M. I. Hummel Figurines became a reality in Germany on January 9th, 1935. This is the date that Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel signed an agreement with the renowned porcelain firm, W. Goebel Porzellanfahrik, giving Goebel permission to transform Sister Hummel’s drawings into M. I. Hummel figurines. This agreement with the supervision of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel gave Goebel the sole rights to manufacture and distribute the figurines that bear the M. I. Hummel name. This date has since been considered the official birthday of M. I. Hummel figurines.
The M. I. Hummel figurines were first introduced into the market place at the 1935 Leipzig Spring Fair. At the Fair, the most important buyers in Europe were able to see the quality of the M. I. Hummel figurines. The figurines attracted the attention of the buyers and the interest in M. I. Hummel figurines grew quickly.
During World War II, the M. I. Hummel figurine production was restricted. Once the war ended, the M. I. Hummel figurines again appeared in the shops throughout Germany. The popularity of the M. I. Hummel figurines grew not only in Germany but also with the American G. I’s stationed in Germany during the war.
After Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel’s death in 1946 at the age of 37, an Artistic Board was appointed at the Convent of Siessen as guardians of the legacy of Sister Hummel. Sister Hummel left the world a collection of her drawings that Goebel uses today to produce new M. I. Hummel figurines. The Convent of Siessen and Goebel work together to insure that the authenticity and decoration that Sister Hummel insisted on is still produce in the M. I. Hummel figurines. Today, M.I. Hummel figurines are the world's most beloved collectible, a tribute to the spirit of childhood and the talent of a brilliant artist. After 70 years of collectible traditon, many collectors are still adding to their collection of M. I. Hummel Figurines.
