What Does It Mean When a Wendt & Kühn Figure “Retires”?

Wendt & Kühn figures are handcrafted treasures that have captured hearts for generations — but not all of them remain in production forever. From time to time, this iconic German workshop announces that a figure will be "retired" — meaning it will no longer be made after a certain year. Once sold out, these pieces become rare collector's items, often cherished even more for their limited availability.

Why Do Figures Retire?

Wendt & Kühn’s collection is vast and growing, with new designs released every year. To make room for new creations, the company occasionally retires some figures. The official list of retiring items is published annually on Wendt & Kühn’s website, and we keep a close eye on it to bring our customers the last chance to own these little works of art. When a figure is retired, it often becomes more valuable—both in sentimental terms and in collector circles. It’s your opportunity to own a part of Wendt & Kühn history.

A Special Kind of Value

For collectors, a retired Wendt & Kühn figure is more than just hard to find — it's a small piece of history. Each figure tells a story, and when it retires, that story becomes finite. These pieces often grow in sentimental and financial value, particularly if they’re tied to milestones (a baby’s birth, a first Christmas, a birthday) or rare characters.

For example:

For example, the Girl with Bird on her Foot—a heartwarming figure of a child with her doll in her lap and a tiny bird perched on her foot—is retiring in 2025. The gentle joy on her face and the astonishing attention to detail make this figure one of our all-time favourites. And once she’s gone, she’s gone.

Or consider the Nesting Box for Starlings—a perfect piece to add height and charm to your Spring Children display. Retiring this year, it has long been a customer favourite for its pop of colour and delightful detail.

How to Know If a Figure Is Retiring

Wendt & Kühn announces the retirement of pieces on their website. In the “Assortment” menu you’ll find the link to the “Available in 2025 for the Last Time”. At Gingerbread World, we keep a close eye on updates from Grünhainichen and will always note in the product description if a figure is in its final year of production. Look for the phrase "Retiring in [Year]" — and if you see it, don’t wait to buy it!

Where do the retired Figures go?

Retired figures are treasured in the legendary Grand Sample Cabinet at Wendt & Kühn's workshops and visitor centre in Grünhainichen. The large cabinet houses and preservces a sample of almost every figure the company has created since its founding in 1915. A compendium gives information about the origin and history of every figurine. Here's me in front of the Grand Cabinet during one of my visits to Germany.

A Chance to Complete or Start a Collection

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just starting out, retiring figures are a beautiful way to add depth and meaning to your display. They remind us that time passes, traditions endure, and joy can be found in the smallest of details.

Join a worldwide Community of Collectors
 
Wendt & Kühn publishes a beautiful magazine every year called the Eleven Dot Post. You can find all the past issues to read online here. 

There are Collectors all over the world and right here in North America who find joy in collecting these tiny treasures. We share their stories from time to time in a special newsletter just for Wendt & Kühn enthusiasts. If you'd like to join our W&K community add your name to this mailing list - click here.

Cheers,

Tamara
Owner at Gingerbread World