| The origin of Raggedy Ann, and her little brother Raggedy
Andy - the best known rag dolls in the world. Their creator,
cartoonist-illustrator-author Johnny Gruelle, was born in
Arcola, Illinois in 1880, the son of artist Richard Gruelle.
As an adult, Johnny became a political cartoonist for several
midwestern newspapers. In 1910, he became a freelance illustrator,
moving to the East Coast, where he developed a cartoon strip
with The New York Herald and illustrated several books.
In 1915, nostalgic diversions such as homemade and hand-crafted
objects were becoming popular, and this fit well with what
Gruelle was creating: Raggedy Ann. |
|
 Raggedy
Ann and Andy (her little brother) are the best known rag dolls in the world as well as characters in fantasy tales. The creation
of the first Raggedy Ann doll was inspired by his daughter Marcella. She had found a tattered rag doll in her Grandmother's attic.
Her father used his cartooning pen and applied a new, whimsical face to the doll. The name for the doll came from two poems by James
Whitcomb Riley - "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphan Annie."
Marcella Gruelle died at age 13, from an
infected small pox vaccination. In the same month as Marcella's
death, Johnny Gruelle had been granted final approval
by the U.S. Patent office for his rag doll. As Johnny
Gruelle worked on finishing the stories, he often glanced
up at one of the few keepsakes of his daughter -- Marcella's
own tattered doll. On Christmas 1918, the world was introduced
to Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Ann Stories. In this, as well
as in Gruelle's subsequent Raggedy books, Marcella was
a recurring character. In 1929, Johnny Gruelle gave Marcella
her own volume of tales, entitled Marcella:
A Raggedy Ann Story.
|
|
Raggedy Ann & Raggedy Andy at Little Annie's Attic
|
Be sure to visit Little
Annie's Attic, an incredible store specializing in Raggedy
Ann and Raggedy Andy classic and limited edition dolls,
related toys, party supplies, cards, gifts. |
Bear in wheelchair cute and collectible figurine is the first in a series of Crooked Critter Collectibles, designed by Crooked Rainbows, featuring animals
with physical challenges. |
|
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