Since I was a little girl...I have always loved raggedy ann and andy
The Origins of Raggedy Ann
Raggedy Ann was introduced to the world in 1918 by Johnny Gruelle, a well-known
political
cartoonist and illustrator of children's books. The character debuted in
Raggedy Ann Stories
(Chicago:Volland, 1918), a children's book containing 12 stories about the rag
doll. Her little
brother, Raggedy Andy, was introduced by Gruelle in 1920, in Raggedy Andy
Stories
(Chicago:Volland, 1920). The original Raggedy Ann doll belonged to Gruelle's
mother. It was found in an attic chest by his daughter, Marcella. This doll had
no face, and it was Gruelle who put the famous black eyes, triangle nose, and
separated mouth on that original doll.
Marcella Gruelle was suffering from the effects of being inoculated twice with
the powerful smallpox vaccine. To keep up her spirits, Johnny Gruelle created
stories about Raggedy Ann to keep his daughter entertained. In 1915, Marcella
succumbed to the infection and died. Three years later, Gruelle wrote Raggedy
Ann Stories in her memory.
To aid in the selling of books, the Gruelle Family created a doll that was sold
along with it. Although the Raggedy Ann books were successful, the dolls became
more popular.
Books, dolls and other items about Raggedy Ann, Andy and the other characters
created by
Gruelle proliferate to this day. There are Raggedy Ann collectors all over the
country.
The United States Postal Service must like ann and andy an awful lot.
They gave her her own postage stamp. It was issued in the fall of 1997
This little rag doll was found at the
Mouse Pad
Here are some buttons you can use with this background
The graphics used in the Dusty Corner are copied..this background was made from
graphics found at
Charlotte's Web Page
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