Hummel Figurine

Q: I’m a regular reader of your column in my local newspaper and have learned a lot of interesting things. I inherited this Hummel figurine from my grandmother. It’s about 8 inches tall. My own attempts to learn more about it have led to a variety of opinions, ranging from “a highly desirable collectible” to “a mass-produced piece of junk.” I remember it sitting on my grandmother’s shelf since at least the early 1950s. Since this is a personal keepsake, I’m not interested in selling it. I would just like to know what I have here.