History of Raggedy Ann Dolls

Perhaps one of the first successful combinations of children's literature and toy marketing, the Raggedy Ann doll was the creation of children's book writer and illustrator Johnny Gruelle. The book "Raggedy Ann Stories" was published in 1918 and the Raggedy Ann doll was marketed successfully with the book. The rag doll is still popular today and is known for her red yarn hair, calico dress, simple white pinafore, candy heart and shoe button eyes.

Features

Other identifying features of the friendly doll are her black cloth shoes, red and white stripped stockings, red nose, rosy cheeks and wide smile.

Time Frame

A brother for the doll was introduced in 1920 when the sequel "Raggedy Andy Stories" was published. Andy wore a sailor suit and a simple cloth hat, often set at a jaunty angle.

History

The illustrations were based on an old rag doll that Gruelle had found in the attic of his home in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Famous Ties

Raggedy Ann's name came from a combined reference to two poems by James Whitcomb Riley, "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie."

Significance

Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2002.

Misconceptions

A popular myth on how the doll was originally created involves Gruelle's young daughter Marcella. The fictional story goes that the child brought her father a rag doll asking that he supply the toy with a face and a toy icon was born.

Resources

• Information on collecting Raggedy Ann Dolls
• Books on collecting Raggedy Ann dolls