed in a windowsill, move it! Direct light over time will discolor your Hummel. Also, take care in cleaning your Hummel. Make sure you cover the little hole we talked about earlier.
How To Store Your Hummels:
A lot of people like to store fragile items in newspapers. But I can tell you that this is one big "no no" for Hummel Figurines! Why? The ink from the newspapers will start to blend with the colors on your Hummel. Don't get me wrong - this is something that can be fixed, but it's time consuming and not all that fun!
The best way to store your Hummel is to keep the box and the padding to protect it. Always store this way if you can. If you don't have the box anymore here's what you can do:
Wrap the figurine well in something like colorless foam or bubble wrap. Try to put it in it's own box if possible for the best protection. As I mentioned earlier, make sure that the Hummel will not be stored in an area where there are extreme temperature changes (crazing) or excessive humidity (discoloration).
Make sure when you are purchasing a Hummel from a retailer that it is coming from a secured cabinet. Retailers that care about their Hummels will keep them stored this way to prevent damage from customers constantly picking them up. How would you know if the Hummel you are buying does not already have moisture build up or damage on the inside? You probably wouldn't. But making sure it is coming from a reputable retailer that takes care in displaying his merchandise will give you peace of mind. After all, Hummels don't come cheap!
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