It was during early part of World War II that all work at the Goebel factory in Germany came to a halt in the production of figurines. The demand was still there and the well known Beswick porcelain manufacturer from Beswick, England decided to ask for the license to produce a number of the figurines. Beswick produced a series of Hummel style figures, mainly for export to America and Canada. After the end of the war when Germany were allowed to export again Beswick ceased production. While the back stamp “BESWICK-ENGLAND” indicates that the figurines may have been produced by an established porcelain manufacture. When Royal Doulton bought out the company, they were unable to find any documentation, molds, or references on the Hummel figurines. Nonetheless, this hasn’t deterred claims of legitimacy from many Hummel collectors. There have been as many as eleven different designs that have been identified usually marked with the mold numbers 903 through 914. Some with or without some variation of the Beswick backstamp, or the M.I. Hummel incised signature. Most have “Original Hummel Studios Copyright” inscribed in script letters, with others that have no markings at all. These and the Dubler figurines are much sought after collector items even though they are not authentic M.I. Hummel figurines.
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This page was updated on 5 February 2021.
Beswick 903 – Trumpet Boy
This is the Beswick figurine number 903 was originally sculpted in December of 1940, and is similar to HUM 97 – Trumpet Boy and was found on the WorthPoint website. The wording beneath the base says, “Original Hummel Studios, Copyright, Beswick, England” and has an incised number 903 for the model number. There also appears to be a faint incised “Made in England” on the bottom as well but it is hard to see. The little blond headed boy has his yellow trumpet under his right arm and is wearing a red bow tie, a green plaid jacket, brown pants with suspenders, green matching socks and brown shoes.
Beswick 904 – Bookworm
This is the Beswick figurine, Bookworm, originally sculpted in December of 1940, stamped and incised “Made in England”. There is no M I Hummel signature on this figurine. The Beswick Company was located in England and made Hummel Figurines during World War II when the Hummel figurines could not be made in Germany. Some of the figurines made by them had the M I Hummel signature and some did not. This figurine measures approx. 5-inches tall and has the number 904 inscribed on the bottom. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $175.00.
Beswick 905 – Goose Girl
Height 6″
Decorated in the Faience tradition, this figurine was originally sculpted in December of 1940. Lucky’s Guide has this valued at between $900 and $1,200. There are no chips, cracks or repairs on this example but the piece does have crazing throughout and there are two small flecks of paint missing, one on her dress and another on the back of the gooses foot. Stamped on bottom “Copyright Beswick England” Made in England in 1940 or 1941. This piece does NOT bear “M I Hummel” signature. No cracks or chips. Possible old repair to scarf bow on back. Crazing present. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $100.00.
Beswick 906 – Strolling Along
Height ”
This figurine was originally sculpted in January of 1941. The bottom is marked “Made in England, Beswick England, Copyright.” Incised 906. Beswick was a ceramic company in England and made Hummel type figurines during the war years of 1940 and 1941. Figurine does not have M I Hummel signature on the base. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida was sold for $100.00.
Beswick 907 – ?
This is the Beswick figurine number 907, which is scarce of any information available for this number.
Beswick 908 – Stormy Weather
Height 5¾”
This figurine was originally sculpted in January of 1941. There is no M I Hummel signature on this one. The bottom shows “908 Made in England Copyright Beswick England.” It has the Faience treatment making it show a high gloss. The figurine measures approximately 5¾ inches tall. This one shows no cracks, chips or repairs although crazing is present. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $150.00.
Beswick 909 – Puppy Love
This is the Beswick figurine, Puppy Love, stamped and incised “Made in England”. This figurine was originally sculpted in January of 1941. There is no M I Hummel signature on this figurine. The Beswick Company was located in England and made Hummel Figurines during World War II when the Hummel figurines could not be made in Germany. Some of the figurines made by them had the M I Hummel signature and some did not. This figurine measures approx. 5-inches tall and has the number 909 inscribed on the bottom. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $175.00.
Beswick 910 – Meditation
Height 5¼”
Incised on the bottom is “Made in England”, stamped “Copyright Beswick England.” Made in England 1940 or 1941 having been originally sculpted in January of 1941. Glossy finish. This piece does NOT have M I Hummel signature. The figurine measures approx. 5¼ inches tall. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $100.00.
Beswick 911 – Max and Moritz
This is the Beswick figurine number 911, similar to HUM 123 – Max and Moritz made by the Beswick company between 1941 and 1948. This figurine was originally sculpted in February of 1941. Unfortunately, there is damage to the basket carried by the boy on the right. It is missing the handle. There are no other cracks, chips or crazing . This is a rare piece and is not seen very often, and even with the damage the piece displays well. It has a height of 5¾ inches high. This figurine was located on the WorthPoint website. Second link.
Beswick 912 – Farm Boy
Height ”
This figurine was originally sculpted in March of 1941. This figurine has the MI Hummel signature. In 1940 & 1941 some war time Hummels were made in Beswick, England. Back stamp “Original Hummel Studios” “Copyright”. Figurine has high gloss finish. Crown Era. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida and sold for $175.00.
Beswick 913 – Globe Trotter
Height ”
The bottom is marked “Made in England, Beswick England, Copyright.” Incised 913. This figurine was originally sculpted in March of 1941. The finish has the glossy Faience treatment in which the colors are not true. Beswick was a ceramic company in England and made Hummel type figurines during the war years of 1940 and 1941. This figurine is part of the Donald Deeks Collection held at auction on Saturday, 16 January 2021 in Clearwater, Florida sold for $150.00.
Beswick 914 – Shepherd’s Boy
This is the Beswick figurine number 914, similar to HUM 64 – Shepherd’s Boy and was located on the WorthPoint website. The figurine was originally sculpted in March of 1941.
References
Blackwell Auctions (2021). Blackwell Auctions. Retrieved from https://www.gotoauction.com/sales/view/254997.html
Miller, R. L. (2003). The no. 1 price guide to M.I. Hummel: Figurines, plates, more. 9th Edition. Cumberland, MD: Portfolio Press.
Miller, R. L., Ehrmann, E. W., & Pfeiffer, W. (1989). M.I. Hummel: The Golden Anniversary Album.
Recklinghausen, H. A. V. (2013). Official M. I. Hummel Price Guide, 2nd edition.
Wonsch, L. L. (1987). Hummel copycats, with values: A guide to those other Hummels. Rochester Hills, Mich: Bumblebee Press.
WorthPoint (2020). WorthPoint, Discover, Value, Store. Retrieved from https://www.worthpoint.com/