Last Year for M.I. Hummel Manufacturing
Hummel figurines and drawings have charmed collectors of all ages all over the world. Goebel, the manufacturer of Hummels, announced that 2008 would be the last year for production. I blame all the cheap knock-offs that flooded the market. Perhaps Goebel should’ve been more diligent in shuttering such operations.
I’m not a huge collector, but I’ve always loved the charming children. My mother has had a chimney sweep figurine for as long as I can remember. Chimney sweeps symbols, mom says, are good luck. 
This is a cross stitch pillow done quite sometime ago. I’ve never put it out — it’s been wrapped in plastic and stashed in the closet, because I’m afraid someone will actually use it and get it dirty I estimate that there are about 62 hours invested in it, start to finish.
I estimate that there are about 62 hours invested in it, start to finish.
Not sure if the camera picked it up enough for you to see, but the face has 5 different colors to get the great shading and detail.
I couldn’t help, even then, thinking of the nun who started the phenomenon with her simple drawings as her well-known signature was stitched into place as the final touch.
This article on Deutsche-Welle { I read international news on DW and on Der Spiegel – because I’m a bit weird. } has a brief history if you’re interested in a bit of trivia and the history of Hummels.
If you’re a collector, you may want to look into acquiring a few 2008 pieces. I can’t say whether any pieces will increase in value. It seems the older ones have lost value over the last decade or so, too.
Please take advantage if you ever have the opportunity to examine pieces from World War II that soldiers brought back for their sweethearts. They are just incredibly detailed.
That’s too bad about the Hummels, my grandma always had them around; my grandfather sold them in his gift shop. They sell them on QVC, too, I wonder if they will stop making the figurines for them. They are classics.
Inis,
Please contact me via email. I can't find your email address & I wanted to write something private.
e_bogardus@hotmail.com
Elizabeth
Very interesting. My MIL had several hummel’s and I recently inherited them all. Some are quite old. Right now they are in a box, waiting for just the right place to display.
Love the pillow.
Margo
My grandmother had a ton of Hummels and I always think of her when I see one.