But the dolls and books are just the beginning - Raggedy Ann and Andy have been so popular over the years that you can find tea sets, games, stationery, figurines, puzzles, sand pails, music boxes, blocks, mugs, ornaments, and even a U.S. There are also dolls of other characters from the books, such as Beloved Belindy and the Camel With the Wrinkled Knees. John Wright, have created their own versions.

In addition to commercial dolls, various artists, including R. The cover photo features early Volland dolls. Here is a partial listing of the makers of commercial Raggedy dolls over the years:įor more information on collecting Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and other items, see Andrew Tabbat’s books. The early Volland dolls are the most desirable and expensive, but there is merchandise to fit every collecting level and budget. There is a multitude of material to choose from. It is great fun collecting Raggedy Ann dolls and books. The book was an instant hit and was soon followed by Raggedy Andy Stories and many other volumes, some of which are still in print today.

Raggedy Ann was always the optimist with her smiling face and sunny disposition, always looking for the good in any person or situation. Gruelle made up stories about Raggedy Ann to tell Marcella. The old rag doll became Marcella’s favorite companion. He refurbished it, giving it a smiling face. Raggedy Ann’s origins were based on an old rag doll that belonged to Johnny Gruelle’s mother, which he had found in the attic. The inspiration for the book was Gruelle’s daughter Marcella, who died in 1915 when she was just 13 years old. It is obvious from the dates that Gruelle always had in mind a doll to accompany the release of the book. The dolls were made by a jobber for Volland, and so collectors refer to these early ones as Volland Raggedy Anns. Raggedy Ann Stories by Johnny Gruelle was first published in 1918, and the first doll came out at the same time. Mini Raggedy Ann, just 7 inches tall, with Knickerbocker label. You might not have recognized the doll as Raggedy Ann because over her 100-year history she has gone through some design changes, one of which was her hair color, which originally was brown, not red as we know her today. But what didn’t change was the message on the heart: “I Love You.” The first Anns were given candy hearts, just like in the Gruelle books, but the candy melted and became sticky, so wooden hearts were substituted. 7 1915.” While you are looking for the stamp on her torso, also look for her wooden heart inside her torso. If you look on the front of her torso, there should be a black stamp that reads “Patented Sept.

I am wondering whether this rag doll would be of interest to a doll collector or if I should just put it in the scrap heap?Ī: Oh, don’t put it in the scrap heap! Yes, it would be of interest to a collector, because you have found an original Raggedy Ann doll designed by Johnny Gruelle, who wrote stories about her. Q: I am settling an estate, and I found this old rag doll in a box with some other dolls which I was able to identify. Early Volland Raggedy Ann with 1915 patent date, original dress and hair, replaced apron.

Raggedy andy hair