Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy


Just a little over a year ago Raggedy Ann turned 100! Hard to believe. This lovable floppy fabric doll started as a fix-up by Johnny Gruelle of a worn out, torn up old doll his daughter Marcella found in the attic. He fixed her up and made her as vibrant as he could. Marcella and the doll she named Raggedy Ann became instant friends.
 
Marcella Gruelle and her mother Myrtle in 1911
Unfortunately, Marcella was to have only a short love affair with Ann as she died at the age of 13 as the result of complications from a smallpox vaccination program at school.
 
1915 Patent by Gruelle for the Design of a Doll
Johnny Gruelle went ahead and got the patent for Raggedy Ann … for the memory of his daughter. Once the doll came to market it was a hit. Gruelle, a cartoonist and illustrator who had signed a publishing contract with P. F. Volland, introduced Raggedy Ann Stories in 1918. He wrote one new book a year for 20 years after that. In 1920, Gruelle introduced Ann’s brother, Raggedy Andy.
The "Cottage" Raggedy Ann, produced by Non-Breakable Toy Company for Volland, circa 1918-1919.
Collection of Raggedys

So many children loved these dolls and stories, that in 1997 Raggedy Ann was put on her own United States postage stamp. In 2002, Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame and five years later her brother Andy received the same honor. “The dolls are reunited in this place of honor—where they belong, together of course, for always.”
 
US Postage Stamp issued in 1997

The two Raggedys in the National Toy Hall of Fame

We occasionally get some vintage copies of Raggedy Ann and Andy books in at Vintages. Right now we have two colorful 1960 editions: Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Nice Fat Policeman and Raggedy Ann’s Wishing Pebble. Both are delightful stories and are filled with playful illustrations. We have these priced at $24 each.





Start your own collection of the dolls or the books or both. You will enjoy having these two little Raggedys around.


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