M.I. Hummel Trademarks Reference Guide
Welcome to The Prudent Collector where we are pleased to provide you with helpful information on how to date and authenticate your Hummel figurine based on the trademark backstamp. We also endeavor to help you find discount prices on Hummel collectibles.
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Hummel Trademarks Reference Guide - Date and Authenticate
Your Hummel Figurine
A Hummel figurine can be dated by the mark or trademark on the underside of its base. This mark is also referred to as the stamp or backstamp. This is very important as an earlier version of a figurine can be much more valuable than one which was made at a later date. It's also important from the standpoint of authenticating a Hummel figurine as a figurine lacking one of the following marks is almost certain to be a forgery.
The following marks are the standard backstamps you are most likely to see on the vast majority of Hummel figurines. However be aware that according to the M.I. Hummel company, sometimes rare and undocumented variations have been known to surface.
From the first Hummel figurine in 1935 until 1949 the following 3 trademarks were used. These are referred to as the Crown Marks and are Trademark 1 or TMK-1. The letters "WG" below the crown stand for William Goebel, the founder of the Goebel company.
After the end of World War II the United States permitted Goebel to export figurines which had previously been prohibited for exportation. These figurines were marked in various related ways: "Made In US Zone", "Made In US Zone - Germany", "US Zone - Germany", "US Zone", "Made in US Zone" and "Made in Germany". These stamps indicated that the figurines were produced in the occupied zone of Germany. All of these marks are considered to be of the same importance as TMK-1 crown marks by collectors.
From 1950 to 1955 the trademarks changed to designs incorporating a bee. These backstamps are TMK-2. These stamps are sometimes referred to as the Full Bee Mark by collectors.
Between 1956 and 1959 the trademark design was changed slightly each year. They still incorporated the bumblebee, albeit in a smaller size. These are also within the date range of TMK-2.
From 1960 to 1972 the trademarks changed to a different bumble bee design. These are referred to as the Stylized Bee Mark and signified the move to TMK-3.
Between 1964 and 1972 yet another variation was used - still incorporating the stylized bee but addng three lines of text. This mark is sometimes called the Three Line Mark and is TMK-4.
From 1972 to 1979 the mark was changed to the last and final mark to include the now famous bee. It is known as the Last Bee Mark - TMK-5.
From 1979 to 1990 the V as well as the bee were removed from the design. This mark is sometimes referred to as the Missing Bee Mark - TMK-6.
In 1990 the mark was revised to reflect the reunification of Germany. This trademark was used until 1999. It once again incorporated the famous crown and is TMK-7.
This is TMK-8 - the current trademark which has been in use since 2000. As you can see the famous Hummel bumblebee is back in prominent form!
When buying a Hummel figurine as an investment the authentication process is certainly important. We hope this guide on the dating and authenticating of your figurine proves helpful to you.
What you see below is a sampling of all the Hummel collectibles available on eBay - many rare and retired! If you don't see the Hummel figurine you're looking for search here for even more!
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