Dating Hummels - A Guide to Hummel Backstamps

Hummelfigurines are highly sought after, with some pieces attracting very high prices. Condition and rarity will affect the value, however, so when buying a Hummel product look carefully for the two marks of its authenticity; the M I Hummel signature on the side of the base and the Goebel backstamp. Whether buying or selling Hummels on Ebay,it is to your benefit to understand the marking system used by the Goebel company on M I Hummel items. There are some excellent publications that give accurate and lengthy information about these highly collectible figurines, which includes current market prices, butthis guide is only intended as a general introduction to the Hummel Goebel trademarks to assist your trading on Ebay,.Trademark 1The crown markwas used on Hummels produced in 1935. The earliest figurines had this incised on the underside of the base, with the letters W G, which stood for William Goebel, one of the founders of the company intertwined beneath it. Occasionally the Crown Mark if found both incised and stamped and this is known as a double crown mark. Figurines also had M I Hummel incised on the side of the base. Trademark 2In 1950 the Goebel Company incorporated a Bee in a Vee, beginning with the incised Full Bee followed by the stamped Full Bee. These were followed by several variations, which attracted their own identification terminology,The High Bee - The Small Bee - The Baby Bee - The Vee Bee, but all are accepted as Trademark 2.Trademark 3In 1957 the Stylized Bee was introduced in 1957 and used until 1964.It came in two sizes, referred to as the Small or Large Stylized Bee. The Large Bee had the words W Germany placed to the right, while the Small Bee has these words underneath. In addition,the words West Germany occasionally appeared elsewhere on the base.