c. 1935–1950
W. Goebel, used on M. I. Hummel figurines
Crown over interlaced WG precedes the bee-with-V families.
Identification guide
Hummel date marks
Among Hummel date marks, the base can carry a trademark, an incised M. I. Hummel signature, a model number and a copyright year.
Trademark versus model and copyright
The base can carry a trademark, an incised M. I. Hummel signature, a model number and a copyright year. Only the trademark sequence gives the TMK period; a copyright year relates to the design.
Trademark periods for comparison
| TMK | Main device | Period |
|---|---|---|
| TMK 1 | Crown with WG initials | 1935–1949 |
| TMK 2 | Full bee with V | 1950–1959 |
| TMK 3 | Stylised bee | 1960–1972 |
| TMK 5 | Last-bee trademark | 1972–1979 |
What to check next
Record the complete base. Transitional pieces can bear two trademark forms from different stages of making and decoration. Keep a moulded model number and any copyright date separate from the trademark-period reading.
Related marks
20 marks
c. 1950–1959
W. Goebel, used on M. I. Hummel figurines
Bee is drawn as an insect, unlike the angular stylized versions.
c. 1972–1979
W. Goebel, used on M. I. Hummel figurines
Company name is prominent and retains the V-and-bee between upper letter strokes.
c. 1979–1991
W. Goebel, used on M. I. Hummel figurines
Absence of the bee distinguishes this from the preceding 1972 wordmark.
c. 1960–1963
W. Goebel, used on M. I. Hummel figurines
Country wording sits to the right of the V, distinguishing this large layout from small stylized-bee and three-line versions.
