Hummel figurines, based on the drawings of the nun M.I. Hummel (Berta Hummel) were made by the W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik of Oeslau, Germany, now Rodental, Germany. They were first made in 1935. The Crown mark was used from 1935 to 1949. The company added the bee marks in 1950. The full bee with variations, was used from 1950 to 1959; stylized bee, 1957 to 1972; three line mark, 1964 to 1972; last bee, sometimes called vee over gee, 1972 to 1979. In 1979 the V bee symbol was removed from the mark.U.S. Zone was part of the mark from 1946 to 1948; W. Germany was part of the mark from 1960 to 1990. The Goebel, W. Germany mark, called the missing bee mark, was used from 1979 to 1990; Goebel, Germany, with the crown and WG, originally called the new mark, was used from 1991 through part of 1999. The newest version of the bee mark with the word Goebel, the current mark or Goebel with full bee, was adopted in 2000. A special Year 2000 backstamp was also introduced. Porcelain figures inspired by Berta Hummel’s drawings were introduced in 1997. These are marked BH followed by a number. They were made in the Far East, not Germany. Goebel discontinued making Hummel figurines in 2008, but they continue to be made by Manufaktur Rodental GmbH. The Hummel figurines have a trademark starting in 2008 and that pictures a yellow-and-black bee on the edge of an oval with the words Original M.J. Hummel Germany. Other decorative items and plates that feature Hummel drawings have been made by Schmid Brothers, Inc., since 1971.
