Raggedy Ann, Raggedy Andy and Other Rag Dolls

Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy are fictional characters that were created by Johnny Gruelle. It was basically a series of books that he wrote and illustrated for children. Basically, Raggedy Ann is a rag doll with a hair made out of red yarn. She has a triangle nose. Created in 1915 as a doll, it was introduced to the public in the 1918 as a book titled the Raggedy Ann Stories.

The Raggedy Ann doll was marketed along the book and was one of the most successful toys and books in the United States if not the world.

The toy and the book was so successful that a sequel was produced, which was called the Raggedy Andy Stories. Raggedy Andy, which was Raggedy Ann's brother, was introduced. He was dressed in a sailor suit and hat and was also very successful.

Raggedy Ann was originally made for Marcella, who was Johnny Gruelle's daughter. Gruelle brought an old hand-made rag doll and drew a face on it. From this humble beginning, this created one of the most successful dolls in history.

The name Raggedy Ann was derived from a combination of two poems, which were the Raggedy Man and Little Orphan Annie. With this, Gruelle suggested that the doll be called Raggedy Ann.

Marcella died at the age of 13 when she was vaccinated at school for smallpox without the consent of her parents. The authorities blamed it on heart defect but her parents blamed the vaccination. Because of this, Gruelle became an opponent of vaccination and the Raggedy Ann doll was used as a symbol by the anti-vaccination movement.

Originally, Raggedy Ann dolls were handmade. Later on, PF Vollman, who was the publisher of Gruelle's books made the dolls. However, in 1935, Vollman ceased operations and the production of the dolls was completely under Gruelle's permission.

Up until today, you will find that every little girl's best friend is the rag doll. If you do a little research, you will see that in every era, you will find a picture of a little girl with her handmade rag doll.

Back in those days, people went by with handmade items. They usually made their own clothes. Because there were leftover fabrics or scraps of fabrics, people thought about using them instead of letting them go to waste. This was when rag dolls were developed.

Back then, a well deserving child would get a rag doll as a gift. In some cases, they usually get one or two rag dolls during her childhood life.

Before Raggedy Ann was created, the rag dolls didn't have any face or hair or even clothes like what you would see in rag dolls today.

Thanks to Gruelle, this was when Raggedy Ann was introduced in to the public.

Raggedy Ann is so simple in design that even your grandmother is able to make it. Raggedy Ann dolls originally have button eyes, diamond-shaped nose, and brown or red hair.

Although rag dolls were created way before Raggedy Ann was invented, people today think of rag dolls as Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy.

Because of the popularity of rag dolls, rag dolls today are still a big part of a little girl's life. The great thing about rag dolls is that it can be carried around and it can be patched up if she accidentally or intentionally rips it. The dress of the rag doll can be changed if it is dirty and the dolls really do bring pleasure and enjoyment in to a little girl's life.

The Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy dolls can be found almost anywhere around the world. There are even websites that can teach you how to make your own.

Today, you will find people collecting raggedy dolls of the years that pass by. This is a great collection for everyone to have and it is also a great gift idea for little girls.

The rag dolls are definitely a part of history. In almost every generation, you will find little girls who own rag dolls or Raggedy Ann or Raggedy Andy dolls. You will find that rag dolls exist in every culture from different parts of the world.