Summary
- • The most expensive Hummel figurine ever sold was 'Adventure Bound' for $71,200
- • 'Adventure Bound' was sold at Skinner Auctioneers in 2010
- • The second most expensive Hummel is 'The Merry Wanderer' sold for $50,000
- • 'The Merry Wanderer' was one of the first Hummel figurines produced
- • The 'Ring Around the Rosie' Hummel sold for $33,600
- • 'Ring Around the Rosie' is a large figurine measuring 10 inches in height
- • The 'International Collectors' figurine sold for $30,000
- • 'International Collectors' was a limited edition of only 25 pieces
- • The 'Puppy Love' Hummel sold for $22,000
- • 'Puppy Love' was created in 1958
- • The 'Little Fiddler' Hummel can fetch up to $17,500
- • 'Little Fiddler' was one of the original 16 Hummel figurines
- • The 'Retreat to Safety' Hummel sold for $13,000
- • 'Retreat to Safety' depicts children sheltering from rain
- • The 'Globe Trotter' Hummel can sell for up to $10,000
Move over diamonds, the Hummels are here to steal the show – and the price tag! From the eye-watering $71,200 Adventure Bound to the whimsical $6,000 Little Goat Herder, the world of Hummel figurines is a vibrant and lucrative one. Step inside as we unravel the top-dollar secrets behind these cherished collectibles, from limited editions to iconic designs that make every Hummel enthusiast swoon. Grab your magnifying glass and prepare to be dazzled by the rare gems of the Hummel universe. Who knew tiny figurines could pack such a punch in the world of luxury auctions?
Design Features
- 'Retreat to Safety' depicts children sheltering from rain
- 'Globe Trotter' features a boy sitting on a globe
- 'Surprise' depicts a girl peeking into a boy's basket
- 'School Boys' features two boys with books and an apple
- 'Little Goat Herder' features a boy with two goats
- 'Adventure Bound' features four children and a dog
- The 'International Collectors' Hummel features children from different countries
- The 'Puppy Love' Hummel depicts a girl hugging a dog
- The 'Little Fiddler' Hummel shows a boy playing a violin
- The 'Cinderella' Hummel depicts the fairy tale character with a broom
- The 'Merry Wanderer' Hummel depicts a boy with a backpack and walking stick
- The 'Ring Around the Rosie' Hummel features six children in a circle
Interpretation
In the world of Hummels, where porcelain figurines embody innocent charm and timeless nostalgia, the most expensive pieces are not just delicate decorations, but windows into a whimsical world where children and their furry friends take center stage. From the playful 'Adventure Bound' quartet to the culturally rich 'International Collectors', each figurine tells a story of childhood wonder and imagination. Whether it's a girl peeking into a boy's basket in 'Surprise' or a boy boldly sitting on a globe in 'Globe Trotter', these pricey porcelain treasures capture fleeting moments of joy and curiosity, reminding us to embrace the magic of youth in a world that sometimes forgets to pause and appreciate the simple pleasures of being young at heart.
Historical Significance
- 'The Merry Wanderer' was one of the first Hummel figurines produced
- 'Puppy Love' was created in 1958
- 'Little Fiddler' was one of the original 16 Hummel figurines
- The 'Merry Wanderer' was first produced in 1935
- The 'Full Bee' mark was used from 1950 to 1955
- The 'International Collectors' Hummel was created in 1986
- The most expensive Hummels are often from the earliest production years (1935-1949)
- The 'Merry Wanderer' design was based on a drawing by Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel
- The 'Adventure Bound' Hummel was designed by master sculptor Gerhard Skrobek
- The 'Ring Around the Rosie' Hummel was produced in 1950
- The 'Adventure Bound' Hummel was part of the Century Collection
- The 'Retreat to Safety' Hummel was designed by master sculptor Reinhold Unger
- The 'Globe Trotter' Hummel was first introduced in 1940
- The 'Surprise' Hummel was first produced in 1937
- The 'School Boys' Hummel was introduced in 1939
- The 'Little Goat Herder' Hummel was first produced in 1935
Interpretation
In the world of collecting Hummel figurines, it seems that age truly does bring wisdom and value. With iconic pieces like 'The Merry Wanderer' and 'Little Fiddler' dating back to the early years of production, it's no surprise that these treasures hold a special place in the hearts of collectors and fetch top dollar in the market. So next time you come across a vintage Hummel from the 1930s or 1940s, remember that you're not just holding a delicate figurine, but a piece of history lovingly crafted by artists like Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel and master sculptors Gerhard Skrobek and Reinhold Unger. These figurines may be small in stature, but their value and significance are anything but tiny.
Physical Characteristics
- 'Ring Around the Rosie' is a large figurine measuring 10 inches in height
- The 'Adventure Bound' Hummel is 17 inches tall
- The 'Merry Wanderer' Hummel is 5.5 inches tall
- The 'Puppy Love' Hummel measures 6.5 inches in height
- The 'Little Fiddler' Hummel is 4 inches tall
- The 'Globe Trotter' Hummel measures 5 inches in height
- The 'Surprise' Hummel is 4.5 inches tall
- The 'School Boys' Hummel measures 6 inches in height
- The 'Cinderella' Hummel is 5.5 inches tall
- The 'Little Goat Herder' Hummel measures 4.75 inches in height
- The most valuable Hummels are typically in perfect condition with no chips or repairs
Interpretation
In the whimsical world of Hummels, size truly doesn't matter when it comes to value. Standing tall at 17 inches, the 'Adventure Bound' Hummel might command attention, but it's the unassuming 4-inch 'Little Fiddler' that strikes a chord with collectors' hearts. In this miniature menagerie, the most prized pieces are not defined by their stature, but by their flawless condition, proving that sometimes the most treasured things come in small and perfect packages.
Rarity
- 'International Collectors' was a limited edition of only 25 pieces
- 'Cinderella' was produced for only one year in 1960
- The most valuable Hummels often have the 'Full Bee' mark
- Hummels with the 'Stylized Bee' mark (1955-1959) are also highly valued
- The 'Crown' mark (1935-1949) is found on the earliest and most valuable Hummels
- Hummels with rare color variations can be worth significantly more
- Limited edition Hummels typically have higher values
- Hummels with original boxes and paperwork are more valuable
- The most expensive Hummels often come from private collections
- Hummels with unusual glazes or color variations can be extremely valuable
- The 'Adventure Bound' Hummel was limited to 500 pieces worldwide
- The 'Merry Wanderer' Hummel with the earliest 'Crown' mark is the most valuable version
Interpretation
In the wide world of Hummels, it's a game of rarity, marks, and value. From the exclusive 'International Collectors' limited to just 25 pieces, to the Cinderella of 1960, each Hummel tells a story of scarcity and prestige. The 'Full Bee' and 'Stylized Bee' marks act as royal insignias, while the 'Crown' mark reigns supreme on the earliest and most coveted pieces. With limited editions and original boxes as their crowning jewels, Hummels elevate from mere collectibles to priceless treasures in the world of private collections. So, if you stumble upon a 'Merry Wanderer' with the legendary 'Crown' mark, you've struck Hummel gold. In this whimsical yet serious world, it pays to know your bees and colors, for in the land of Hummels, rarity rules.
Record Sales
- The most expensive Hummel figurine ever sold was 'Adventure Bound' for $71,200
- 'Adventure Bound' was sold at Skinner Auctioneers in 2010
- The second most expensive Hummel is 'The Merry Wanderer' sold for $50,000
- The 'Ring Around the Rosie' Hummel sold for $33,600
- The 'International Collectors' figurine sold for $30,000
- The 'Puppy Love' Hummel sold for $22,000
- The 'Little Fiddler' Hummel can fetch up to $17,500
- The 'Retreat to Safety' Hummel sold for $13,000
- The 'Globe Trotter' Hummel can sell for up to $10,000
- The 'Surprise' Hummel can fetch up to $9,000
- The 'School Boys' Hummel can sell for up to $8,500
- The 'Cinderella' Hummel can be worth up to $7,500
- The 'Little Goat Herder' Hummel can sell for up to $6,000
Interpretation
In the world of Hummel figurines, where tiny treasures command astronomical prices, it seems collectors are willing to pay more for 'Adventure Bound' than some people spend on a used car. This whimsical figurine must hold the secret to a truly epic journey or perhaps it's just the allure of a daring little explorer that captures the hearts of avid enthusiasts. As 'The Merry Wanderer' trails closely behind in the pricey race, one can't help but wonder if these delicate porcelain pieces whisper tales of far-off lands and endless adventures to those who dare to dream with open wallets. The moral of the story? In the realm of collectibles, even a petite porcelain puppy can command a princely sum, proving that when it comes to Hummels, size certainly doesn't matter when the bids start flying.
