M.I. Hummel porcelain figurines began to appear in the '30s and are based on the drawings of famous German Franciscan Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel. Hummel's illustrations first became popularized throughout Germany when they were featured on postcards. These postcards caught the attention of Franz Goebel, a porcelain maker. After acquiring the rights to Hummel's illustrations, he produced the first line of Hummel figurines in 1935.

At the end of World War II, the figurines achieved international success when American soldiers stationed in West Germany began sending figurines to families and friends in the United States. Their popularity grew even more when the U.S. Army PX system, a retail store found on all U.S. military bases, started selling them. The figurines are often associated with a sense of nostalgia.

The figurines skyrocketed in price during the '70s with demand from avid collectors and are still highly collectible today. In 1984, Rosemont, Illinois mayor Donald Stephens donated his collection to the Village of Rosemont museum. The Donald E. Stephens Museum of Hummels opened there in 2011 and houses the largest collection of Hummel figurines in the world.

Quick Facts

• Genuine Hummel figurines are made of porcelain and most have a V or a bee marking
• Though many books and price guides have been published, "The No. 1 Price Guide to M.I. Hummel" written by Robert L. Miller is regarded as the definitive price guide for Hummel figurines
• The Goebel Company in Germany halted production of Hummel figurines in 2008