Hummel & Goebel

Q: What is the difference between Hummel and Goebel figures?

A: In 1871 Franz Detleff Goebel and his son, William, founded F. & W. Goebel in Oeslau (now Rodental), Germany, to make slates, slate pencils, and toy marbles. By the early 1900s, Franz had retired, William was in charge, the company was called W. Goebel Porzellanfabrik, and the factory was making quality porcelain tableware items and figurines. In 1934, grandson Franz Goebel saw the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel (Berta Hummel, 1909-1946) and got permission to model porcelain figures based on her artwork. The first Hummel figurines were born in 1935. Goebel made Hummels until 2008, and another company now makes them. But Goebel is still in business and makes many types of porcelain figurines and gift wares. Bottom line: Hummel figurines made between 1935 and 2008 are by Goebel, but not all items marked Goebel are Hummels.