Hummel Collectibles FAQ: Christmas Figurines, Glass Pieces, and the Avon Nativity Set

If you're buying Hummel for a gift shop, a corporate collection, or just starting out, you probably have the same questions I had when I first took over purchasing (back in 2020—yikes, that feels like a lifetime ago). Stuff like: How do I know if it's real? What's actually rare? And seriously, how many pieces are in that Avon nativity set everyone keeps asking about?

I've managed orders for about 400 employees across three locations, and in the last five years, I've run through maybe 150+ collectible orders. Not everything went smoothly—I made some dumb mistakes (more on that below). Here are the answers I wish I'd had from the start.

FAQ: Your Hummel Questions, Answered

1. How can I tell if a Hummel figurine is authentic?

Short answer: check the markings. Genuine M.I. Hummel pieces made by Goebel (the original manufacturer) have a distinct backstamp. You'll see the Goebel trademark, often a bee, a crown, or the full name 'M.I. Hummel.' The mark changed over time—early 20th-century pieces look different from 1990s ones. A good Hummel price guide (I use the annual one from Collector's Books) has photos of every mark. If the stamp looks fuzzy, misaligned, or just 'off,' that's a red flag. Also, authentic pieces have a high-gloss glaze, but it's not perfect—look for tiny bubbles in the glaze (that's normal in porcelain). Everything I'd read said 'buy from a trusted dealer,' and in practice, that's the best advice. But I'd add: learn to spot the modern fakes from China. They're passable from a distance, but the glaze is too uniform.

2. Which Hummel figurines are the most valuable or rare?

This is the question I get the most. The 'Holy Grail' pieces—like the 'Merry Wanderer' (sold for over $5,000 at auction) or 'Little Fiddler'—are rare because of production errors or limited runs. But for most collectors, the truly rare stuff is from the 1930s–1950s, when Goebel was hand-painting. A piece like the 'Little Helper' from the 1950s might be worth $2,000 in mint condition, while a 1990s reissue sells for $150. Also, look for crystal Hummel figurines (like the 'Crystal' line from the 1980s); they're less common than porcelain and can fetch a premium. The conventional wisdom is 'older is always more expensive,' but my experience with 200+ orders suggests that condition and origin (hand-painted vs. later production) matter more than age alone. That '1960s figurine with a chip? Not worth much.

3. Are Hummel glass figurines different from porcelain ones?

Yes, and it's a common point of confusion. Hummel produced both porcelain (the classic figurines) and glass figurines (usually clear or frosted crystal). The glass pieces—like the 'Christmas Ornament' series or 'Crystal Nativity'—are from the 1970s onward. They're lovely, but they chip more easily, and they're generally less valuable than porcelain. If you're buying for a corporate gift, crystal ornaments (like the Hummel Christmas figurines in crystal) are a hit because they're festive. But for a collector, the porcelain is where the investment sits. I've seen people pay $500 for a glass figurine they thought was the rare edition—it's not, check the mark. (Ugh, I learned that mistake myself in 2022.)

4. How do I care for old Hummel figurines without damaging them?

Be gentle. I ruined a 'Girl with Doll' in 2023 because I cleaned it with a damp cloth (the cotton stuck to the clay base and left a smear). Here's what I do now: gently dust with a soft, dry brush. For deeper cleaning, use a microfiber cloth slightly damp with distilled water—don't soak. Avoid soap, which can dull the glaze. Store them out of direct sunlight; UV light can fade the paint, especially on older pieces. Also, don't stack them. I had a colleague who put three Christmas plates on top of each other, and the bottom one cracked. (You'd think common sense would prevent that, right?)

5. How many pieces are in the Avon nativity set? (Yes, it's a real question)

Okay, I get this one a lot—because Avon made a Hummel nativity set in the 1970s. The answer: 17 pieces. Specifically: the Holy Family (3), the Three Kings (3), an angel, a shepherd, a donkey, a cow, a sheep, a star, a stable backdrop, and a few optional pieces (like a small child). Some variations exist (the 1978 version had 15), but the standard is 17. I want to say Avon also issued a small music box version, which includes an additional piece, but don't quote me on that—I'm mixing it up with the 1979 set. Anyway, if someone asks, that's the number. And yes, the set is collectible but not super rare. Mint condition with all pieces? Maybe $300–$500. Missing the star? Value drops fast.

6. What's the difference between a rare Hummel and one that just looks rare?

This is the trap. A figurine that's 'limited edition' with a paper certificate? That's not automatically rare. Real rarity is about low production numbers, mint condition, and (crucially) provenance. I bought a 'Flower Madonna' once that was supposedly a limited run of 500. Turns out, it was a later reissue with a fake certificate (the paper was thicker than originals). Cost me $1,200, and I still kick myself for not checking the Goebel archives. Authentic rare pieces have recorded production numbers (Goebel kept some records). If you can't trace it back, assume it's a common piece made to look rare. The upside was a lesson learned: trust the mark, not the story.

7. How do I buy Hummel without getting ripped off?

I've been burned twice (now I verify before paying). My rule: always request detailed photos of the backstamp and any damage. If a seller says 'no returns' on a $2,000 figurine, that's a risk I calculate: worst case, I lose $2,000. Best case, it's a bargain. The expected value said go for it? Not worth it—I've learned to walk away. Also, use a Hummel price guide (the one from Miller's is decent) and check recent auction results (LiveAuctioneers or eBay sold listings). If the price is way below market, there's a catch. And never pay via wire transfer. Use a credit card so you can dispute. The most frustrating part of this? You'd think reputable dealers would be honest, but some are not. I had a vendor in 2024 who insisted a piece was 'Mint in Box,' but the box was from a different figurine. After the third misrepresentation from the same vendor, I was ready to blacklist them entirely. What finally helped was finding a specialized Hummel collector group on Facebook—the members know which dealers to trust.