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Collector’s Corner · Our original factory visit

Where little
treasures begin.

Join us inside the Goebel M. I. Hummel factory for a personal look at the people, artistry, and care behind the figurines we love.

Explore our factory photo tour ↓
Visitors outside the Goebel M. I. Hummel factory
A treasured memory from our original factory visit.

A photographic keepsake from our earlier website. These images document our visit and the production methods shown at that time.

01 / The factory tour

A warm welcome

Our visit began outside the Goebel M. I. Hummel factory, followed by a welcome inside and a look around the showroom. These photographs preserve the people and moments that made the trip special.

Suzanne and her companion outside the Goebel M. I. Hummel factory.
Suzanne and her companion outside the Goebel M. I. Hummel factory.
Meeting William Nelson outside the factory.
Meeting William Nelson outside the factory.
William Nelson welcomes the tour group.
William Nelson welcomes the tour group.
Suzanne in the factory showroom.
Suzanne in the factory showroom.
Our tour guide, Ulrike Goetz, greets the visitors.
Our tour guide, Ulrike Goetz, greets the visitors.
Gerhard Skrobek with Mr. and Mrs. Miller.
Gerhard Skrobek with Mr. and Mrs. Miller.
Mrs. Miller receives an 80th birthday Hummel from Mr. Wahner.
Mrs. Miller receives an 80th birthday Hummel from Mr. Wahner.
A memorable meeting with Mr. Wahner.
A memorable meeting with Mr. Wahner.
02 / The factory tour

From a drawing to a figurine

Inside the sculpting studio, we saw how a two-dimensional image becomes a three-dimensional model. Displays of individual parts and molds revealed the work behind each familiar figure.

From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 9 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 9 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 10 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 10 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 11 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 11 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 12 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 12 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 13 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 13 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 14 from our factory visit.
From a drawing to a figurine — photograph 14 from our factory visit.
03 / The factory tour

The making of the molds

The tour continued through the mold-making and storage areas. Rows of carefully arranged molds showed how much preparation goes into producing each figurine.

The making of the molds — photograph 15 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 15 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 16 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 16 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 17 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 17 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 18 from our factory visit.
The making of the molds — photograph 18 from our factory visit.
04 / The factory tour

Bringing the pieces together

In the assembly room, craftspeople cleaned and joined the separate parts. The photographs offer a close look at the patient handwork that gives each figure its shape.

Bringing the pieces together — photograph 19 from our factory visit.
Bringing the pieces together — photograph 19 from our factory visit.
Bringing the pieces together — photograph 20 from our factory visit.
Bringing the pieces together — photograph 20 from our factory visit.
05 / The factory tour

Into the kiln

Assembled figurines were arranged on racks for firing and then allowed to cool. Our tour photographs capture the kilns and the many pieces moving through this stage.

Into the kiln — photograph 21 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 21 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 22 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 22 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 23 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 23 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 24 from our factory visit.
Into the kiln — photograph 24 from our factory visit.
06 / The factory tour

A protective finishing layer

Next came glazing. The original tour showed the glazing equipment, coated figurines, and the opening that lets gases escape during firing. Another firing prepared the pieces for painting.

A protective finishing layer — photograph 25 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 25 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 26 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 26 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 27 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 27 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 28 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 28 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 29 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 29 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 30 from our factory visit.
A protective finishing layer — photograph 30 from our factory visit.
07 / The factory tour

Personality, painted by hand

At the painting benches, artists worked on one figurine at a time. Faces, clothing, and tiny details gradually brought the figures to life. This gallery celebrates the care behind those familiar expressions.

Personality, painted by hand — photograph 31 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 31 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 32 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 32 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 33 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 33 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 34 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 34 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 35 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 35 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 36 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 36 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 37 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 37 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 38 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 38 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 39 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 39 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 40 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 40 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 41 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 41 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 42 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 42 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 43 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 43 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 44 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 44 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 45 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 45 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 46 from our factory visit.
Personality, painted by hand — photograph 46 from our factory visit.
08 / The factory tour

Ready for a new home

The final photographs close our journey through the factory. After painting and a final firing, finished figurines could be prepared for their journey to collectors.

Ready for a new home — photograph 47 from our factory visit.
Ready for a new home — photograph 47 from our factory visit.
Ready for a new home — photograph 48 from our factory visit.
Ready for a new home — photograph 48 from our factory visit.
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