Press Room Shopping Cart Login Craftsmanship Marks Glossary Appraising Cleaning Repairs Home > Member's Lounge > Studio > Marks Marks Collectors and admirers all over the globe agree that the artistry and quality of authentic M.I.Hummel products are beyond compare. Only genuine M.I.Hummel figurines are created according to the strict quality control procedures established by Goebel and Sister Hummel back in the 1930's. THE SIGNATURE To determine if a figurine, plate or bell is a genuine M.I.Hummel piece, there are definitive marks of identification. The first is the signature of Sister M.I.Hummel incised on the base of most every piece. When Sister Hummel made her historic contract with Franz Goebel, it was agreed that her signature, her personal stamp of approval, would appear on every piece. It does so, to this day. The only exception appears on figurines without bases or any adequate surface to display the signature. THE GOEBEL BACKSTAMP The other definitive identifier is the Goebel stamp on the underside of the figurine -- the official Goebel trademark. Though the look of the trademark has varied since 1935, every authentic M.I.Hummel figurine will have a Goebel stamp on its underside. Over the years, any change in the backstamp has been a source of excitement for M.I.Hummel collectors. Most of the known marks used over the years are shown here. However, from time to time, a rare and undocumented variation may surface. When purchasing M.I.Hummel products, be sure to shop only at authorized M.I.Hummel establishments. And look carefully for two marks of authenticity -- the M.I.Hummel signature and the Goebel Backstamp. They are your assurance of the continuing excellence and artistry of Goebel. Click here for a more complete listing of marks. M.I. Hummel ®, Hummel ® and M.I. Hummel Club ®, in signature and/or blockforms, are registered trademarks of Goebel Porzellanmanufaktur GmbH, Germany. M.I. Hummel figurines, plates and bells are copyrighted products. All products of Goebel Porzellanmanufaktur GmbH, Germany, are design-patented and copyright protected, all trademarks are registered. © 2008.