Raggedy Ann: A Doll for all Ages
The Unaccountable Success of a Rag Doll
Raggedy Ann's red yarn hair, floppy body, and sweet smile have endeared her to millions of children.
A Successful Brand
Raggedy Ann is the oldest recognizable American doll brand. She was introduced to the world in 1918 and has flourished for generations. The reason for her success is unknown but the most likely reason is that her image as a handmade rag doll makes people wistful for the past, their past.
A Legend
The well-known story of Raggedy Ann’s discovery is that Marcella Gruelle was exploring her grandmother’s attic when she found a doll. The doll was old, tired-looking, and missing an eye. But Marcella loved her and rushed with the doll to her father’s office. Johnny was understanding, painted a new face on the doll, and made her alive again.
It is said that then Johnny pulled a book by his favorite poet James Whitcomb Riley off the shelf and suggested that they name the doll after two of the poems, “The Raggedy Man,” and “Little Orphan Annie” and thus she was named Raggedy Ann.
Did it happen this way? Who knows? What is known is that Marcella loved a rag doll and her father paid attention. He watched his daughter play and filed away his observations to be used as the basis for his stories. Soon he incorporated the doll into his comic strip Mr. Twee Deedle where she made regular appearances until one day in 1915.
On September 7, Johnny Gruelle was notified that the design patent for Raggedy Ann was accepted.
A Tragedy
Despite the go-ahead that receiving the patent gave to Gruelle, he waited for three years to introduce her to the world. He was distracted by something much more important. Marcella was sick. For some reason, Marcella was given two vaccinations rather than one and the results were tragic.
Marcella was very ill for months. While she lay dying, Johnny would comfort her and distract her by reading her stories that he had written. Marcella did not recover and she died shortly after turning thirteen.
A Resurrection of Sorts
Despite the crushing despair such events cause, the Gruelle’s did none of the expected things when confronted with the tragedy. They did not divorce, become addicted to a painkiller, or sue the school. Johnny moved forward and in 1918, he was ready to introduce Raggedy Ann to the world.
The first Raggedy Ann dolls sold were based on handmade prototypes made by the Gruelle’s. Raggedy Ann “wore a helpless yet happy expression, disheveled clothes, twisted yarn hair, and overall ragamuffin appearance. Her arms seemed to be perpetually turned outward waiting for a child’s hug.” (Walsh, 38)
The first book about Raggedy Ann “Raggedy Ann Stories” was released just in time for the 1918 Christmas shopping season. The dedication reflects much about the gestation of Raggedy Ann “As I write this, I have before me on my desk, propped up against the telephone, an old rag doll...what joy and happiness you have brought into this world! And no matter what treatment you have received, how patient you have been! What lessons of kindness and fortitude you might teach could you but talk...So, to millions of children and grown-ups who have loved a Rag Doll, I dedicate these stories of Raggedy Ann.”
Fame
The love of children has been good to Raggedy Ann. She is famous the world over and has a coveted position in the National Toy Hall of Fame. She also has a museum dedicated to her and her beloved brother Raggedy Andy. The museum, The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum is located in Arcola, Illinois.
Sources
Walsh, Tim. Timeless Toys: Classic Toys and the Playmakers Who Created Them. Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2005.
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