Raggedy Ann
Encyclopedia
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
created by American writer Johnny Gruelle
Johnny Gruelle
Johnny Gruelle was an American artist, political cartoonist, children's book author and illustrator . He is known as the creator of Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy...
(1880–1938) in a series of books he wrote and illustrated for young children. Raggedy Ann is a rag doll
Rag doll
A rag doll is a children's toy. It is a cloth figure, a doll traditionally home-made from spare scraps of material. They are one of the most ancient children's toys in existence; the British Museum has a Roman rag doll, found in a child's grave dating from 300 BC.Rag dolls have featured in a...
with red yarn for hair and has a triangle nose. The character was created in 1915 as a doll, and was introduced to the public in the 1918 book Raggedy Ann Stories. A doll was also marketed along with the book to great success. A sequel, Raggedy Andy Stories (1920) introduced the character of her brother, Raggedy Andy, dressed in sailor suit and hat.
Origins
Gruelle created Raggedy Ann for his daughter, Marcella, when she brought him an old hand-made rag doll and he drew a face on it. From his bookshelf, he pulled a book of poems by James Whitcomb RileyJames Whitcomb Riley
James Whitcomb Riley was an American writer, poet, and best selling author. During his lifetime he was known as the Hoosier Poet and Children's Poet for his dialect works and his children's poetry respectively...
, and combined the names of two poems, "The Raggedy Man" and "Little Orphant Annie
Little Orphant Annie
"Little Orphant Annie" is an 1885 poem written by James Whitcomb Riley and published by the Bowen-Merrill Company. First titled "The Elf Child", Riley changed the name to "Little Orphant Allie" at its third printing, however a typecasting error during printing renamed the poem to its current form...
." He said, "Why don’t we call her Raggedy Ann?"
Marcella died at age 13 after being vaccinated
Vaccination
Vaccination is the administration of antigenic material to stimulate the immune system of an individual to develop adaptive immunity to a disease. Vaccines can prevent or ameliorate the effects of infection by many pathogens...
at school for smallpox
Smallpox
Smallpox was an infectious disease unique to humans, caused by either of two virus variants, Variola major and Variola minor. The disease is also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera, which is a derivative of the Latin varius, meaning "spotted", or varus, meaning "pimple"...
without her parents' consent. Authorities blamed a heart defect, but her parents blamed the vaccination. Gruelle became an opponent of vaccination, and the Raggedy Ann doll was used as a symbol by the anti-vaccination movement.
Raggedy Ann dolls were originally handmade. Later, PF Volland, a Gruelle book publisher, made the dolls. In 1935 Volland ceased operation and Ann and Andy were made, under Gruelle's permission, by Exposition Dolls and without permission (during legal limbo), MollyE's Dolls, resulting in Gruelle v (Mollye) Goldman
Toys and adaptations into other media
Raggedy Ann & Andy dolls-
- P.F. Volland Co. 1920-1934
- Exposition doll and Toy Co. 1934-mid 1935(less than 1 yr. production RARE)
- MollyE's Doll Outfitters (without permission) 1935-1938
- Georgene Novelties 1938-1962
- Knickerbocker Toy Co. 1963-1982
- Applause Toy Co./Russ Berrie 1983-present
- Hasbro/Playskool 1983–Present (Master License)
- Simon and Schuster(books and other media) - Present
Although it is said Raggedy Ann and Andy are now considered in the public domain, scores of handmade Raggedy Ann/Andy dolls have been created since the 1940s to present.
-
- 1940 McCall's Pattern #820 first appeared for a 19-in. dolls, Ann doll comes with cape pattern
- 1945? McCall's Pattern #914 for Awake/Asleep dolls plus camel with the wrinkled knees
- 1958 McCall's Pattern #820 appeared with a slightly modified pattern for both dolls
- 1963 McCall's Pattern #6941 Ann pattern has lost her cape, dolls now come in 3 sizes
- 1970 McCall's Pattern #2531 Dolls come in 3 sizes but simplified pattern and different hair and face embroidery pattern, loss of button eyes
- 1970? new McCall's Pattern for 35in dolls plus apron child can wear
- 1977 McCall's Pattern #5713 HEIGHT of Raggedy mania, identical as previous #2531 pattern, different cover
- 1982 McCall's Pattern #8077 re-issue of previous patterns with NEW cover with dolls with different hair color
McCall's has produced identical #2531 patterns to present date with only a change in cover design. Simplicity Patterns released a licensed doll pattern for a different design doll that included all 4 sizes in the late 90's, though the well-known McCall's Raggedy Ann/Andy pattern was still available. Both patterns are still available today.
Many subsequent books were published and the characters made their way into other media, including:
- A series of animated Fleischer StudiosFleischer StudiosFleischer Studios, Inc., was an American corporation which originated as an Animation studio located at 1600 Broadway, New York City, New York...
/Famous StudiosFamous StudiosFamous Studios was the animation division of the film studio Paramount Pictures from 1942 to 1967. Famous was founded as a successor company to Fleischer Studios, after Paramount acquired the aforementioned studio and ousted its founders, Max and Dave Fleischer, in 1941...
shorts:- Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy (1941 film)Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy (1941 film)Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy is a two-reel cartoon produced by Fleischer Studios and released on April 11, 1941.-Summary:The short begins with a little girl, who wanted to buy the "beautiful girl doll" but toyshop owner tells her that the two rag dolls must be sold together: the dolls' right hands...
(1941) - Suddenly It's Spring (1944)
- The Enchanted SquareThe Enchanted SquareThe Enchanted Square is a two-reel cartoon produced by Famous Studios and released on May 9, 1947.-External links:* on YouTube...
(1947)
- Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy (1941 film)
- A comic bookComic bookA comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by Dell ComicsDell ComicsDell Comics was the comic book publishing arm of Dell Publishing, which got its start in pulp magazines. It published comics from 1929 to 1973. At its peak, it was the most prominent and successful American company in the medium...
. - A 1977 animated feature, Raggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical AdventureRaggedy Ann & Andy: A Musical AdventureRaggedy Ann and Andy: A Musical Adventure is a 1977 American animated film directed by Richard Williams. It was produced by the Bobbs-Merrill Company, and released by 20th Century Fox...
, directed by Richard Williams - Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus CaperRaggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus CaperRaggedy Ann and Andy in The Great Santa Claus Caper, a.k.a. simply The Great Santa Claus Caper, is a 1978 animated television special featuring Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy.-Synopsis:...
(1978) a Christmas television special directed by Chuck JonesChuck JonesCharles Martin "Chuck" Jones was an American animator, cartoon artist, screenwriter, producer, and director of animated films, most memorably of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for the Warner Bros. Cartoons studio... - Raggedy Ann and Andy in The Pumpkin Who Couldn’t SmileRaggedy Ann and Andy in The Pumpkin Who Couldn’t SmileRaggedy Ann and Andy in The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile, a.k.a. simply The Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile, is a 1979 animated television special featuring Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy. It later aired on the Disney Channel every year around the time of Halloween along with Casper's Halloween Special, The...
(1979) a Halloween television special also directed by Chuck JonesChuck JonesCharles Martin "Chuck" Jones was an American animator, cartoon artist, screenwriter, producer, and director of animated films, most memorably of Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies shorts for the Warner Bros. Cartoons studio... - A 1988–1992 animated television series, The Adventures of Raggedy Ann and AndyThe Adventures of Raggedy Ann and AndyThe Adventures of Raggedy Ann and Andy is an American animated TV series that aired 17 September 1988 and ended in 1990. It is based on the dolls Raggedy Ann and Andy by Johnny Gruelle...
While Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster
Simon & Schuster, Inc., a division of CBS Corporation, is a publisher founded in New York City in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster. It is one of the four largest English-language publishers, alongside Random House, Penguin and HarperCollins...
and Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
claim to own trademarks to the Raggedy Ann and/or Raggedy Ann and Andy names, the original 1915 doll design and 1918 and 1920 books are in the public domain, their copyright having expired. Books and films published after 1950 are protected by copyright.
Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame
National Toy Hall of Fame
The National Toy Hall of Fame is an American hall of fame that recognizes the contributions of toys and games that have sustained their popularity for many years...
in 2002. Raggedy Andy joined her in 2007.
Books
It appears that many books were released and credited to Johnny Gruelle after his death, regardless of who actually wrote and illustrated them. Noted artist Ethel HaysEthel Hays
Ethel Hays was an American syndicated cartoonist specializing in flapper-themed comic strips in the 1920s and 1930s. She drew in an art deco style. In the later part of her career, during the 1940s and 1950s, she became one of the country's most accomplished children's book illustrators.-Early...
illustrated most of the stories that were published beginning in 1944 by the Saalfield Publishing Company.
- Raggedy Ann Stories (1918) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Andy Stories (1920) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Camel with the Wrinkled Knees (1924) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Andy's Number Book (1924) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Wishing Pebble (1925) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Alphabet Book (1925) by Johnny Gruelle
- Beloved Belindy (1926) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- The Paper Dragon: A Raggedy Ann Adventure (1926) by Johnny Gruelle
- Wooden Willie (1927) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Fairy Stories (1928) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Magical Wishes (1928) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Marcella: A Raggedy Ann Story (1929) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann in the Deep Deep Woods (1930) written and illustrated by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Sunny Songs (1930) words and illustrations by Johnny Gruelle, music by Will Woodin
- Raggedy Ann in Cookie Land (1931) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann's Lucky Pennies (1932) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann in the Golden Meadow (1935) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and the Left-Handed Safety Pin (1935)
- Raggedy Ann's Joyful Songs (1937) words and illustrations by Johnny Gruelle, music by Chas. Miller
- Raggedy Ann in the Magic Book (1939) written by Johnny Gruelle, illustrated by Worth Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and the Laughing Brook (1940) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and the Golden Butterfly (1940) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and the Hoppy Toad (1940)
- Raggedy Ann Helps Grandpa Hoppergrass (1940) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann Goes Sailing (1941)
- Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Nice Fat Policeman (1942) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and Betsy Bonnet String (1943) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and Andy (1944)
- Raggedy Ann in the Snow White Castle (1946)
- Raggedy Ann's Adventures (1947)
- Raggedy Ann and the Slippery Slide (1947)
- Raggedy Ann's Mystery (1947)
- Raggedy Ann and Marcella's First Day At School (1952)
- Raggedy Ann's Merriest Christmas (1952) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Andy's Surprise (1953)
- Raggedy Ann's Tea Party (1954)
- Raggedy Ann's Secret (1959)
- Raggedy Ann and the Golden Ring (1961)
- Raggedy Ann and the Hobby Horse (1961) by Johnny Gruelle
- Raggedy Ann and the Happy Meadow (1961)
- Raggedy Ann and the Wonderful Witch (1961)
- Raggedy Ann and the Tagalong Present (1971)
- Raggedy Andy's Treasure Hunt (1973)
- Raggedy Ann's Cooking School (1974)
- Raggedy Granny Stories (1977) by Doris Thorner Salzberg
Raggedy Ann and Andy in popular culture
Gruelle's home town, Arcola, IllinoisArcola, Illinois
Arcola is a city in Douglas County, Illinois, United States. The population was 2,916 at the 2010 census. The city was founded in 1855, when the Illinois Central Railroad was built through the county...
, is home to the annual Raggedy Ann & Andy Festival, as well as the Raggedy Ann and Andy Museum.
The Japanese video game company Hudson Entertainment created a character based on Raggedy Ann in its Xbox Live Bomberman
Bomberman
Bomberman is a strategic, maze-based computer and video game franchise originally developed by Hudson Soft. The original game was published in 1983 and new games in the series are still being published to this day. Today, the commercially successful Bomberman is featured in over 70 different games...
game called Raggedy Bomb.
Raggedy Ann was presented as an original musical at New York State Theatre Institute
New York State Theatre Institute
-History:In 1974, the New York State Legislature enacted legislation creating the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute . In 1982, through a collaboration with "the Egg" it became known as the Empire State Institute for the Performing Arts...
in the 1980s.
On March 27, 2002, Raggedy Ann was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame
National Toy Hall of Fame
The National Toy Hall of Fame is an American hall of fame that recognizes the contributions of toys and games that have sustained their popularity for many years...
.
In October 1986, Raggedy Ann, The Musical Adventure, starring Ivy Austin
Ivy Austin
Ivy Austin is an American actress, singer, and voice-over artist. Best known for her performances on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion and her Sesame Street voices, Ivy Austin also starred on Broadway in Raggedy Ann.-Early life and education:Ivy Austin is a graduate of the High School of...
, opened on Broadway at The Nederlander Theater.
External links
- The Official Raggedy Ann Website (Simon and Schuster books)
- Raggedy Ann Stories from Project GutenbergProject GutenbergProject Gutenberg is a volunteer effort to digitize and archive cultural works, to "encourage the creation and distribution of eBooks". Founded in 1971 by Michael S. Hart, it is the oldest digital library. Most of the items in its collection are the full texts of public domain books...
- Raggedy Ann and Andy: History and Legend by Patricia Hall
- The Johnny Gruelle Raggedy Ann & Andy Museum in Arcola, Illinois