Storing Hummel Figurines

Q: I want to leave my collection of Hummel figurines to my 14-year-old great-granddaughter. What should I wrap them in and how should I store them?

A: Hummel figurines are based on the drawings of the nun M.I. “Berta” Hummel. They were first made in 1935 by the W. Goebel Porcelain Co. of Oeslau (now part of Rodental), Germany. The figurines are made of earthenware. Parts that aren’t glazed will absorb moisture, so they need to be stored in a dry place. Don’t store them in the basement, which is often damp, or in the attic, where they would be subject to extreme temperature changes that could cause crazing. You can wrap the figurines in plain archival paper, white tissue paper or pieces of white bed sheets and pack them carefully in a box with bunches of tissue paper between them to prevent them from bumping each other when the box is moved. Don’t wrap them in newspaper. Newsprint comes off and may stain the figurines. Don’t wrap them in colored paper or plastic, either. The best way to store them is in their original boxes, if you still have them.