Hummels populate Emporium

The Emporium, 106 S. Water St., has a large collection of Hummel figurines for sale.

A 150-piece collection of Hummels was donated to The Emporium by Ahn and Richard Farr, The Emporium volunteers Heather Pollard and Joanne Achen said. As of mid-April, some of the pieces had sold, but many were still available.

They range in price from about $20-$75, Pollard and Achen said. One piece that includes multiple figurines is $400.

In each case, “That’s a bargain,” Pollard said.

The figurines are all in mint condition, she said.

“I’ve never seen a collection like it,” Pollard said. “People still love them – the facial expressions and the beautiful colors.”

Hummels are porcelain figurines based on the drawings of Sister Maria Innocentia Hummel (1909-46), a German Franciscan sister and artist. When the Nazis seized her convent in Germany, she was allowed to continue her art, which generated the main source of income for the sisters there throughout the Nazi occupation. Hummel died of tuberculosis at age 37. Franz Goebel, who owned a porcelain company, began making figurines based on Hummel’s artwork in the 1930s, with interest increasing after the figurines were displayed at the 1935 Leipzig Trade Fair. Goebel discontinued distribution of Hummels in 2008.

Furniture donations needed

Pollard and Achen said The Emporium needs donations of quality furniture to sell, including vintage tables, chairs, bureaus, desks, cabinets and other home décor.

Donations can be dropped off at The Emporium, or it can make arrangements to have them picked up from donors’ homes or places of business at no charge, Pollard said.

The Emporium opened in June 2015 and is staffed entirely by volunteers. 100 percent of its proceeds benefit Mesilla Valley Hospice.

The store is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday- Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.

Call 575-523-8078 (donations) and 575-202-7351. Visit emporiumlc.com and find them on Facebook.