Goebel Hummel Prices
Like much of the stock market, there has been quite a swing in collectible pricing over the past several months. Those adorable German made Goebel Hummels have been moving around as much as the price of crude oil. Collectors who buy Hummels because the love them have been taking advantage of some wonderful market prices. Collectors who buy as an investiment, however, may be feeling a little weary. The Goebel Hummel pricing has been affected by more than just the tough economic climate in America. Lladro Figurines have not seen nearly as much swing in pricing. Last July there were rumors that Goebel was discontinuing the line. Later there was the announcement. Now there are rumors that the line will continue. Whether the line continues or is permanently retired should have little bearing on the collectibility of the product. The trademark of the company changed frequently and collectors are partial to different trademarks regardless of whether or not more will be made. Some collectors prefer only the latest and greatest while others purchase only Royal Crowns, Big Bees, Full Bees or whatever their fancy.
The declining price of Goebel Hummel figurines, instead, is more likely an indication of the growing number of collectors who are retired themselves. Face it, the housing market and American economy has affected most those people who were counting on selling their homes in order to retire. There are simply too many Goebel Hummel figurines on the market to float above the law of supply and demand. That said, this is a tremendous time to buy Hummels. When the economy turns and our retiring community can get out of the homes with some of their nest egg back, the market is likely to dry up until prices return. Sure they may never return to book value, but those values were more for insurance purposes than resale. Rare Hummels, unique editions, older TMK’s and the like will once again capture top dollar from collectors. Regardless of what the good folks at Goebel decide, they will not be adding any supply to the rare pieces or older TMK’s. Collectors looking for good buys should take advantage of this market to complete collections or partial collections (like musical Hummels or professional Hummels) and especially watch for great buys in rare pieces. By this time next year that just may well have been the best investment made.